| Heritage World Coin Auctions > Hong Kong Signature Sale 3111 | Auction date: 9 December 2023 |
| Lot number: 34002 Price realized: 5,500 USD (Approx. 5,108 EUR) Note: Prices do not include buyer's fees. | |
| Lot description: Annam Tu Duc 3 Tien ND (1848-1883) MS62 NGC, KM442, Schr-407a, S&H-4.12.1.2. 11.18gm. Inspiring for the type and one we haven't handled of this variety in quite some time, dating back to 2015. On offer is an attractive "Three Stages of Longevity" 3 Tien, relaying ample detail and originality unlike any that have come to market recently. Amber hues resonate across the fully struck-up devices, relaying a superior eye appeal and state of preservation. https://coins.ha.com/itm/annam/annam-tu-duc-3-tien-nd-1848-1883-ms62-ngc-/a/3111-34002.s?type=DA-DMC-CoinArchives-WorldCoins-3111-12092023 HID02906262019 © 2023 Heritage Auctions | All Rights Reserved Estimate: 3000-5000 USD |  |
Match 1:
| Heritage World Coin Auctions > Hong Kong Signature Sale 3111 | Auction date: 9 December 2023 |
| Lot number: 34003 Price realized: 10,000 USD (Approx. 9,287 EUR) Note: Prices do not include buyer's fees. | |
| Lot description: Annam Tu Duc 5 Tien ND (1848-1883) UNC Details (Reverse Cleaned) NGC, KM457.1, Schr-359, S&H-4.10.1.2. 18.75gm. Without a doubt one of the most collectible types across Annamese coinage, and one that has garnered increasing interest within the last few years. An instantly recognizable issue, this "Five Happinesses" 5 Tien features five auspicious bats, each strikingly crisp and embellished with a subtle mauve silhouette, and sure to pique the interest of quality-conscious collectors. https://coins.ha.com/itm/annam/annam-tu-duc-5-tien-nd-1848-1883-unc-details-reverse-cleaned-ngc-/a/3111-34003.s?type=DA-DMC-CoinArchives-WorldCoins-3111-12092023 HID02906262019 © 2023 Heritage Auctions | All Rights Reserved Estimate: 5000-7000 USD |  |
Match 2:
| Stack's Bowers Galleries (& Ponterio) > April 2024 Hong Kong Auction | Auction date: 15 April 2024 |
| Lot number: 43013 Price realized: 18,000 USD (Approx. 16,938 EUR) Note: Prices do not include buyer's fees. | |
| Lot description: ANNAM. "Five Bats" 5 Tien, ND (1848-83). Tu Duc. PCGS MS-62. KM-457.1; Sch-359; Thierry-V263/V264 (gold); Thierry Supplement-Unlisted; T.Z.S.L.-pg. 292 # 100; Dav-133. Weight:18.20 gms. Variety with clouds surrounding the top two bats. Obverse: "Ngu Phuc", two bats in clouds above and three bats in clouds below; Reverse: "Tu Duc Thong Bao". An exceptional Mint State representative, this stunning auspicious 5 Tien delivers crisply applied details, with strong luster and touches of deep and alluring toning throughout. A piece that will doubtlessly capture the attention of many, as examples of this type are amongst the most consistently demanded issues from Annam. The symbolism and inscription on this type represents a clever play on words where the word "Phuc" meaning happiness has a similar sound to the animal depicted, the bats. In Chinese culture the word for bat is "Fu" and is pronounced the same was as the word for good fortune. Estimate: $10000 - $15000 |  |
Match 3:
| Heritage World Coin Auctions > Hong Kong Signature Sale 3111 | Auction date: 9 December 2023 |
| Lot number: 36061 Price realized: 2,400 USD (Approx. 2,229 EUR) Note: Prices do not include buyer's fees. | |
| Lot description: Annam Tu Duc "Meeting of the Dragons" 7 Tien ND (1848-1883) AU Details (Scratch) PCGS, KM468, Schr-347, S&H-3.4.1.3. A scarce and highly collectible large-format issue from Tu Duc's reign, featuring the Song Long motif, or meeting of the dragons. Enveloped in a uniform gunmetal patina, the piece remains largely unhandled, and were it not for the scratch across the reverse, it would be amongst the finest we've seen. https://coins.ha.com/itm/annam/annam-tu-duc-meeting-of-the-dragons-7-tien-nd-1848-1883-au-details-scratch-pcgs-/a/3111-36061.s?type=DA-DMC-CoinArchives-WorldCoins-3111-12092023 HID02906262019 © 2023 Heritage Auctions | All Rights Reserved Estimate: 1000-2000 USD |  |
Match 4:
| Stack's Bowers Galleries (& Ponterio) > April 2024 Hong Kong Auction | Auction date: 15 April 2024 |
| Lot number: 43006 Price realized: 12,000 USD (Approx. 11,292 EUR) Note: Prices do not include buyer's fees. | |
| Lot description: ANNAM. "National Confidence" 5 Tien, ND (1841-47). Thieu Tri. PCGS MS-62. KM-283; Sch-247; Thierry-V170/V171 (gold); Thierry Supplement-Unlisted; T.Z.S.L.-pg. 285 # 73; Dav-119. Obverse: Facing dragon amongst clouds; Reverse: "Thieu Tri Thong Bao Trieu Dan Lai Chi". The second finest certified of the type on either the NGC or PCGS population reports with only one finer (PCGS MS 64). This highly attractive and beautifully preserved example displays lovely rich cabinet patina with much remaining luster in the protected areas on a nicely produced planchet. The surfaces are smooth displaying a pleasing mottled gray coloration with a slight iridescent sheen featuring more pronounced sunset hues amongst the devices that complements the facing dragon. Clearly this example sat for a prolonged period of time undisturbed and was given great care producing an appearance that is sure to catch the attention of many collectors. The inscription, translated as "The whole nation will be confident", on this type was borrowed from a chapter in the "Tho Kinh", a manuscript of penal laws of the Prince of Lu. This appears to follow the teachings of Confucius who believed in a well-ordered society tied to tradition and the past, but also valued academia and held the view that the country resembled a large family guided by a righteous and just ruler. Confucius believed that the ideal ruler governed by compassion, not force, and would avoid war while tending to the needs of the less fortunate. Though a ruler who failed to set a good example for his subjects, their reign would end in disaster. Estimate: $10000 - $15000 |  |
Match 5:
| Stack's Bowers Galleries (& Ponterio) > April 2024 Hong Kong Auction | Auction date: 15 April 2024 |
| Lot number: 40235 Price realized: 32,000 USD (Approx. 30,112 EUR) Note: Prices do not include buyer's fees. | |
| Lot description: CHINA. Republic. Silver Hand Engraved Serving Tray Inlaid with Chinese Dollars, ND (ca. 1927-32). Diameter: 33cm; Weight: 1,268 gms. This astonishing inlaid tray contains numerous numismatic RARITIES and speaks volumes to the proficient work done by the well-known silversmith, Mr. Zee Sung. Sung was active in Shanghai during the early years of the Republic up to the 1950's. The attention to detail and artistry of the engraving is typical of his work, but on a much larger magnitude than normally encountered for items of this nature. Usually when silver wares, in similar fashion to the present piece, are encountered they were done so in much smaller scale, with less artistry and far less attention to detail was paid. It is clear Mr. Sung spent much time in the preparation of this magnificent item given the amount of fine details offering many different textures and prominently features stylistic initials "EvK". The segmented rim, imitating bamboo stalk, is another feature reminiscent of the period, but in our experience is not typical of Sung's work. Each of the numismatic treasures contained in this piece are securely held in place appearing to be braised in several areas. Like many vintage silver artifacts that were manufactured for use and display the surfaces do show evidence of being cleaned numerous times over the decades with rich slate patina in the protected areas and crevasses. The reverse exhibits richer mottled patina with a slight iridescent sheen that is commonly seen on old silver. Close inspection of the reverse reveals Mr. Sung's well-known hallmark "ZEESUNG" and is flanked by what appears to be the character "Jian" (儉) in a square frame; also the rim shows methodical smoothing appearing to have been done during the manufacturing process which makes sense given the complex and time-consuming nature of the sophisticated precious metal work. When this wonderful piece was commissioned, the coins used would have either been supplied or gathered from circulation and added to the cost of manufacture. By today's standards there are several significant, important and highly desirable numismatic relics that are sought after by many collectors. When examining and comparing the pieces used, we notice that not even one can be dated after 1927, which in and of itself is of interest, and that there are no Sun Yat-sen "Junk" Dollars present. This last part is of special interest given how prevalent "Junk" Dollars are in today's marketplace and gives us a narrower time frame for when this piece was probably made. Most sources state that Mr. Sung was active circa 1910's to the 1950's, but we were unable to locate anything definitive. What we did find were several business listings for Mr. Sung, his company names and addresses in contemporary documentation. The earliest of these listings was "Zee Sung & Co." and was listed in the "China & Far East Finance & Commerce Year Book" Shanghai, 1921 where he is listed as one of the principal advertisers in "F. & C." publications. Another entry we were able locate was listed in "The Comacrib Directory of China 1925" published by the Commercial & Credit Information Bureau 29 Szechuen Road, Shanghai, China which was subsequently located on the same street as Mr. Sung's shop. This particular listing was specific and listed out the services that were offered by Sung and is as follows "Zee Sung & Co., Ltd. - Jewellers, Gold and Silver Smiths, Watch Repairers, Engravers, Dealers in Diamonds, Pearls, etc - 105 Szechuan Road" with what appears to be a listing of people who worked under Mr. Sung. The last listing in which we were able to locate was from the "Shanghai Classified Telephone Directory",1947 issue where Mr. Sung is under the Jewellers - Retail section as "Zee Sung Jewellery & Co. 464 Szechuan C (Szecn)". Clearly Mr. Sung was active with his business for a prolonged period and produced countless fine wares. By and large we don't really have a way to determine when a piece of his was made, but with the present piece coming to light a more specific period of manufacture can be ascertained based on the points above and is why we prescribed the date circa 1927-1932. Each piece contained in this beautifully done piece is as follows clockwise: 1) CHINA. Dollar, ND (1916). Tientsin Mint. Hung-hsien (Hongxian [Yuan Shih-kai]). L&M-942; K-663; KM-Y-332. Variety with reeded edge and no signature, dragon reverse. 2) CHINA. Silver Dollar Pattern, Year 12 (1923). Tientsin Mint. L&M-81; K-680; KM-Y-336. Small characters variety. 3) CHINA. Dollar, ND (1912). Wuchang Mint. L&M-45; K-639; KM-Y-321. Li Yuan Hung without hat. 4) CHINA. Kwangtung. 7 Mace 2 Candareens (Dollar), ND (1890-1908). Kwangtung Mint. Kuang-hsu (Guangxu). L&M-133; K-26a; KM-Y-203. Variety with small rosettes (struck from Heaton Mint dies). 5) CHINA. Dollar, ND (1923). Tientsin Mint. L&M-959; K-678. Tsao Kun in military attire/Proclamation of the Constitution commemorative. 6) CHINA. Dollar, ND (1927). L&M-49; K-608; KM-Y-318a.1. High six-pointed stars variety 7) CHINA. Dollar, Year 3 (1911). Tientsin Mint. Hsuan-t'ung (Xuantong [Puyi]). L&M-37; K-227; KM-Y-31. Variety with no dot after "DOLLAR". 8) CHINA. Dollar, ND (1924). Tientsin Mint. L&M-865; K-683. Tuan Chi-jui type commemorating the "Peaceful Unification" of China. 9) CHINA. Kirin. 7 Mace 2 Candareens (Dollar), CD (1905). Kirin Mint. Kuang-hsu (Guangxu). L&M-557; K-513; KM-Y-183a.3. Variety with 1904-style dragon, hooked "sheng" and "kuang," and dot within the Manchu script. 10) CHINA. Dollar, ND (1923). Tientsin Mint. L&M-958; K-677. Tsao Kun in civilian attire/Proclamation of the Constitution commemorative. 11) CHINA. Chihli (Pei Yang). 7 Mace 2 Candareens (Dollar), Year 34 (1908). Tientsin (Central) Mint. Kuang-hsu (Guangxu). L&M-465; K-208; KM-Y-73.2. Frozen date issue with plain 4 and long tail spine. 12) CHINA. Dollar, Year 10 (1921). Tientsin Mint. L&M-864; K-676. Variety with reeded edge and legend at bottom of reverse. 13) CHINA. Hupeh. 7 Mace 2 Candareens (Dollar), ND (1909-11). Wuchang Mint. Hsuan-t'ung (Xuantong [Puyi]). L&M-187; K-45; KM-Y-131 14) CHINA. Chang Hsun Silver Medal, Year 1 (1912) L&M-941; KMX-528. Reeded Edge. 15) CHINA. Kiangnan. 7 Mace 2 Candareens (Dollar), CD (1902)-HAH. L&M-248; K-93; KM-Y-145a.9 16) CHINA. Sinkiang. Sar (Tael), Year 6 (1917). Tihwa Mint. L&M-837; K-1265; KM-Y-45 17) CHINA. Dollar, Year 9 (1920). L&M-77; K-666; KM-Y-329.6 18) GREAT BRITAIN. Trade Dollar, 1911-B. Bombay Mint. KM-T5; Mars-BTD1 19) CHINA. Chihli (Pei Yang). 7 Mace 2 Candareens (Dollar), Year 29 (1903). Tientsin (East Arsenal) Mint. Kuang-hsu (Guangxu). L&M-462; K-205; KM-Y-73.1. Variety with period after "YANG".Due to the size and nature of this lot, additional shipping charges apply. Please call 800-458-4646 for more information. Estimate: $30000 - $50000 |  |
