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Hong Kong Signature Sale 3108 21-23 Jun 2023
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China
Kuang-hsü gold Proof Pattern Restrike Tael Year 29 (1903)-Dated PR65 NGC, L&M-1019, cf. Kann-927 (for original silver issue), WS-0001, Wenchao-6 (rarity 5 stars). 40.07gm. Plain edge. From an iconic emission, struck from original dies in Switzerland. This exceptionally scarce offering is one of the most sought-after issues in Chinese numismatics, having appeared at market only a small handful of times in the last 20 years. This resplendent piece boasts marvelous glassy surfaces with astonishingly watery fields. On the cusp of the highest certified population, it's sure to entice even the most advanced Chinese type collectors.
Highly unusual, the dies for this Pattern were ordered from and prepared by the Osaka mint in Japan, with the issue initially intended as part of a projected currency reform to adopt the gold standard under a national coinage. The endeavor, which called for a central mint responsible for the production of more uniform circulating coinage, eventually failed because, as Kann states, "[t]here were too many Chinese interests to be placated," relegating these proposed issues to historical obscurity. Reportedly, only 5 sets of restrikes (including the Tael, 5 Mace, 2 Mace, 1 Mace, and 1/2 Mace) were produced from the original Osaka dies in Switzerland in the 1970's, prior to the dies being "cleaned up" and further issues restruck in the 1980's; today, the dies reside in Taiwan.
https://coins.ha.com/itm/china/empire/china-kuang-hsu-gold-proof-pattern-restrike-tael-year-29-1903-dated-pr65-ngc-/a/3108-30027.s?type=DA-DMC-CoinArchives-WorldCoins-3108-06212023
HID02906262019
© 2023 Heritage Auctions | All Rights Reserved
Estimate: 30000-50000 USD
Kuang-hsü gold Proof Pattern Restrike Tael Year 29 (1903)-Dated PR65 NGC, L&M-1019, cf. Kann-927 (for original silver issue), WS-0001, Wenchao-6 (rarity 5 stars). 40.07gm. Plain edge. From an iconic emission, struck from original dies in Switzerland. This exceptionally scarce offering is one of the most sought-after issues in Chinese numismatics, having appeared at market only a small handful of times in the last 20 years. This resplendent piece boasts marvelous glassy surfaces with astonishingly watery fields. On the cusp of the highest certified population, it's sure to entice even the most advanced Chinese type collectors.
Highly unusual, the dies for this Pattern were ordered from and prepared by the Osaka mint in Japan, with the issue initially intended as part of a projected currency reform to adopt the gold standard under a national coinage. The endeavor, which called for a central mint responsible for the production of more uniform circulating coinage, eventually failed because, as Kann states, "[t]here were too many Chinese interests to be placated," relegating these proposed issues to historical obscurity. Reportedly, only 5 sets of restrikes (including the Tael, 5 Mace, 2 Mace, 1 Mace, and 1/2 Mace) were produced from the original Osaka dies in Switzerland in the 1970's, prior to the dies being "cleaned up" and further issues restruck in the 1980's; today, the dies reside in Taiwan.
https://coins.ha.com/itm/china/empire/china-kuang-hsu-gold-proof-pattern-restrike-tael-year-29-1903-dated-pr65-ngc-/a/3108-30027.s?type=DA-DMC-CoinArchives-WorldCoins-3108-06212023
HID02906262019
© 2023 Heritage Auctions | All Rights Reserved
Estimate: 30000-50000 USD