Stack's Bowers & Ponterio
September 2021 Hong Kong Auction 27 Sep - 1 Oct 2021
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(t) CHINA. Brass 5 Centimes Token, ND (ca. 1878). PCGS VF-35.
Lec-1 (plate coin). Purportedly UNIQUE as described in Lecompte, little is known about this issue. While the monetary unit remains a mystery, it is likely this piece is denominated in centimes. The engraved values of 5 and 40 resemble those of the French token manufacturer Carteaux of Paris. Light circulation and consistent patina are all that one could wish for, and, with a strong strike, every detail is well produced.
Lec-1 (plate coin). Purportedly UNIQUE as described in Lecompte, little is known about this issue. While the monetary unit remains a mystery, it is likely this piece is denominated in centimes. The engraved values of 5 and 40 resemble those of the French token manufacturer Carteaux of Paris. Light circulation and consistent patina are all that one could wish for, and, with a strong strike, every detail is well produced.
In 1878, the Qing government participated in the Paris International Exposition and the characters depicted "大清公所" is the name of the Chinese exhibition hall. Later the exhibition hall was transformed to a coffee shop where these were probably issued.
We are unable to confirm the attribution on the PCGS holder, but believe it to be incorrect.
Estimate: $3000 - $5000