| Stack's Bowers Galleries (& Ponterio) > April 2024 Hong Kong Auction | Auction date: 15 April 2024 |
| Lot number: 40208 Price realized: 65,000 USD (Approx. 61,165 EUR) Note: Prices do not include buyer's fees. | |
| Lot description: (t) CHINA. Silver "Mausoleum" Dollar Pattern, Year 16 (1927). Nanking Mint. PCGS Genuine--Cleaned, Unc Details. L&M-85; K-609; KM-Unlisted; WS-0130; Wenchao-898 (rarity: ★★★). Mintage: 480. Engraved by Richard Placht of the Vienna Mint. Though some minor cleaning is noted, this eminently desired issue remains exceptionally enchanting and attractive. A mostly argent nature is observed in the central portions of the obverse, while some champagne hues intensify as ones moves outward toward the edges. Meanwhile, the reverse is more evenly patinated, with the rising sun seemingly casting its warming rays all throughout the fields. A great opportunity for this ever-popular pattern. This heavily demanded and EXCESSIVELY RARE type is ceaselessly desirable on account of the miniscule mintage and elegant design. Despite the wonderful engraving work undertaken by the Austrian engraver, this piece was destined to fail on account of its design elements. Placht had never seen the mausoleum in question, and may also have never even seen a person of Chinese descent, making his rendering of Sun Yat-sen rather distinct from Sun's actual appearance. Kann reports a Chinese Mint official's comment that the portrait bore a much stronger resemblance to German military leader-turned-president, Paul von Hindenburg, instead of the intended Chinese hero. Estimate: $75000 - $125000 |  |
Match 1:
| Stack's Bowers Galleries (& Ponterio) > April 2024 Hong Kong Auction | Auction date: 15 April 2024 |
| Lot number: 40225 Price realized: 12,000 USD (Approx. 11,292 EUR) Note: Prices do not include buyer's fees. | |
| Lot description: (t) CHINA. Silver "Mint Sport" Dollar, ND (ca. 1950s). Tientsin Mint. PCGS Genuine--Cleaned, Unc Details. L&M-929; K-Unlisted; KM-Unlisted; WS-Unlisted. Undoubtedly emanating from idle hands at the mint, this specimen serves as a rather dramatic and interesting example of "mint sport," as it pairs reverses of two of the more iconic issues from the early Republic--that of the Yuan Shih-kai side-profile Dollar and the Sun Yat-sen "junk" Dollar. While it is difficult to assign any dating to this product of frivolity, one can see that the reverse of the Yuan Shih-kai Dollar shares all of the characteristics with that known as the "Hainan" type of 1920 (WS-0181-8). Namely, the non-bisected central leaf at the top left portion of the wreath, the somewhat 'recessed' field just interior to the denticles, and the lower right stroke of the "yuan" ending horizontally rather than with a slight uptick. These issues, known to have been struck in 1949 and circulated in the mainland until the fall of the Republic, point to a period of manufacture around this time--possibly shortly after the Republic had fallen, when such extracurricular activities could more easily be conducted. Indeed, even the "junk" side of this piece presents a somewhat recessed nature, paralleling the obverse of said "Hainan" Dollar, and alluding to similarities in method and period of manufacture. Lightly cleaned as noted, but endlessly engaging and intriguing, with exceptional brilliance and just a light degree of toning at the rims. Of the HIGHEST RARITY, and a specimen that would be extremely difficult, if not impossible, to replace. Estimate: $20000 - $40000 |  |
Match 2:
| Stack's Bowers Galleries (& Ponterio) > April 2024 Hong Kong Auction | Auction date: 15 April 2024 |
| Lot number: 40203 Price realized: 12,500 USD (Approx. 11,763 EUR) Note: Prices do not include buyer's fees. | |
| Lot description: CHINA. Dollar, ND (1924). Tientsin Mint. PCGS Genuine--Cleaned, Unc Details. L&M-865; K-683; KM-Unlisted; WS-0107; Chang-CH190. Tuan Chi-jui type commemorating the "Peaceful Unification" of China. An instantly recognizable and iconic type, this example does exhibit some evidence of a minor cleaning, with subtle hairlines sprinkled throughout. Nevertheless, the level of handling is exceedingly minimal, with tremendous brilliance remaining in the fields, and a pleasing burnished golden tone reappearing at the extremes of the peripheries. To view all items from the Nine Dragons Collection, click here. From the Nine Dragons Collection. Estimate: $15000 - $25000 |  |
Match 3:
| Stack's Bowers Galleries (& Ponterio) > April 2024 Hong Kong Auction | Auction date: 15 April 2024 |
| Lot number: 40207 Price realized: Unsold | |
| Lot description: CHINA. Silver "Mausoleum" Dollar Pattern, Year 16 (1927). Nanking Mint. PCGS SPECIMEN-62. L&M-85; K-609; KM-Unlisted; WS-0130; Wenchao-898 (rarity: ★★★). Mintage: 480. Engraved by Richard Placht of the Vienna Mint. An incredibly classic design as well as important type, this "Mausoleum" Dollar was never to be, leaving it as an infrequently offered commemorative issue. Often encountered with an issue of some kind, usually cleaning, this example stands quite happily without such annoyances and distractions. Extremely brilliant and lustrous, with a mostly gunmetal gray nature spread throughout. This heavily demanded and EXCESSIVELY RARE type is ceaselessly desirable on account of the miniscule mintage and elegant design. Despite the wonderful engraving work undertaken by the Austrian engraver, this piece was destined to fail on account of its design elements. Placht had never seen the mausoleum in question, and may also have never even seen a person of Chinese descent, making his rendering of Sun Yat-sen rather distinct from Sun's actual appearance. Kann reports a Chinese Mint official's comment that the portrait bore a much stronger resemblance to German military leader-turned-president, Paul von Hindenburg, instead of the intended Chinese hero. To view all items from the Nine Dragons Collection, click here. From the Nine Dragons Collection. Estimate: $150000 - $250000 |  |
Match 4:
| Stack's Bowers Galleries (& Ponterio) > April 2024 Hong Kong Auction | Auction date: 15 April 2024 |
| Lot number: 40035 Price realized: 17,000 USD (Approx. 15,997 EUR) Note: Prices do not include buyer's fees. | |
| Lot description: CHINA. Hunan. Dollar, Year 11 (1922). Changsha Mint. PCGS Genuine--Cleaned, Unc Details. L&M-867; K-763; KM-Y-404; WS-0930. Though experiencing a minor prior cleaning, this stately one-year commemorative issue presents some alluring and enticing gunmetal gray tone beginning to re-emerge, with a rather sharp strike and extensive brilliance radiating throughout. For those seeking a wonderful example that is free from circulation and virtually free from issue, the present specimen would no doubt serve exceptionally well in that role. To view all items from the Nine Dragons Collection, click here. From the Nine Dragons Collection. Estimate: $10000 - $15000 |  |
Match 5:
| Stack's Bowers Galleries (& Ponterio) > April 2024 Hong Kong Auction | Auction date: 15 April 2024 |
| Lot number: 40049 Price realized: 24,000 USD (Approx. 22,584 EUR) Note: Prices do not include buyer's fees. | |
| Lot description: CHINA. Kansu. Dollar, Year 17 (1928). Lanchow Mint. PCGS Genuine--Cleaned, AU Details. L&M-618; K-760; KM-Y-410; WS-0720. A VERY RARE and eminently desired type, this piece--featuring a frontal portrait of Sun Yat-sen similar to the "Mausoleum" Dollar--displays the emblem of the Kuomintang upon the reverse, and is so difficult to acquire that fantasies of it are hotly contested as well. For the connoisseur seeking the original, authentic product, and one that has experienced only light wear and minor cleaning, the present specimen will absolutely meet such demands. Pleasingly toned and a stately overall rendition of type. To view all items from the Nine Dragons Collection, click here. From the Nine Dragons Collection. Estimate: $30000 - $50000 |  |
