Stack's Bowers & Ponterio
April 2018 Hong Kong Auction - Sess. A-E 2-4 Apr 2018
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CHINA. Chihli (Pei Yang Arsenal). Pattern Tael Trial Strike, ND (ca. 1899-1900). PCGS SP-53 Secure Holder.
KM-Pn3; CCC-298; K-pg. 331-32; Duan-Unlisted; CL-Unlisted. Struck in brass with plain edge. EXTREMELY RARE. Proposed design for a Tael series based on the gold standard. The obverse inscription reads counterclockwise "Běiyáng jīqì jú" (Beiyang(Pei Yang) Machinery Bureau)) with the character "Kù" (Treasury), as in Kuping Tael, at center surrounded by beaded border. The reverse has the denomination inscribed as "Yī liǎng" (One Tael) flanked by two dragons. Around the turn of the 20th century it was observed that the value of copper and silver coins varied quite a bit from province to province and in some instances from within the province of issue. The suggestion was made to switch to a gold standard which lead to a number of proposals with none actually coming to fruition. The present specimen is an example of one of those proposals that made it to trial striking for presentation. On November 1, 1919 when Dr. Giuseppe Ros wrote about Chinese Tael coinage in the "North China Herald" he did not fully understand the significance of these pieces stating "Proofs in bronze are known (I have seen 3 specimens) of a coin of small diameter - about 20-cents size - with 庫(Kù) in the center of the obverse and legend around 北洋機器局 (Běiyáng jīqì jú); and 一兩 (Yī liǎng): 1 Tael, encircled by 2 dragons, on reverse." The same can be said about Edward Kann when he cites Ros' article and goes on to state "It is not clear whether or not Dr. Ros referred to an intended 2-mace PEIYANG proof coin; for it is most unlikely that a coin for 1 Tael should ever have been designed in this size of a 20-cents piece. As Dr. Ros was a serious minded numismatist, his words are cited here, though we feel unable to place proper meaning on them." It is clear that neither Ros nor Kann suspected that these pieces were trials of gold coins struck in copper or brass for presentation purposes. A plausible explanation for why this series never made it into full production and abandoned could be due to the outbreak of the boxer rebellion which lasted from 2 November 1899 - 7 September 1901. Sharply struck with the design features in high relief. Attractive mottled olive and mocha patina throughout. Very interesting and fully deserving of further in depth research from the specialist. PCGS SP-53 Secure Holder.
From the Q. David Bowers Collection.
KM-Pn3; CCC-298; K-pg. 331-32; Duan-Unlisted; CL-Unlisted. Struck in brass with plain edge. EXTREMELY RARE. Proposed design for a Tael series based on the gold standard. The obverse inscription reads counterclockwise "Běiyáng jīqì jú" (Beiyang(Pei Yang) Machinery Bureau)) with the character "Kù" (Treasury), as in Kuping Tael, at center surrounded by beaded border. The reverse has the denomination inscribed as "Yī liǎng" (One Tael) flanked by two dragons. Around the turn of the 20th century it was observed that the value of copper and silver coins varied quite a bit from province to province and in some instances from within the province of issue. The suggestion was made to switch to a gold standard which lead to a number of proposals with none actually coming to fruition. The present specimen is an example of one of those proposals that made it to trial striking for presentation. On November 1, 1919 when Dr. Giuseppe Ros wrote about Chinese Tael coinage in the "North China Herald" he did not fully understand the significance of these pieces stating "Proofs in bronze are known (I have seen 3 specimens) of a coin of small diameter - about 20-cents size - with 庫(Kù) in the center of the obverse and legend around 北洋機器局 (Běiyáng jīqì jú); and 一兩 (Yī liǎng): 1 Tael, encircled by 2 dragons, on reverse." The same can be said about Edward Kann when he cites Ros' article and goes on to state "It is not clear whether or not Dr. Ros referred to an intended 2-mace PEIYANG proof coin; for it is most unlikely that a coin for 1 Tael should ever have been designed in this size of a 20-cents piece. As Dr. Ros was a serious minded numismatist, his words are cited here, though we feel unable to place proper meaning on them." It is clear that neither Ros nor Kann suspected that these pieces were trials of gold coins struck in copper or brass for presentation purposes. A plausible explanation for why this series never made it into full production and abandoned could be due to the outbreak of the boxer rebellion which lasted from 2 November 1899 - 7 September 1901. Sharply struck with the design features in high relief. Attractive mottled olive and mocha patina throughout. Very interesting and fully deserving of further in depth research from the specialist. PCGS SP-53 Secure Holder.
From the Q. David Bowers Collection.
Ex: R. B. White.
Estimate: $1000.00- $1500.00