Heritage World Coin Auctions
Hong Kong Signature Sale 3108 21-23 Jun 2023
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China
Qing Dynasty. De Zong (1875-1908) copper "Engraved Master" Tong Bao ND (1887-1898) Certified 90 by Gong Bo Grading, Board of Revenue mint (North Branch), Hartill-22.1278var (Master Coin), Jen-1683. 23.9mm, 4.9g. An incredible opportunity to acquire such a tremendously rare issue, believed by some to be the jewel in the crown of Chinese Cash collections. The Engraved Master coins, also known as Ancestor coins, are the very beginning of the Cash coinage process, the "seeds for minting regular currency" as put by Jen. Skilled engravers would execute the new design on a blank, quality copper planchette. By hand, they meticulously carved the characters with a sharp tool--one can still see the marks from such exquisite craftsmanship in this prime example--creating a prototype for the new issue. Such pieces were then presented to the Emperor himself for approval and then used as molds for casting the better known "Mother coins." The Mother coins were the first casts of the original engraved pieces, easily identifiable due to their much higher quality of casting and details. Finally, the Mother coins would be used to make several molds that would cast the circulating issues. We have the pleasure to offer an incredible rendition of such an iconic and historic issue from Chinese numismatics. This ancestor coin displays near immaculate surfaces, just as the engraver left it, with only minimal toning to the still glowing fields. A great opportunity to acquire a trophy "Cash coin," of which the only other example we could find hitting the auction floors was the one offered by Ginza in December 2022, sold uncertified and in seemingly lower grade, but still hammering $58,953.60.
https://coins.ha.com/itm/china/china-qing-dynasty-de-zong-1875-1908-copper-engraved-master-tong-bao-nd-1887-1898-certified-90-by-gong-bo-grad/a/3108-30021.s?type=DA-DMC-CoinArchives-WorldCoins-3108-06212023
HID02906262019
© 2023 Heritage Auctions | All Rights Reserved
Estimate: 40000-50000 USD
Qing Dynasty. De Zong (1875-1908) copper "Engraved Master" Tong Bao ND (1887-1898) Certified 90 by Gong Bo Grading, Board of Revenue mint (North Branch), Hartill-22.1278var (Master Coin), Jen-1683. 23.9mm, 4.9g. An incredible opportunity to acquire such a tremendously rare issue, believed by some to be the jewel in the crown of Chinese Cash collections. The Engraved Master coins, also known as Ancestor coins, are the very beginning of the Cash coinage process, the "seeds for minting regular currency" as put by Jen. Skilled engravers would execute the new design on a blank, quality copper planchette. By hand, they meticulously carved the characters with a sharp tool--one can still see the marks from such exquisite craftsmanship in this prime example--creating a prototype for the new issue. Such pieces were then presented to the Emperor himself for approval and then used as molds for casting the better known "Mother coins." The Mother coins were the first casts of the original engraved pieces, easily identifiable due to their much higher quality of casting and details. Finally, the Mother coins would be used to make several molds that would cast the circulating issues. We have the pleasure to offer an incredible rendition of such an iconic and historic issue from Chinese numismatics. This ancestor coin displays near immaculate surfaces, just as the engraver left it, with only minimal toning to the still glowing fields. A great opportunity to acquire a trophy "Cash coin," of which the only other example we could find hitting the auction floors was the one offered by Ginza in December 2022, sold uncertified and in seemingly lower grade, but still hammering $58,953.60.
https://coins.ha.com/itm/china/china-qing-dynasty-de-zong-1875-1908-copper-engraved-master-tong-bao-nd-1887-1898-certified-90-by-gong-bo-grad/a/3108-30021.s?type=DA-DMC-CoinArchives-WorldCoins-3108-06212023
HID02906262019
© 2023 Heritage Auctions | All Rights Reserved
Estimate: 40000-50000 USD