Stack's Bowers & Ponterio
May 2022 Hong Kong Auction 3-9 May 2022
View prices realized
► Sale information
Find similar lots
ANNAM. Fantasy Gold 2 Tien, ND ("1820-41") (ca. early 20th Century). Minh Mang. NGC Unc Details--Cleaned.
Fr-Unlisted; KM-Unlisted; K-B100 (listed as "fancy product"); Goodman-4 (there denominated as "5 Dollars" and the characters read with no meaning). A fascinating and interesting type that the Goodman catalog references as VERY RARE, this enigmatic issue is undoubtedly a fantasy and stands outside the realm of the other gold coinage issued during the reign of Minh Mang. Though the catalogers of Goodman were baffled by the "four characters with no meaning" and placed a similar example of this type with the Republican-era Chinese gold issues in the catalog, the intent was clearly that of the Annamese ruler Minh Mang, with his name clearly produced through a reading of the top and bottom characters. Even Kann lists this piece with other Chinese fantasies. What is unusual, however, is the use of the seal script--something encountered more typically on Chinese coins and not on those from the more modern era. Additionally, the sunburst that is usually surrounded by the characters on the issues of Minh Mang here is represented as a chrysanthemum--an aspect typical of Japanese issues. Lastly, the dragon itself is much more reminiscent of that utilized on the Year 3 (1911) imperial silver minors of Hsuan-t'ung (L&M-39-41). Golden-orange and rather dazzling, with the noted cleaning playing very little role in its overall appearance. A great type for the advanced collector of Annam or fantasy issues in general.
Estimate: $2000 - $4000
Fr-Unlisted; KM-Unlisted; K-B100 (listed as "fancy product"); Goodman-4 (there denominated as "5 Dollars" and the characters read with no meaning). A fascinating and interesting type that the Goodman catalog references as VERY RARE, this enigmatic issue is undoubtedly a fantasy and stands outside the realm of the other gold coinage issued during the reign of Minh Mang. Though the catalogers of Goodman were baffled by the "four characters with no meaning" and placed a similar example of this type with the Republican-era Chinese gold issues in the catalog, the intent was clearly that of the Annamese ruler Minh Mang, with his name clearly produced through a reading of the top and bottom characters. Even Kann lists this piece with other Chinese fantasies. What is unusual, however, is the use of the seal script--something encountered more typically on Chinese coins and not on those from the more modern era. Additionally, the sunburst that is usually surrounded by the characters on the issues of Minh Mang here is represented as a chrysanthemum--an aspect typical of Japanese issues. Lastly, the dragon itself is much more reminiscent of that utilized on the Year 3 (1911) imperial silver minors of Hsuan-t'ung (L&M-39-41). Golden-orange and rather dazzling, with the noted cleaning playing very little role in its overall appearance. A great type for the advanced collector of Annam or fantasy issues in general.
Estimate: $2000 - $4000