Stack's Bowers & Ponterio
October 2022 Hong Kong Auction 3-8 Oct 2022
View prices realized
► Sale information
Find similar lots
(t) CHINA. Szechuan. Dollar, Year 17 (1928). Uncertain Mint. NGC VF-25.
L&M-Unlisted; K-792; KM-Y-474; WS-Unlisted; Wenchao-Unlisted; CCMC-SCR.1.6. One of the highest peaks of RARITY in the entire Chinese numismatic series, this Szechuan Provincial Dollar couples elusiveness and numismatic mystery. As recorded in Eduard Kann's Illustrated Catalog of Chinese Coins: "nothing authentic is known about where, and at whose orders this coin was produced." Depicting an effigy of the recently deceased Sun Yat-Sen in his civilian clothing, with the other side featuring a wreath of rice and bean grains with the typical denominational characters for "ONE YUAN". Produced on a smaller than normal flan for Dollar-sized emissions, as the diameter is only 37 millimeters and the weight 25.5 grams.
L&M-Unlisted; K-792; KM-Y-474; WS-Unlisted; Wenchao-Unlisted; CCMC-SCR.1.6. One of the highest peaks of RARITY in the entire Chinese numismatic series, this Szechuan Provincial Dollar couples elusiveness and numismatic mystery. As recorded in Eduard Kann's Illustrated Catalog of Chinese Coins: "nothing authentic is known about where, and at whose orders this coin was produced." Depicting an effigy of the recently deceased Sun Yat-Sen in his civilian clothing, with the other side featuring a wreath of rice and bean grains with the typical denominational characters for "ONE YUAN". Produced on a smaller than normal flan for Dollar-sized emissions, as the diameter is only 37 millimeters and the weight 25.5 grams.
Kann suggests two possibilities for this piece's manufacture, either as a pattern striking from the Chengdu Mint or private "warlord" issue. The fabric of the example suggests a more likely origin as a warlord type, with a style that does not generally conform to other products from Chengdu. Whatever the case with its origins, it is immediately clear that this Dollar is of the UTMOST RARITY. The present specimen is one of only two on the NGC census, with another damaged example trading in a 2014 Baldwin's Auction from the Norman Jacobs Collection. These three pieces account for every known example we were able to trace in our research.
Despite seeing some handling and of a generally crude manufacture, a degree of charm is retained by the original and undamaged surfaces. Some soft glossiness remains, and despite a slightly weak strike, evident details yet remain with only a bit of technical wearing. A few scuffs near the bust of Sun Yat-Sen are noted, though these do little to dampen the piece. A specimen that should receive a plethora of attention from completionists seeking to finish the Szechuan series, or more generally for any collector of Chinese Dollars. An opportunity that should not be missed by any advanced collector of Chinese coinage.
Ex: NC Collection.
Estimate: $20000 - $40000