Stack's Bowers & Ponterio
April 2021 Hong Kong Auction 5-8 Apr 2021
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(t) CHINA. Kwangtung. Copper 3 Mace 6 Candareens (50 Cents) Specimen, ND (1890). PCGS SPECIMEN-65 Brown Gold Shield.
cf. L&M-129; cf. K-22; KM-Pn7; Wenchao-Unlisted; Chang Foundation-Unlisted; WS-Unlisted; cf. Sweeny-Unlisted. This EXTREMELY RARE and highly important specimen issue is from a series of coinage that would eventually become the standard design for the provincial mint issues. At the time of issuance, the Kwangtung mint was one of the most advanced mints in the world, capable of producing marvelous products of the highest quality such as the present example. This superlative survivor is divine, exhibiting frosted devices and hard, flashy, mirrored surfaces displaying rich mottled chocolate and mocha patina accentuated by vibrant hues that make this Gem sparkle. Shades of iridescent cobalt and magenta pop out when rotating in the light, adding immense eye appeal to this fabulous representative. Clearly, this special numismatic treasure was handled with great care to preserve its fantastic quality, and it is assuredly destined for the cabinet of a connoisseur.
cf. L&M-129; cf. K-22; KM-Pn7; Wenchao-Unlisted; Chang Foundation-Unlisted; WS-Unlisted; cf. Sweeny-Unlisted. This EXTREMELY RARE and highly important specimen issue is from a series of coinage that would eventually become the standard design for the provincial mint issues. At the time of issuance, the Kwangtung mint was one of the most advanced mints in the world, capable of producing marvelous products of the highest quality such as the present example. This superlative survivor is divine, exhibiting frosted devices and hard, flashy, mirrored surfaces displaying rich mottled chocolate and mocha patina accentuated by vibrant hues that make this Gem sparkle. Shades of iridescent cobalt and magenta pop out when rotating in the light, adding immense eye appeal to this fabulous representative. Clearly, this special numismatic treasure was handled with great care to preserve its fantastic quality, and it is assuredly destined for the cabinet of a connoisseur.
When officials realized that the first Kwangtung issues, the heavier 7 Mace 3 Candareens series, were being hoarded from circulation and melted down due to extra silver content that was contained within. Quickly taking action, the authorities ordered a new, but slightly modified, coinage design. The Kwangtung mint produced these new patterns using hubs supplied by the Birmingham mint. These newly made patterns mostly adhered to Allan Wyon's original design, but with slight modifications. The change in weight from the slightly heavy 7 Mace 3 Candareens series to the new, reduced weight standard of 7 Mace 2 Candareens, fell in line to the prolific trade coin of the day, the Mexican 8 Reales. Another subtle change that was made, but only on some denominations such as the present example, was the addition of small rosettes at either side of the dragon.
Like the previous heavier issues, this new design was destined to fail. When presented to the authorities in Peking, the design was immediately rejected due to the placement of the English and Chinese legends, and further modification were needed. These two series of trial issues have come to be known as the "Reversed Pattern" coinage.
From the Pinnacle Collection.
Estimate: $40000.00- $80000.00