China
Kweichow. Republic "Auto" Dollar Year 17 (1928) VF30 PCGS, Chengdu mint, KM-Y428, L&M-609, Kann-757e, WS-1109, Wenchao-1062 (rarity 2 stars), Shi Jiagan Collection-312. Two blades of grass variety. Struck during the 17th year of the Republic by Chow Hsi-chien (Zhou Xicheng), the Governor of Kweichow province, to commemorate the completion of the provincial highway in Kweichow. Even within a series of so many trademark rarities as that of Republican China, there are strikingly few entries which can be so readily called to mind by just two words as can the famed Auto Dollar. Coming fiercely desired in all levels of preservation, and not often found above VF (usually with a details modifier), the issue is well-recognized as largely precedent-breaking for Chinese coinage as a whole, its no-so-unusual emphasis on the Provincial Governor articulated not through his portrait, but subtly through the image of his automobile; Kann further supposes the arrangement of the blades of grass was probably meant to spell-out the characters Hsi Chien. A generally wholesome offering on the whole. From the Tony Ma Collection
https://coins.ha.com/itm/china/kweichow-province/china-kweichow-republic-auto-dollar-year-17-1928-vf30-pcgs-/a/3100-34057.s?type=DA-DMC-CoinArchives-WorldCoins-3100-07072022
HID02906262019
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Estimate: 15000-20000 USD