| Stack's Bowers Galleries (& Ponterio) > April 2024 Hong Kong Auction | Auction date: 15 April 2024 |
| Lot number: 42316 Price realized: 3,400 USD (Approx. 3,199 EUR) Note: Prices do not include buyer's fees. | |
| Lot description: (t) CHINA. China - Germany. Bronze Medal of Merit for the Qing Dynasty & Prussian Army Long Service Silver Medal II Class, ND (ca. 1896). ALMOST UNCIRCULATED. An interesting set of medals that, for all intents and purposes, appears to have been awarded to a member of the German embassy that accompanied Li Hung-chang on his world tour. The bronze medal offers a pleasing, rich brown patina with what appears to be remnants of silvering on the edge. The devices are well struck and crisp, with light signs of handling contained to the exposed areas and high points. The suspension ball has been slightly modified for ease of suspension on the bar. The Prussian medal is nicely preserved with intact enamel with light handling. Also included is a conjoined ribbon bar for both medals. 1) China. Bronze Medal of Merit for the Qing Dynasty Imperial Envoy, ND (ca. 1896). Birmingham Mint. Weight: 33.20 gms. Diameter: 54.78 x 43.15 mm. Li-Qing Dynasty Medals, pg.33. Also known as the "Legation" medal. Commemorating Li Hung Chang's world tour. Obverse and Reverse: Two facing dragons, a sun design between with "大清欽差大臣" (Imperial envoys of the Qing Dynasty) above, and "功牌賞給" (Merit Medal) below, all encircled by an ornamental border. 2) Germany. Prussia. Silver Army Long Service Medal, II Class, ND. Weight: 7.44 gms. 25.06 x 34.14 mm. Baroc-70. Obverse: "F.W.III." with black enamel, silver border. Estimate: $2000 - $4000 |  |
Match 1:
| Heritage World Coin Auctions > Hong Kong Signature Sale 3111 | Auction date: 9 December 2023 |
| Lot number: 34012 Price realized: 525,000 USD (Approx. 487,568 EUR) Note: Prices do not include buyer's fees. | |
| Lot description: China Hsüan-t'ung silver Specimen Pattern "Long-Whiskered Dragon" Dollar Year 3 (1911) SP64+ NGC, Tientsin mint, KM-Pn304, L&M-28, Kann-223, WS-0040, Wenchao-105 (rarity 3 stars). Raised veins in outer leaves variety. A colossus of world numismatics, whose mere presence dominates entire sales and always excites collectors, regardless of their collecting specialty. On offer is this historic representative, and the finest we've had the pleasure of yet handling as a clear outlier across the entire series. Tranquil, glasslike expanses present an appropriate canvas for Giorgi's expertly-crafted design, rising in clear contrast and seemingly projecting towards the viewer when in-hand. Truly inspiring and accompanied by undiluted aesthetic superiority, with only the most trivial of imperfections to bound this piece from a Gem assignment. Only one other has certified finer for this variety, with our current example being the finest to come to market in more than two decades, and with this in mind, we wait with anticipation for this piece to cross the auction block. Among the most famous Patterns from the end of the Qing Dynasty are the "Long-Whiskered" Dragon Dollars of 1911 - renowned symbols of the artistic zenith of late Imperial China. Enduring as a testament to the virtuosity of acclaimed Central Mint engraver, Luigi Giorgi, who perpetuated his legacy with many striking designs throughout Imperial and Republic periods, and whose signature alone excites collectors, regardless of the issue. These numismatic marvels, born out of the Emperor's intent to standardize the national currency, were intended to erase the diverse provincial monetary norms and replace the foreign silver Dollars that had consistently undermined China's centralized fiscal policy. While the Dragon design, as seen here, was ultimately confined to the realm of Pattern concepts, it has nonetheless profoundly enthralled collectors of Chinese numismatics. https://coins.ha.com/itm/china/empire/china-hsuan-t-ung-silver-specimen-pattern-long-whiskered-dragon-dollar-year-3-1911-sp64-ngc-/a/3111-34012.s?type=DA-DMC-CoinArchives-WorldCoins-3111-12092023 HID02906262019 © 2023 Heritage Auctions | All Rights Reserved Estimate: 600000-800000 USD |  |
Match 2:
| Stack's Bowers Galleries (& Ponterio) > April 2024 Hong Kong Auction | Auction date: 15 April 2024 |
| Lot number: 40224 Price realized: 46,000 USD (Approx. 43,286 EUR) Note: Prices do not include buyer's fees. | |
| Lot description: CHINA. Silver "Mint Sport" Dollar, ND (ca. 1930s). Tientsin Mint. PCGS MS-62. L&M-910; K-Unlisted; KM-Unlisted; WS-Unlisted. Unmistakably the product of boundless frivolity at the central mint, this alluring and EXTREMELY RARE specimen features the muling of two reverse dies for the Yuan Shih-kai series (or, quite possibly, the reverse of the "Dragon & Phoenix" large characters Dollar, given their essentially shared design). Highly brilliant and prooflike, with immense radiance in the fields and essentially no toning of which to speak. For the afficionados of the Yuan Shih-kai series, this presents an important opportunity that simply cannot be missed, as this represents the first such instance in which we have offered the type. Rather unsurprisingly, a scanning of the archives reveals that it may be quite some time indeed before another such example of the type crosses the auction block To view all items from the Nine Dragons Collection, click here. From the Nine Dragons Collection. Estimate: $20000 - $40000 |  |
Match 3:
| Stack's Bowers Galleries (& Ponterio) > April 2024 Hong Kong Auction | Auction date: 15 April 2024 |
| Lot number: 42316 Price realized: 3,400 USD (Approx. 3,199 EUR) Note: Prices do not include buyer's fees. | |
| Lot description: (t) CHINA. China - Germany. Bronze Medal of Merit for the Qing Dynasty & Prussian Army Long Service Silver Medal II Class, ND (ca. 1896). ALMOST UNCIRCULATED. An interesting set of medals that, for all intents and purposes, appears to have been awarded to a member of the German embassy that accompanied Li Hung-chang on his world tour. The bronze medal offers a pleasing, rich brown patina with what appears to be remnants of silvering on the edge. The devices are well struck and crisp, with light signs of handling contained to the exposed areas and high points. The suspension ball has been slightly modified for ease of suspension on the bar. The Prussian medal is nicely preserved with intact enamel with light handling. Also included is a conjoined ribbon bar for both medals. 1) China. Bronze Medal of Merit for the Qing Dynasty Imperial Envoy, ND (ca. 1896). Birmingham Mint. Weight: 33.20 gms. Diameter: 54.78 x 43.15 mm. Li-Qing Dynasty Medals, pg.33. Also known as the "Legation" medal. Commemorating Li Hung Chang's world tour. Obverse and Reverse: Two facing dragons, a sun design between with "大清欽差大臣" (Imperial envoys of the Qing Dynasty) above, and "功牌賞給" (Merit Medal) below, all encircled by an ornamental border. 2) Germany. Prussia. Silver Army Long Service Medal, II Class, ND. Weight: 7.44 gms. 25.06 x 34.14 mm. Baroc-70. Obverse: "F.W.III." with black enamel, silver border. Estimate: $2000 - $4000 | |
Match 4:
| Noble Numismatics Pty Ltd > Auction 134 | Auction date: 21 November 2023 |
| Lot number: 2919 Price realized: 2,600 AUD (Approx. 1,707 USD / 1,562 EUR) Note: Prices do not include buyer's fees. | |
| Lot description: Group of Nine: War Medal 1939-45; Australia Service Medal 1939-45; Australian Active Service Medal 1945-1975, - three clasps - Malaya, Malaysia, Vietnam; Naval General Service Medal (GVIR), - clasp - Minesweeping 1945-51; United Nations Korea Medal 1950-53; General Service Medal 1962-2007, - clasp - Malay Peninsula; Vietnam Logistic and Support Medal 1964-73; Australian Service Medal 1945-1975, - four clasps - Japan, PNG, Korea, FESR; Royal Naval Long Service and Good Conduct Medal (EIIR Dei.Gratia). P.M.8316. D.G.Gilbert. on first medal, PM8316 D G Gilbert on second and fourth medals, R36845 D G Gilbert on third, seventh and eighth medals, 36845 D.G.Gilbert on fifth medal, R.G.Gilbert R36845 on sixth medal, and 36845 RPO D.G.Gilbert. R.A.N. on last medal. All medals impressed or pantographed. Court mounted, a few medals with light contact marks, otherwise mostly extremely fine. Together with riband bar; RAN hat with Petty Officer's badge (QC) (top of hat with some foxing; b&w photo of D.G.Gilbert with 3 young sailors; programme for Form of Ceremony for Naming and Commissioning of H.M.A.S. Melbourne on Friday 28th October, 1955; invitations to Mr and Mrs D.Gilbert from the Commanding Officer H.M.S. Rhyl, 5 January (no year) at 1930 (7.30pm); Mr and Mrs D.G.Gilbert from The Government of Victoria to say farewell to His Excellency Major-General Sir Rohan Delacombe KCMG, KCVO, KBE, CB, DSO, KStJ, Governor of Victoria, 25 March 1974; Mr and Mrs D.G.Gilbert from the Government of Victoria to say farewell to His Excellency The Right Honourable Sir Paul Hasluck GCMG, GCVO, KStJ, Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia, 27 June 1974; Mr & Mrs D.Gilbert from the Commodore and Members of the Royal Melbourne Yacht Squadron to attend Centenary Ball and Presentation Dinner; Mr D.Gilbert (R.Y.C.V.) from Commanding Officer and Ship's Company H.M.A.S. Cook to attend Commissioning Ceremony at Williamstown Naval Dockyard, 28 October 1980; Mr and Mrs D.G.Gilbert from the Governor and Mrs McCaughey of Victoria to honour the Birthday of Her Majesty The Queen; The Northern Territory News, Darwin Saturday September 27, 1969, shows a photo on front page that appears to be D.G.Gilbert in uniform but caption has been torn from below photo. Douglas George Gilbert, clerk, born 21Sep1926 at South Melbourne, Vic; Enl.30Apr1945 in Royal Australian Naval Reserve at Port Melbourne and then served overseas; Disch.21Jan1947 as Able Seaman; Re-Enl.16May1949 and served at various postings and ships; awarded Royal Naval Long Service and Good Conduct Medal on 26Feb1962; Disch.20Jan1973 as Chief Petty Officer and Master-at-Arms, HMAS Cerberus. With research by Mostly Unsung and copy of Service File. Estimate: 3000 AUD |  |
Match 5:
| Stack's Bowers Galleries (& Ponterio) > April 2024 Hong Kong Auction | Auction date: 15 April 2024 |
| Lot number: 40118 Price realized: 27,000 USD (Approx. 25,407 EUR) Note: Prices do not include buyer's fees. | |
| Lot description: (t) CHINA. Gold K'uping Tael Pattern Restrike, "Year 29 (1903)" (ca. 1970s). Uncertain Mint in Switzerland (struck from Osaka Mint dies). Kuang-hsu (Guangxu). NGC PROOF-62. L&M-1019; Fr-Unlisted; K-927; KM-Pn296; WS-0001; Wenchao-6 (rarity: ★★★★★). Although a modern restrike struck from original dies, this issue remains EXCEPTIONALLY RARE and highly sought after by collectors given its elegant and wondrous design. This type seldom appears on the market and can often be considered virtually uncollectable. Extremely vibrant and radiant, with a majestic degree of mirrored brilliance in the fields and expertly struck devices. Some subtle cabinet friction accounts for the overall designation, but is easily overlooked on account of its superlative and extraordinary nature. Although officially struck off-metal in silver and seemingly bronze at the Tientsin Mint, the original dies were ordered from and prepared by the Osaka Mint in Japan, with any version and generation considered EXTREMELY RARE and desirable. The order for this new series of denominations and coining system was done under the supervision of Robert Hart, Inspector General of Maritime Customs. The initial goal was an early attempt to unify Chinese coinage under the gold standard. Denominations were produced in 1 Tael as well as 5, 2, 1 and 1/2 Mace (5 Candareens). The project failed for several reasons and never came to fruition, with one of the major forms of resistance coming from the directors of the provincial mints, as the plan called for one central mint being responsible for coinage production. This was meant to ensure the uniformity of the new coinage, and would have cut into the profits of the provincial directors. Also, at this time, there was no plan in place to deal with the vastly different types of paper money circulating in China, nor was there a plan regarding acceptance and exchange of these disparate currencies. It would appear that the gold versions of these denominations, including the Tael presented here, were struck with the original dies at a later date in the 1970s, with a mint in Switzerland issuing sets of the denominations in their intended gold format. Allegedly, the dies were used again in the 1980s for subsequent gold restrikes, with said dies receiving some "re-touching." Of note, one can see some subtle evidence of die rust on the present example, such as below and to the left of the P in "POO" on the dragon side, and below the "hu" character (戸) on the characters side. As such, it would appear that the present example would, at the very least, emanate from an "initial" restriking using the dies, as characteristics like the aforementioned die rust would seemingly have been removed at some point later on. Of further intrigue, one can detect similar instances of die rust and/or cracks on the silver counterparts, leading to the conclusion that some of the silver strikings with these dies may also, in fact, be later issues rather than contemporary to 1903. Estimate: $30000 - $50000 |  |
Match 6:
| Sovereign Rarities Ltd > Auction 11 | Auction date: 16 November 2023 |
| Lot number: 248 Price realized: Unsold | |
| Lot description: China, Hunan Province, silver Yuan or Dollar, Year 11 (1922), Provincial Constitution issue, crossed national and provincial flags centre with flower above, all within inner beaded border, English inscription THE REPUBLIC OF CHINA and denomination ONE YUAN surrounding, rev. Trigram of the Pah Kwah within wreath centre dividing denomination 壹圓, Chinese legend 念紀立成憲省南湖 日一月一年一十國民華中 surrounding, edge milled (KM Y.404; Kann 763; L&M 867). When submitted to NGC for grading, the coin was deemed 'Questionable Authenticity' however the same coin was previously submitted to NGC and was deemed 'Altered Surface'. The coin is sold unencapsulated. NGC Certification 'Questionable Authenticity' 6944741-006 NGC Certification 'Altered Surface' 6358926-015 The Chinese legend translates as "Commemorative of the Constitution of Hunan Province, January 1st, Year 11 of the Republic of China." Hunan Province was at the forefront of the federalist movement in China during the Qing Dynasty. Activists advocated for each province of the Empire to be given autonomy, allowing for regional constitutions, parliaments, courts and independent armies. The movement never properly took off until the declaration of the Chinese republic in 1912, where Hunan largely rejected the rule of warlords that was seen in the rest of the country (though the military was still overrepresented within the regional government). The first constitution was drafted in 1920, ironically under the guise of Zhao Hengti, himself a warlord, before finally being enacted in 1922. It was viewed positively by different parts of society, as communists believed that it would develop class consciousness, liberals that it enhanced democracy and public participation in politics, and some that it would limit the power of the military. In the rest of China it inspired constitutionalists to move for provincial constitutionalism, kicking off a conference in Shanghai that drafted the first constitutions of 8 more regions. x This item is subject to 5% import duty. Starting price: 5400 GBP |  |
