Heritage World Coin Auctions
Hong Kong Signature Sale 3092 24-25 Jun 2021
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China
Szechuan. Kuang-hsü 50 Cents ND (1898) XF45 PCGS, KM-Y237.3 (1901-1908), L&M-348, Kann-Unl., WS-Unl. Wide face (dog-headed) dragon variety, with very faint crossbars in A's. The scarcest subvariety of this already quite popular type, and one which almost never becomes available in any sort of meaningful condition--PCGS's population report revealing only one AU55 certified finer. While often grouped within the broader "wide face" or "large-headed" dragon series (as in PCGS's census), the design of the dragon here shows distinctive differences, particularly its large, flat forehead and small grinning mouth. Though Lin and Ma associate the design with the 1898 issue, the type shares certain stylistic similarities with the earliest Szechuan 50 Cents of Hsüan-t'ung (to a much greater extent than the other subvarieties illustrated by Wang Chun Li), perhaps suggesting that the Standard Catalog's placement of the emission later in Kuang-hsü's reign (1901-1908) may be more appropriate. Visually very pleasing, this representative shows full detail with only a mild degree of wear to the highest points, the surfaces originally patinated and free of cleaning. As a type, apparently missing from both the Goodman and Jacobs collections, with the "dog-headed"-style dragon undocumented by Kann or Wang Chun Li, and a considerable opportunity for the series enthusiast looking to fill this hole in their collection.
Ex. Charles E. Tanant Collection
https://coins.ha.com/itm/china/szechuan-province/china-szechuan-kuang-hsu-50-cents-nd-1898-xf45-pcgs-/a/3092-38230.s?type=CoinArchives3092
HID02906262019
© 2020 Heritage Auctions | All Rights Reserved
Estimate: 20000-25000 USD
Szechuan. Kuang-hsü 50 Cents ND (1898) XF45 PCGS, KM-Y237.3 (1901-1908), L&M-348, Kann-Unl., WS-Unl. Wide face (dog-headed) dragon variety, with very faint crossbars in A's. The scarcest subvariety of this already quite popular type, and one which almost never becomes available in any sort of meaningful condition--PCGS's population report revealing only one AU55 certified finer. While often grouped within the broader "wide face" or "large-headed" dragon series (as in PCGS's census), the design of the dragon here shows distinctive differences, particularly its large, flat forehead and small grinning mouth. Though Lin and Ma associate the design with the 1898 issue, the type shares certain stylistic similarities with the earliest Szechuan 50 Cents of Hsüan-t'ung (to a much greater extent than the other subvarieties illustrated by Wang Chun Li), perhaps suggesting that the Standard Catalog's placement of the emission later in Kuang-hsü's reign (1901-1908) may be more appropriate. Visually very pleasing, this representative shows full detail with only a mild degree of wear to the highest points, the surfaces originally patinated and free of cleaning. As a type, apparently missing from both the Goodman and Jacobs collections, with the "dog-headed"-style dragon undocumented by Kann or Wang Chun Li, and a considerable opportunity for the series enthusiast looking to fill this hole in their collection.
Ex. Charles E. Tanant Collection
https://coins.ha.com/itm/china/szechuan-province/china-szechuan-kuang-hsu-50-cents-nd-1898-xf45-pcgs-/a/3092-38230.s?type=CoinArchives3092
HID02906262019
© 2020 Heritage Auctions | All Rights Reserved
Estimate: 20000-25000 USD