| Stack's Bowers Galleries (& Ponterio) > April 2024 Hong Kong Auction | Auction date: 15 April 2024 |
| Lot number: 40220 Price realized: 46,000 USD (Approx. 43,286 EUR) Note: Prices do not include buyer's fees. | |
| Lot description: CHINA. Hupeh-Honan-Anwhei Soviet. Laborers' & Farmers' Bank. Dollar, 1932 (in characters). Chinchiachai Mint. PCGS VF-30. L&M-888; K-803; Y-504; WS-1334. An EXTREMELY RARE and highly important Soviet issue, this crown, the few times in which it is actually encountered, always displays a fairly weak strike. In fact, Kann, who once owned this very piece, even mentions that it "...almost invariably is badly stamped, so that one rarely meets it in perfect condition; usually a part of the design remains invisible." Despite this expected weakness of strike, the present specimen offers a mostly even tone composed of deeper gunmetal gray and some glints of olive. Meanwhile, the level of wear is rather minimal, and surfaces on the whole remain enchantingly problem-free. To view all items from the Nine Dragons Collection, click here. From the Nine Dragons Collection. Ex: Eduard Kann Collection. Estimate: $15000 - $30000 |  |
Match 1:
| Stack's Bowers Galleries (& Ponterio) > April 2024 Hong Kong Auction | Auction date: 15 April 2024 |
| Lot number: 40222 Price realized: 32,000 USD (Approx. 30,112 EUR) Note: Prices do not include buyer's fees. | |
| Lot description: CHINA. Szechuan-Shensi Soviet. Dollar, 1934 (in characters). Szechuan-Shensi Mint. PCGS EF-45. L&M-891; K-808H; KM-Y-513.2; WS-1343. Variety with small, solid stars and without "o". One of the more popular Dollars within the 20th century Chinese series, this wholesome survivor offers an exceptionally pleasing strike and only light, even wear throughout. The surfaces are mostly gunmetal gray in nature, with some golden-olive and amber hues intensifying nearer the devices, offsetting them in an alluring manner. Fairly RARE when encountered in such an elite level of preservation, as is the case here, and one that should no doubt generate great enthusiasm. To view all items from the Nine Dragons Collection, click here. From the Nine Dragons Collection. Estimate: $40000 - $60000 |  |
Match 2:
| Stack's Bowers Galleries (& Ponterio) > April 2024 Hong Kong Auction | Auction date: 15 April 2024 |
| Lot number: 40040 Price realized: 52,500 USD (Approx. 49,403 EUR) Note: Prices do not include buyer's fees. | |
| Lot description: CHINA. Hupeh. Tael, Year 30 (1904). Wuchang Mint. Kuang-hsu (Guangxu). PCGS Genuine--Altered Surfaces, AU Details. L&M-180; K-933; KM-Y-128.2; WS-0878. Small characters variety. In addition to its enchanting and highly pleasing design, this specimen also presents immense popularity and RARITY, as it was part of an ill-fated and short-lived concept. Largely without any evidence of wear or handling, though some alteration to the surfaces is noted, hence the designation. Nevertheless, some alluring toning has begun to take hold, elevating its overall appearance. 648,000 Hupeh Taels were originally minted, inclusive of both large and small characters types; however, it is unknown exactly how many of each were struck. This Tael was introduced as part of a projected coinage reform based upon the traditional Chinese weight standard, rather than the Dollar system. In the initial proposal to produce these coins, it was also suggested to produce smaller denominations in the values of 1, 2, and 5 Mace. However, no such pieces have surfaced (even in pattern form), and it is unlikely that they were ever produced. The general populace found it complicated to convert two distinctly different coinage systems, especially when making change. Ex: Irving Goodman Collection (Superior - 6/1991) Lot # 1566. Estimate: $15000 - $30000 |  |
Match 3:
| Stack's Bowers Galleries (& Ponterio) > April 2024 Hong Kong Auction | Auction date: 15 April 2024 |
| Lot number: 40191 Price realized: 95,000 USD (Approx. 89,395 EUR) Note: Prices do not include buyer's fees. | |
| Lot description: (t) CHINA. Silver Dollar Pattern, Year 12 (1923). Tientsin Mint. PCGS MS-63+. L&M-81; K-680; KM-Y-336; WS-0114; Chang-CH241; Wenchao-885 (rarity: ★★). Small characters variety. A most wonderful example of such a pleasing and popular type, this glimmering Dollar is wholly abounding with beauty and charm. The brilliant luster is punctuated by some golden toning that adds just a hint of character. Meanwhile, the strike is exceptionally sharp and exacting, allowing for all design facets--even those that are quite intricate--to be clearly within one's scrutinizing gaze. As a Choice and highly impressive "Dragon and Peacock" crown, this piece is ensured much excitement and many bids, and stands as a VERY RARE example preserved at such an elite level. Ex: C. H. Fung Collection. Estimate: $100000 - $150000 |  |
Match 4:
| Stack's Bowers Galleries (& Ponterio) > April 2024 Hong Kong Auction | Auction date: 15 April 2024 |
| Lot number: 42211 Price realized: 44,000 USD (Approx. 41,404 EUR) Note: Prices do not include buyer's fees. | |
| Lot description: CHINA. Silver Dollar Pattern Mint Sport or Unofficial Restrike, Year 3 (1914). Tientsin Mint Dies. UNCIRCULATED Details. Cleaned. L&M-72; K-643; KM-Pn32; WS-0166; Wenchao-pg. 534#858 (rarity: ★★★); Mr. Shi Jiagan's collection-pg. 137#633; Sun-III-2-15. Weight: 24.83 gms. One of the most enigmatic issues of this Pattern we have every offered, with this piece likely representing a later made mint sport or unofficial striking of the three-quarters facing bust Pattern (L&M-72), made with official dies. Interestingly, this coin is not alone in this class of striking, and after study of other examples, this piece can be definitively linked to other certified examples of L&M-72 as well as the L. Giorgi signed patterns (L&M-73). Common characteristics include double striking, which is particularly bold on this example, and surfaces that display an as-made micro pockmarked texture. Most definitively, items in this class (both L&M-72 and L&M-73) were struck with the same reverse dies, each showing matching instances of die rust, which is heaviest near the top left tip of the 'yi' character. While it's almost certainly not a complete census, other examples in this class include lot 30193 in Heritage's December 2020 auction (L&M-72 - NGC MS-63), lot #51170 in our October 2022 Hong Kong sale (L&M-73 - NGC PR-61), and lot #51145 from our May 2022 auction (L&M-73 - NGC MS-61), which was once part of the collection of Richard Wright who authored The Modern Coinage of China, 1866-1949. Characteristics explored, it seems certain their manufacture from rusted dies ensures they were originals from the mint, however the quality of production suggests an unofficial or unsponsored piece. In fact, weighing this example yields a disparity of nearly 2 grams lighter than official issues (24.83 gms versus a standard of nearly 27 gms), which further supports the hypothesis of an unofficial strike or mint sport. Kann relays that mint sports were often the product of government minting facilities using official dies such as the present example. Because mint sport items were often a muling of different types, they are easy to distinguish, however examples are known to be struck over earlier dollars or display similar pockmarking of the surfaces, which helps draw a parallel between this piece and those classically identified as mint sport. Given these considerations, it is a fair summation to view this piece as a quasi-legitimate Pattern, produced with old original dies, on incorrect silver planchet stock. As far as the technical preservation of the piece, it remains nice, without wear but displays moderate handling in the form of hairlines. The surfaces give a soft glittering glow and a few instances of light tone. While it isn't a great surprise considering the enigmatic nature of this piece, we note that both PCGS and NGC have declined to encapsulate it, PCGS for "Authenticity Unverifiable" and NGC for "No Decision". As such, this issue must be treated as a SOLD AS IS/NO RETURNS lot. Despite the grading company decisions, we do believe that this example represents an intriguing and interesting Chinese numismatic item that raises questions of "when" and "why", but of which there is little dispute concerning the legitiamacy of the dies from which it was made. To view all items from the Nine Dragons Collection, click here. From the Nine Dragons Collection. Estimate: $5000 - $10000 |  |
Match 5:
| Stack's Bowers Galleries (& Ponterio) > December 2023 World CCO Auction | Auction date: 7 December 2023 |
| Lot number: 30614 Price realized: 11,000 USD (Approx. 10,195 EUR) Note: Prices do not include buyer's fees. | |
| Lot description: (t) CHINA. Dollar, Year 21 (1932). Shanghai Mint. PCGS AU-55. L&M-108; K-622; KM-Y-344; WS-0144. "Birds over junk" variety. The RARE and ever-popular first year of issue featuring the additional birds in flight over the junk, this barely handled specimen would serve as an excellent, more affordable option for a type that is ubiquitously in demand. Estimate: $5000 - $8000 |  |
