| Stack's Bowers Galleries (& Ponterio) > April 2024 Hong Kong Auction | Auction date: 15 April 2024 |
| Lot number: 43016 Price realized: Withdrawn | |
| Lot description: ANNAM. "Song Long" 5 Tien, ND (1848-83). Tu Duc. NGC MS-63. KM-437; Sch-347.3. A gorgeous Choice example of this SCARCE 5 Tien struck on a broad planchet. The artistic obverse design depicts a pair of twin dragons soaring up through the clouds towards a fiery sun. Exquisitely well-struck and virtually unhandled, it projects an enchanting lustrous glow beneath its rustic gray surfaces. Estimate: $3000 - $5000 |  |
Match 1:
| 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 2:
| 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 3:
| Stack's Bowers Galleries (& Ponterio) > April 2024 Hong Kong Auction | Auction date: 15 April 2024 |
| Lot number: 43008 Price realized: Unsold | |
| Lot description: ANNAM. "Dragon and Phoenix" 5 Tien, ND (1841-47). Thieu Tri. NGC MS-65. KM-282; Sch-243; Thierry-Unlisted; Thierry Supplement-Unlisted; T.Z.S.L.-pg.283 # 58; Dav-117. Weight: 19.08 gms. Obverse: "Thieu Tri", flanked by dragon right and phoenix left; Reverse: "Phan Long Lan Phu Phung Duc". The SINGLE FINEST example certified by either NGC or PCGS. The absolute pinnacle for a type which is VERY RARE in any grade, this Gem is a breathtaking survivor. The level of preservation allows unrivalled clarity for the coin's intricate, artistic details. Elegant charcoal tone gives the piece antique charm but still allows abundant luster to radiate throughout the fields. A great opportunity for collectors at the highest level, and undeniably among the jewels of the entire Annamese series. This type invokes loyalty and duty with its symbolism and inscription translated as "To rely on the protection of the sovereign in order to reach a high rank". The iconic dragon representing the emperor and is a symbol of prosperity and power of the nation while the mythological Phoenix represents grace, nobility, virtue and pride. Estimate: $42000 - $50000 |  |
Match 4:
| Stack's Bowers Galleries (& Ponterio) > January 2024 NYINC Auction | Auction date: 12 January 2024 |
| Lot number: 53307 Price realized: 4,000 USD (Approx. 3,648 EUR) Note: Prices do not include buyer's fees. | |
| Lot description: SIERRA LEONE. Sierra Leone - Mexico. 13 Pence (1/4 Dollar), ND (1832-34). William IV. NGC EF-40. KM-10; Vice-FT.6. Weight: 6.54 gms. Issued by order of council minutes 30 March 1832 until 6 December 1834, officially withdrawn January 1839. Countermark: Ornate crowned "WR". Applied to the obverse of a 1809-11-Mo HJ Mexico cut 1/4 armored bust 8 Reales of Ferdinand VII (KM-110). This beautifully preserved and attractive example offers a pleasing appearance with rich old cabinet patina. The countermark is deeply impressed on a wholesome problem free host with plenty remaining design features. This seldom encountered popular issue offers much originality with good eye appeal. It is important to note that David Vice attributes this countermark, FT.6, as being a "modern concoction". It is the belief of this cataloger as well as other more recent scholars, such as Bob Lyall, that the present piece is indeed a contemporary issue. There are several examples of this countermark that show evidence of being struck on multiple surfaces with varying degrees of wear and die degradation as listed below. 1) Ex: Noonans Auction 190 (4/2021) Lot # 1088; Ex: Marshall Collection (Spink 3/2004) Lot # 679; Purchased from Spink (11/1942). (cataloged as FT.6 with footnote "Although described by Vice as a 'modern' countermark Bob Lyall, the cataloguer of this coin at the time of the 'Marshall' sale in 2004, disagreed, as does the consignor"). 2) Ex: David Vice Collection (Heritage 1/2016) Lot # 37160 (cataloged as FT.2). 3) Ex: Heritage CSNS (5/2023) Lot # 31826; Ex: Edward Roehrs Collection (Dix Noonan & Webb 11/2011) Lot # 596; Ex: Henry Christensen Auction (10/1964) Lot # 25; Ex: Howard D. Gibbs Collection (Schulman 11/1960) Lot # 549 (cataloged as FT.2). 4) Ex: Ponterio & Associates CICF (4/2008) Lot # 2327. (pierced through the crown, cataloged as an unlisted punch). Ex: Clyde Hubbard Collection. Ex: Howard D. Gibbs Collection (Schulman 11/1960) Lot # 451. Estimate: $2000 - $4000 |  |
Match 5:
| Stack's Bowers Galleries (& Ponterio) > January 2024 NYINC Auction | Auction date: 12 January 2024 |
| Lot number: 53261 Price realized: 13,000 USD (Approx. 11,855 EUR) Note: Prices do not include buyer's fees. | |
| Lot description: GREAT BRITAIN. Great Britain - France. Dollar (4 Shillings 9 Pence), ND (1797-99). George III. NGC VG Details--Scratches. S-3765B; KM-628; cf. Bull-1863; Manville-117 (this piece cited). Authorized 9 March 1797. Countermark: Bank of England Type I, Bust of George III within oval indent. Applied to the obverse of a 1786-B (Toulouse Mint) France Ecu of Louis XVI (KM-564.10). With an additional "5/" countermark of an unknown issuer, presumably applied in Scotland during the early years of the Industrial Revolution to indicate 5 shillings. This charming well worn survivor exhibits even wear with much of the host design bold and clear. The surfaces display a pleasing light gray tone with richer slate patina amongst the devices and crevasses adding a bit of contrast. Close inspection reveals two thin scratches on the bust that appear to have been present before the application of either countermark. This is evidenced by the fact that the one at the base of the oval countermark extends over the edge, but does not continue. Despite the details designation a presentable example of this EXTREMELY RARE host type with few known examples today. It is important to point out that coins with multiple countermarks from different locations are in most cases extremely rare and highly unusual. Typically, the Bank of England issues appear with only a single countermark, either the oval (1797-99) such as the present piece or the Octagonal (1804). Few examples are known that carry more than one and should be considered highly desirable. Ex: A-Tokyo Collection. Ex: Joseph Lepczyk Auction # 43 (11/1981) Lot # 1314. Estimate: $1500 - $2500 |  |
