STACK'S BOWERS APRIL 2018 HONG KONG SALE

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V21 2018 INDEX E-SYLUM ARCHIVE

The E-Sylum: Volume 21, Number 10, March 11, 2018, Article 25

Here's an excerpt from the press release for the Stack's Bowers and Ponterio April 2018 Hong Kong Sale. -Editor

Stack's Bowers and Ponterio is pleased to announce details of their upcoming Hong Kong Auction of Chinese and Asian coins and currency, to be held Monday, April 2 through Wednesday, April 4, 2018, at The Mira Hong Kong, 118 Nathan Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon, Hong Kong.

Session B will commence at 9:30 AM Hong Kong Time on Tuesday, April 3, beginning with Vintage Chinese Coins. The first major highlights are back to back 10 Tael Gold ingots (Lots 50010 and 50011) with the first confirmed to be Ex Nanking Cargo and the second presumed to be. Either would be a thrilling addition to any collection of world gold or the cabinet of a treasure enthusiast. A strong run of the standard sycee types follows.

A robust Provincial Issues section presents over 240 lots. This vast and deep area of Chinese numismatics is well represented with coinage from Anhwei, Chekiang, Chihli, Fengtien, Fukien, Honan, Hunan, Hupeh, Kiangnan, Kiangsi, Kiangsu, Kirin, Kwangsi, Kwangtung, Kweichow, Shanghai, Sinkiang, Szechuan, Taiwan, Tibet and Yunnan. The first highlight appears just six lots in - Lot 50052 is a condition census Chekiang 1898 50 Cents piece.

The next highlight is featured prominently on the front cover of the catalog: Lot 50056, a Chihli (Pei Yang Arsenal) 1896 Dollar. This rare and impressive coin offers gorgeous multi-color iridescent tone and is a stunning piece certain to elevate the next collection it enters. Another exceptional Chihli piece is Lot 50078, a Mint State 1907 Dollar with lovely champagne toning. Moving on to Fukien province, a rare 20 Cent issue commemorating the "Victory of the Revolutionary Army's Northern Expedition" is featured as Lot 50098.

The ever popular Hupeh Tael in Lot 50107 has "Small Characters" and a dynamic pair of flying dragons, a very desirable type. Lot 50161 is a high grade and rare "Wu Shen" Dollar from Kirin that features the Arabic numeral "11" at the center of the reverse and is an exception for an issue that is typically encountered with surface issues such as chopmarks. An exceptional Auto Dollar from Kweichow in Lot 50181 offers quality that is especially nice.

There are an additional three Auto Dollars, a veritable "Car Dealership." Lot 50188 is a historically significant Shanghai Tael, representing an attempt to oust the Spanish 8 Reales as the currency of choice in Shanghai. This piece is notable as the first Tael coinage produced in China. The next highlight is also a major first for Chinese numismatics: an "Old Man" Dollar produced in Taiwan. This coin "Lot 50226" is considered the first silver dollar minted in China and remains an ever-popular type. Tibet is represented by a strong run of coinage of over 30 lots in this catalog.

Immediately following the Provincial coinage is the Empire General Issues section. A glorious 1906 5 Mace Restrike in Lot 50302 is the finest certified. Starting with Lot 50304, there is a steady run of highlights: two gorgeous 1910 Pattern Dollars, a ¼ Dollar from the same series, a tremendous “Long Whisker Dragon” Dollar and a “Reversed Dragon Pattern” Dollar. The Long Whisker Dollar offers gorgeous toning and the “Reversed Dragon” Pattern features blazing white luster (Lots 50307 and 50308).

Republic General Issues are well represented in this sale, with nearly 90 lots that include many popular types representing the personages of the era: Sun Yat-sen, Li Yuan Hung, Yuan Shih-kai, Hsu Shih Chang, Tuan Chi Jui and Tsao Kun. The highlights begin with a superb gem quality Low Stars Dollar (L&M-42) as Lot 50322. An exceptional Li Yuan Hung with hat Dollar appears as Lot 50324 while a gorgeous Dragon and Peacock Dollar is found in Lot 50369.

A trio of exciting Sun Yat-sen Pattern Dollars are offered as Lots 50377 through 50379, with two from the British dies and one from the Austrian design. Lot 50387 is a superb gem Yuan Shih-kai in tall hat Dollar featuring pristine surfaces and radiant luster. One of the most interesting highlights offered in this auction is the "Mint Sport" Pattern Dollar with Gold Standard Reverse (Lot 50394). A history of this piece can be found in the catalog or online at StacksBowers.com.

Three separate offerings of the Yuan Shih-kai Flying Dragon Reverse Dollar in Lots 50395 through 50397 present an always in demand and visually stunning type. Rounding out the Republic section are two Meng Chiang aluminum pieces (a Fen [Cent] as Lot 50410 and a Chiao [10 Cents] as Lot 50411). Soviet Issues feature a rarely encountered Hupeh-Honan- Anhwei Soviet Dollar, with an intriguing pseudo-Russian script of debased Cyrillic (Lot 50412), the fascinating history of which can be found in the catalog. Additional exciting pieces are found in the Fantasies and Chinese Medals sections, so if Exonumia piques your interest be sure to browse there.