Watch List notes:

(t) CHINA. Hupeh. Tael, Year 30 (1904). PCGS Genuine--Cleaned, Unc Details Gold Shield.
L&M-181; K-933b; KM-Y-128.1. Large characters on reverse. This highly attractive representative of the ever popular Hupeh Tael exhibits a bold strike from fresh, clean dies with signs of being gently handled and minor evidence of an old cleaning from long ago. Upon inspection, minor marks and abrasions are noticed in the open areas, with a few insignificant edge nicks--long since toned over--adding to its originality. This stunning example boasts beautiful multicolored patina indicative of prolonged storage under the right circumstances; an abundance of sunrise and dusky hues pop out when tilting this eye-catching survivor in the light. It is the opinion of this cataloger that, despite its shortcomings, this fantastic looking numismatic icon is far more attractive than many straight-graded examples seen in the marketplace, and is sure to be a welcome addition to the next collection into which it enters.

648,000 Hupeh Taels were originally minted, inclusive of both large and small character types; however, it is unknown exactly how many of each were struck. This Tael was introduced as part of a projected coinage reform based upon the traditional Chinese weight standard rather than the Dollar system. In the initial proposal to produce these coins, it was also suggested to produce smaller denominations in the values of 1, 2, and 5 Mace. However, no such pieces have surfaced (even in pattern form), and it is unlikely they were ever produced. The general populace found it complicated to convert two distinctly different coinage systems, especially when making change. A Hupeh Tael housed in the British Museum supports this by showing evidence of cutting to make change. This specimen is essentially mint state with a large pie shape section cut from the coin. The cut is in a similar manner to the "broken dollars" picture on pg. 121 figure 4.10 of Joe Cribb's reference Money in the Bank. This short-lived series circulated for only a brief period and was soon after replaced by the unified "Tai Ching Ti Kuo" silver coinage. Although the Hupeh Tael coinage has a fairly large mintage, most were likely melted down to be made into later coinage. It is interesting to note that these Taels were struck in 0.877 fine silver, as opposed to the 0.960 fine silver set forth by the currency regulations of 1905.

From the Pinnacle Collection.

Estimate: $20000.00- $30000.00