BALDWIN'S HONG KONG COIN AUCTION 57

A.H. Baldwin & Sons Ltd and auction partner Ma Tak Wo Numismatic Co Ltd are pleased to announce that the Hong Kong Coin Auction 57 will be one of the largest sales to date. Held as part of the bi-annual Hong Kong International Coin Convention and Antique Watch Fair, the sale will feature a Kuang Hsu, Gold Ku’ping pattern Tael, alongside Chinese coins from the collection of Åke Lindén, French Indo-Chinese and Trade Dollars from the Johanna Austin collection, and a private collection of Plantation Tokens. The sale will be held on Thursday 21 August 2014 in Hong Kong’s Kowloon.

A splendid example of the Gold Ku’ping Pattern Tael, struck under the eleventh emperor of the Qing Dynasty, Kuang Hsu, leads the Chinese Coins in the sale. This rare coin, created as a prototype coin in Kuang Hsu’s 33rd year, never saw full circulation and is one of the few Chinese imperial gold coins struck at an official mint. It is estimated at US$65,000-85,000. [Lot 286]

Representing the highly regarded collection of Åke Lindén in the sale, is an exceptional collection of Chinese Coins including a Kirin Province, silver 50-Cents with Manchu characters estimated at US$10,000-12,000 and a very rare Peking Mint, silver pattern 10-cents estimated at US$10,000-12,000. [Lot 283]

From the Johanna Austin collection is a French Indo-China proof set from 1889A. Only 100 sets, comprising Bronze Sapèque, Cent, Silver 10-Cents, 20-Cents, 50-Cents and Piastre, were ever issued, this example is complete with gilt decorated blue leather case of issue and is estimated at US$20,000-25,000. [Lot 693]

Exacting buyer Johanna Austin had a particular interest in the coinage of South East Asia, specifically French Indo-China, Vietnam and Hong Kong. The collection also displays her interest in the trade coins used in the region, with the various nations who produced them all represented here. Of special note is an extremely rare example of a British Trade Dollar, 1902B, struck in gold, which is estimated at US$30,000-35,000 [Lot 1052]. The proceeds of the sale of Johanna Austin’s collection will go to the Museum of East Asian Art in Bath, England.

Leading an extensive opening section of banknotes will be a 14th century Ming Dynasty 1-Kuan banknote. Probably the oldest paper money in the world, the 1-Kuan note was printed on mulberry bark which was believed to have been recycled from the waste of government ministries and Civil Service papers. Text at the lower section of the note reads; “This noted of the Great Ming is printed with the approval of the Hung Wu Emperor (Year 1368-1398) through the Hu Pao and used side by side with copper cash, Those who counterfeit the Great Ming notes will be beheaded while an informant will be rewarded with 250 Taels of silver and with confiscated property of the convicts into the bargain”. From the renowned Danish, Sophus Black Collection, this note is rarely found in such high grade and is estimated at US$12,000-15,000. [Lot 1]

The auction will be held on Thursday 21 August 2014 in the Crystal Room, Level B3, Holiday Inn Golden Mile, 50 Nathan Road, Kowloon, Hong Kong. The catalogue is available to view online at www.baldwin.co.uk. For more information and viewing times please contact auctions@baldwin.co.uk.

Wayne Homren, Editor

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