Watch List notes:

(t) CHINA. Fengtien. Aluminum 7 Mace 2 Candareens (Dollar) Pattern, ND (1897). Kuang-hsu (Guangxu). PCGS SPECIMEN-55.
cf. L&M-467 (normal issue in silver); K-Unlisted; KM-Unlisted; WS-0579; Wenchao-Unlisted; Chang-Unlisted; Zhou-FT.1.2. Province name spelled "TENG-TIEN". An EXTREMELY RARE provincial pattern, this striking--produced in aluminum--is one of the most impressive patterns from the entire run of provincial coinage. It is not entirely clear why this pattern was struck in aluminum, with other examples of the type known in silver, silvered-brass, and brass--all more common trial medals. It is clear that the aluminum issue was produced in very limited quantities, with this example being only the second one that we have offered in this composition. Interestingly, the provincial name is blundered on the dragon side, reading "TENG-TIEN" instead of "FENG-TIEN".

The devices are well struck on the aluminum flan, with a bold transfer of details. Light oxidation is observed, but this is not the extensive white color that often blights aluminum issues, with the surface brightness merely being softened a bit on this piece. Evidence of handling is observed, a bit surprising given the pattern nature of the piece, with touches wear and some friction and contact. Even so, this handling is not distracting, with no major effacement of details. This example provides the discerning collector with a desirable RARITY that may not surface again for years. A chance at a relic that few others can claim to own.

The 2012 discovery of production material shed new light onto the creation of this coinage. The findings included patterns, dies, hubs, and a series of punches from the archives of the Otto Beh Company of Esslingen, Germany, specialists in the production of seals and dies. Before this, the origins of the dies used to produce coinage for the provinces of Anhwei, Chekiang, Fengtien (such as the present piece), Heilungkiang, and Sungarei were only speculated upon. To date, patterns are known struck in silver, silvered-brass, brass, and aluminum, but this does not include samples of everything that Beh produced, as the number and variety of dies far outnumber the known patterns. From neighboring Goppingen, Louis Schuler received an order for coining presses in 1895 and commissioned Otto Beh to manufacture the dies. In 1897 and 1898, Beh supplied Schuler with over 200 dies for Chinese coins. At the time, this was the largest order that the company had ever received. Schuler, which started as a locksmith's shop in 1839, had grown to become one of the world's leaders in metal forming and supplied the aforementioned mints with coining presses.

Estimate: $75000 - $125000