Watch List notes:

ANNAM. Gold Hand Engraved Lang Size Bar, ND (1848-83). Tu Duc. EXTREMELY FINE.

Dimensions: 43mm x 12mm x 5mm; Weight: 36.20 gms. cf. Fr-50 (for overall type); cf. KM-238 (for type from a different ruler); cf. Sch-190 (same); cf. "Yunnan Coin Research Association" pg. 323, #39/40 (for overall type); cf. "Paris Administration of Money and Medals"-V233; Don Courbet 1884 No. 12 (different denomination, same ruler); Thierry-Unlisted. Obverse: Hand inscribed "Tu Duc Nien Tao" within rectangle border; Reverse: Hand inscribed "Hoang Kim Nhat Lang" within rectangle border. Edge: Hand inscribed vine/floral design, with hand inscribed square at top and circle at bottom.

These seldom seen, hand engraved types are subject to much scrutiny; appearing to fall out of the norm to what is usually encountered from this series, each one offers UNIQUE characteristics. What many may not take into consideration is the existence of other denominations from this series, in both gold and silver, that are either fully or partially engraved. For this denomination, we have been able to locate just three other examples from three different rulers: the example from the Dr. Lawrence A. Adams Collection, which sold in 2016 for $13,000 hammer (Emperor Gia Long [1802-20]); the plate coin in Krause and Schroeder (1905) of Emperor Minh Mang (1820-41; Ex: King Farouk Collection [1954]); and the example from the Dr. Hesselgesser Collection of Emperor Theiu Tri (1841-47). Other examples of hand engraved types include a Silver 2 Quan (Tu Duc), Silver 100 Lang (Public ingot), Gold 10 Lang (Tu Duc), Gold 40 Lang (Public ingot), Gold 50 Lang (Minh Mang), and Gold 100 Lang (Minh Mang). From among these, the one with the most interest and importance is the silver 2 Quan of Tu Duc that was obtained by French Admiral Anatole-Amedee-Prosper Courbet after the siege of Son Tay in December 1883. It is now permanently housed in the collection of the Paris Administration of Money and Medals, from a bequeathal by Don Courbet himself in 1884. Being able to trace the silver 2 Quan back to a contemporary account undoubtedly proves that these hand engraved ingots are known items of the period. Comparing the present piece to the other documented examples, one notices an uncanny resemblance both in style and manufacture, with only minor (and expected) differences. Though we are unaware of an earlier provenance for this piece, the evident signs of handling and age clearly indicate to this cataloger that it is, in fact, from that period.

Born 22 September 1829, Prince Nguyen Phuc Hong Nham succeeded his father Emperor Theiu Tri, who died 4 November 1847. His father passed over his eldest son Hong Bao, who was more of a moderate than his younger brother (with his steadfast Confucian beliefs and opposition to foreigners and innovations). Though he reigned for more than 35 years, his rule was not an easy one. He struggled with familial conflict, religious suppression, European conquest, and hundreds of rebellions. Despite having an enormous harem, he had no children, as a case of smallpox left him impotent. He is considered the last Emperor of Annam (Vietnam) as an independent ruler. According to legend, with his dying breath he cursed the French. After his death, his adopted son Duc Duc became emperor, but was deposed by court officials after only three days on the throne.

SOLD AS IS/NO RETURNS.

Estimate: $3000 - $5000