Spink USA
Auction 382 15 Jan 2023
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*NGC MS64-MS66* | China, Kwangtung Province (Guangdong / Canton), Hsüan-t'ung, A Remarkable 6-Coin "Representative Specimens of the Currency" Guangdong "Imperial Dragon" Type Set, struck at Guangzhou (Canton) Mint, from the Heaton (Birmingham) Dies (6), Dollar to 16 Candareens and Cash, including: i) NGC MS66 ~ *Top Pop* | Kuang-hsü Dollar (1909-1911), Valuable Yuán of Guangxù of 7 Mace 2 Candareens, Undated, "zào sheng dong guang" (pierced cross) "kù píng qi qián èr fen" (pierced cross) [Made in Guangdong province / Treasury scales equal to 7 qián and 2 fen] in Hànzì, Ku not connected, small rosettes, and dot in fireball variety, "bao yuán guang xù" in Manchu script, rev. KWANG – TUNG PROVINCE | 7 MACE AND 2 CANDAREENS (pierced cross), flying Imperial Dragon facing, coiled leftward around fireball and surrounded by stylized clouds, edge milled, 26.90g, 12h (L&M 133B; Kann 26; KM 203; WS 0941), beautifully choice with fresh mint bloom ensnared and encloaked in fiery reddish-orange iridescence and further subtle brilliance around the Dragon, the reverse dappled with flares of bluish-green, a stupendous survivor, even from this typically soft dies, good extremely fine, and truly much as issued, rare thus, in NGC holder, graded MS66 (Cert. #6382926-001) [*Single Finest Certified at NGC*] [Tied with 3 at PCGS]ii) NGC MS65 | Half-Dollar (1890-1908), 3 Mace 6 Candareens, Undated, Guangxù, "zào sheng dong guang" (pierced cross) "kù píng san qián liù fen" (pierced cross) [Made in Guangdong province / Treasury scales equal to 3 qián and 6 fen] in Hànzì, "bao yuán guang xù" in Manchu script, rev. KWANG – TUNG PROVINCE (pierced cross) 3 MACE AND 6 CANDAREENS (pierced cross), flying Imperial Dragon facing, coiled leftward around fireball and surrounded by stylized clouds, edge milled, 13.37g, 12h (L&M 134; Kann 27; KM 202), a small carbon spot otherwise softly but beautifully toned overlying original lustruous surfaces, good extremely fine, and much as issued, extremely rare thus, in NGC holder, graded MS65 (Cert. #6382926-002) [*Tied 1 of 3* / 1 Finer at NGC]; iii) NGC MS66 | *Top Pop* | 20-Cents (1890-1908), 1 Mace and 4.4 Candareens, Undated, Guangxù, legends in Manchu script, rev. KWANG – TUNG PROVINCE (pierced cross) 1 MACE AND 4.4 CANDAREENS (pierced cross), flying Imperial Dragon facing, coiled leftward around fireball and surrounded by stylized clouds, edge milled, 5.40g, 12h (KM Y201; L&M 135), light purplish-blue-green tone overlying lustrous original fields, handsomely choice, much as struck, in NGC holder, graded MS66 (Cert. #6382926-003) [*Joint Finest Certified*]; iv) NGC MS64 | 10-Cents (1890-1908), 7.2 Candareens, Undated, Guangxù, legends in Manchu script, rev. KWANG – TUNG PROVINCE (pierced cross) 7.2 CANDAREENS (pierced cross), flying Imperial Dragon facing, coiled leftward around fireball and surrounded by stylized clouds, edge milled, 2.67g, 12h (K.29; KM Y200; L&M 136; WS 0946), cabinet toned on obverse, olive-flares to reverse overlying lustrous original fields, good extremely fine, in NGC holder, graded MS64 (Cert. #6382926-004); v) NGC MS64 | 5-Cents (1890-1908), 3.6 Candareens, Undated, Guangxù, legends in Manchu script, rev. KWANG – TUNG PROVINCE (pierced cross) 3.6 CANDAREENS (pierced cross), flying Imperial Dragon facing, coiled leftward around fireball and surrounded by stylized clouds, edge milled, 1.34g, 12h (K.30; KM Y199; L&M 137; WS 0947), lightly toned and lustrous, extremely fine, in NGC holder, graded MS64 (Cert. #6382926-005); lastly, vi) Brass Cash, 1889, Guangxù, edge plain, 3,82g, 12h (cf. KM Y.189; CCC-1; Hsu-252; O'Sweeny CN25), patinated, otherwise extremely fine (6).
Evidently retained at point of striking, these remarkable currency pieces, retain their pearlescent mint bloom granted upon the 'kiss' of issue by the press, and are subsequently accentuated by a century of natural olive-grey and bluish-red/orange fiery flare in their custom cherry wood-turned and felt case of presentation, similar to those rare Proof Sets actually issued from the Heaton Mint. Whilst clearly not Specimen finishes in the strict Numismatic 'Proof' terminology, this exceedingly rare survivor is the evident Guangdong connoisseur's equivalent of the 1887 Golden Jubilee Specimens manufactured by the Royal Mint alongside their regular Proofs, with the Imperial Dollar benefitting from notable brilliance around the writhing tail of the talismanic Dragon.
Estimate: $30000 - $50000
Evidently retained at point of striking, these remarkable currency pieces, retain their pearlescent mint bloom granted upon the 'kiss' of issue by the press, and are subsequently accentuated by a century of natural olive-grey and bluish-red/orange fiery flare in their custom cherry wood-turned and felt case of presentation, similar to those rare Proof Sets actually issued from the Heaton Mint. Whilst clearly not Specimen finishes in the strict Numismatic 'Proof' terminology, this exceedingly rare survivor is the evident Guangdong connoisseur's equivalent of the 1887 Golden Jubilee Specimens manufactured by the Royal Mint alongside their regular Proofs, with the Imperial Dollar benefitting from notable brilliance around the writhing tail of the talismanic Dragon.
Estimate: $30000 - $50000