Stack's Bowers & Ponterio
March 2019 Hong Kong Auction 25-27 Mar 2019
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CHINA. State of Chu. "Yuan Jin" Gold Cube Money, ND (ca. 475-221 B.C.). Warring States Period. VERY FINE.
History of Chinese Currency-pg. 7, #1; Hartill-5.1. 28.15 gms. Inscribed "Ying Yuan". Made in what is now Hubei province, it was cut from larger bars which allowed for the making of small denominations, in this case, two complete "cubes" were presumably separated from a larger set. Hartill conjectures that these stamped shapes were not meant to be specific weight units, but rather to validate the larger gold block. Historically this is China's first gold currency with a fixed shape and size. Examples of single cubes are scarce while multiple conjoined cubes of two or more should be considered VERY RARE. Two bold and complete incuse stamps enclosed in square border almost entirely encrusted with earthen deposits. A handsome example with lots of character sure to add depth to the next collection it enters.
Estimate: $10000.00- $12000.00
History of Chinese Currency-pg. 7, #1; Hartill-5.1. 28.15 gms. Inscribed "Ying Yuan". Made in what is now Hubei province, it was cut from larger bars which allowed for the making of small denominations, in this case, two complete "cubes" were presumably separated from a larger set. Hartill conjectures that these stamped shapes were not meant to be specific weight units, but rather to validate the larger gold block. Historically this is China's first gold currency with a fixed shape and size. Examples of single cubes are scarce while multiple conjoined cubes of two or more should be considered VERY RARE. Two bold and complete incuse stamps enclosed in square border almost entirely encrusted with earthen deposits. A handsome example with lots of character sure to add depth to the next collection it enters.
Estimate: $10000.00- $12000.00