Stack's Bowers & Ponterio
August 2017 Hong Kong Auction - Sess. A-E 14-16 Aug 2017
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ANNAM. Hand Engraved Lang Gold Currency Bar, ND. Tu Duc (1848-83).
43 x 12 x 5 mm; 36.20 gms. cf.KM-238(for type of different ruler); cf.Sch-190(for type of different ruler); Fr-50(5th edition, for basic type); cf.Yunnan Coin Research Association-pg. 323 #39/40(for basic type); cf.Paris Administration of Money and Medals-V305 & V306(for basic type); Thierry-unlisted. EXCEEDINGLY RARE. Hand inscribed Chinese characters "Tu Duc Nien Tao" within rectangle border; Reverse: Hand inscribed Chinese characters "Hoang Kim Nhat Lang" within rectangle border. Edge with hand inscribed vine/floral design, hand inscribed square at top and circle at bottom. The basic types for these are very similar to their silver counterparts with characters and border in relief and like other gold issues used the same dies as the silver issues. Much care was taken in the production of this type as each was engraved by hand and as such each is unique in a sense. The only other examples of this hand inscribed type that we were able to locate are of different rulers and are the plate coin in Krause Ex: King Farouk collection sold by Sotheby's in 1954 of Emperor Minh Mang which sold in 2014 for $18,000 hammer and the example from the Dr. Lawrence A. Adams collection sold by Classical Numismatic Group (CNG) January 5, 2016 of Emperor Gia Long where it sold at $13,000 hammer. Born 22 September 1829 as Prince Nguyen Phuc Hong Nham he succeeded his father Emperor Theiu Tri who died 4 November 1847. His father passed over his eldest son Hong Bao who was more of a moderate than his younger brother with his steadfast Confucian beliefs and who was opposed to foreigners and innovations. Though he reigned for more than 35 years his rule was not an easy one. He struggled with familial conflict, religious suppression, European conquest and hundreds of rebellions. Despite having an enormous harem he had no children as a case of smallpox left him impotent. He is considered the last Emperor of Annam (Vietnam) as an independent ruler. According to legend with his dying breath he cursed the French. After his death his adopted son Duc Duc became emperor, but was deposed by court officials after only three days on the throne. Lightly toned and attractive with no major defects to speak of. Historically significant, highly important and of the utmost rarity sure to excite even the most advanced collector of Annamese. EXTREMELY FINE.
Estimate: $10000.00- $15000.00
43 x 12 x 5 mm; 36.20 gms. cf.KM-238(for type of different ruler); cf.Sch-190(for type of different ruler); Fr-50(5th edition, for basic type); cf.Yunnan Coin Research Association-pg. 323 #39/40(for basic type); cf.Paris Administration of Money and Medals-V305 & V306(for basic type); Thierry-unlisted. EXCEEDINGLY RARE. Hand inscribed Chinese characters "Tu Duc Nien Tao" within rectangle border; Reverse: Hand inscribed Chinese characters "Hoang Kim Nhat Lang" within rectangle border. Edge with hand inscribed vine/floral design, hand inscribed square at top and circle at bottom. The basic types for these are very similar to their silver counterparts with characters and border in relief and like other gold issues used the same dies as the silver issues. Much care was taken in the production of this type as each was engraved by hand and as such each is unique in a sense. The only other examples of this hand inscribed type that we were able to locate are of different rulers and are the plate coin in Krause Ex: King Farouk collection sold by Sotheby's in 1954 of Emperor Minh Mang which sold in 2014 for $18,000 hammer and the example from the Dr. Lawrence A. Adams collection sold by Classical Numismatic Group (CNG) January 5, 2016 of Emperor Gia Long where it sold at $13,000 hammer. Born 22 September 1829 as Prince Nguyen Phuc Hong Nham he succeeded his father Emperor Theiu Tri who died 4 November 1847. His father passed over his eldest son Hong Bao who was more of a moderate than his younger brother with his steadfast Confucian beliefs and who was opposed to foreigners and innovations. Though he reigned for more than 35 years his rule was not an easy one. He struggled with familial conflict, religious suppression, European conquest and hundreds of rebellions. Despite having an enormous harem he had no children as a case of smallpox left him impotent. He is considered the last Emperor of Annam (Vietnam) as an independent ruler. According to legend with his dying breath he cursed the French. After his death his adopted son Duc Duc became emperor, but was deposed by court officials after only three days on the throne. Lightly toned and attractive with no major defects to speak of. Historically significant, highly important and of the utmost rarity sure to excite even the most advanced collector of Annamese. EXTREMELY FINE.
Estimate: $10000.00- $15000.00