Stack's Bowers & Ponterio
May 2022 Hong Kong Auction 3-9 May 2022
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(t) CHINA. Yunnan. Rupee, ND (1907). Kunming Mint. PCGS AU-53.
L&M-427; K-599 (listed as an essai); KMX-M485; WS-0658; Wenchao-830 (rarity: ★★★★★). An EXCEPTIONALLY RARE and desirable type that is clearly modeled after the contemporaneous denomination from Szechuan-Tibet, this example features the bust of either the Kuang-hsu (Guangxu) emperor or the provincial governor Ts'en Yu-ying (Cen Yuying). For the prototype Rupee, the design itself is an adaptation of the bust of Queen Victoria on the British Indian series. Meanwhile, the reverse of this type closely parallels that of Szechuan-Tibet, though its slightly better refinement with respect to both the foliage and the presence of the English lettering are a closer match to the aforementioned British Indian series. Regardless, this type is seldom encountered as the denomination did not succeed and the output quickly abandoned. Accordingly, this specimen presents a tremendous chance at a difficult coin, all while exhibiting hardly anything in the way of actual handling. For completeness, however, a minor abrasion behind the bust on the obverse is noted. For the advanced collector of this province, the corresponding series of Rupees from Szechuan-Tibet, or even the British Indian series from which all of these ultimately derive, this lot should undoubtedly entice.
Estimate: $30000 - $50000
L&M-427; K-599 (listed as an essai); KMX-M485; WS-0658; Wenchao-830 (rarity: ★★★★★). An EXCEPTIONALLY RARE and desirable type that is clearly modeled after the contemporaneous denomination from Szechuan-Tibet, this example features the bust of either the Kuang-hsu (Guangxu) emperor or the provincial governor Ts'en Yu-ying (Cen Yuying). For the prototype Rupee, the design itself is an adaptation of the bust of Queen Victoria on the British Indian series. Meanwhile, the reverse of this type closely parallels that of Szechuan-Tibet, though its slightly better refinement with respect to both the foliage and the presence of the English lettering are a closer match to the aforementioned British Indian series. Regardless, this type is seldom encountered as the denomination did not succeed and the output quickly abandoned. Accordingly, this specimen presents a tremendous chance at a difficult coin, all while exhibiting hardly anything in the way of actual handling. For completeness, however, a minor abrasion behind the bust on the obverse is noted. For the advanced collector of this province, the corresponding series of Rupees from Szechuan-Tibet, or even the British Indian series from which all of these ultimately derive, this lot should undoubtedly entice.
Estimate: $30000 - $50000