Stack's Bowers & Ponterio
May 2022 Hong Kong Auction 3-9 May 2022
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CHINA. Taiwan. "Old Man" Dollar, ND (1838-50). PCGS Genuine--Chopmark, VF Details.
L&M-319; K-1; CH-25-3; WS-0997. Quite RARE and historically important, this type essentially served as the first struck silver crown in China. Though exhibiting a number of chopmarks, as is often the case, this presents great charm and features an "old man" though to either represent Confucius or the God of Longevity. Later fantasies, both with and without a beard, would become popular in the late 19th-early 20th centuries.
L&M-319; K-1; CH-25-3; WS-0997. Quite RARE and historically important, this type essentially served as the first struck silver crown in China. Though exhibiting a number of chopmarks, as is often the case, this presents great charm and features an "old man" though to either represent Confucius or the God of Longevity. Later fantasies, both with and without a beard, would become popular in the late 19th-early 20th centuries.
Initially designed as a form of military payment, the Taiwan Dollar quickly gained the approval of the people and grew in popularity. This was primarily due to its high silver content, approximately 98% fine. At this time, the Spanish 8 Reales were the most widely accepted coin, it being 0.903, just over 90% fine. The obverse possibly depicts the God of Longevity, with characters that signify "Seven Two by the Treasury Scales." This represents the first depiction of what later became the standard "7 Mace 2 Candareens."
Estimate: $8000 - $12000