Hong Kong Coin Auction 50 Pre-Sale Highlights

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Oscar Baldwin
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1 Hong Kong Coin Auction 50 Pre-Sale Highlights 7 th April 2011 Far Eastern coins, world coins, medals and banknotes Auction Partners: A. H. Baldwin & Sons Ltd, London Ma Tak Wo Numismatic Co. Ltd, Hong Kong Held in conjunction with The Hong Kong International Coin Convention and Antique Watch Fair Venue: Crystal Room, Level B3 Holiday Inn Golden Mile 50 Nathan Road, Kowloon HONG KONG China People s Republic: Gold Proof 2000 Yuan 1 Kilogram Coin, Year of the Rabbit, 1999, Troy oz AGW. Mintage: 15 pieces (KM 1238). With certificate no. 8 and in original case of issue. Brilliant mint state. A modern rarity with a most auspicious number. Estimate: US$200, ,000 Perhaps the luckiest piece in the auction, not only does the lot include the certificate Number 8 it is also a coin of the year of the Rabbit. In Chinese culture the number 8 is regarded as the most auspicious of all the numbers, signifying wealth and prosperity; while the rabbit is deemed to be the most fortunate of

2 the 12 Chinese zodiac animals, bringing luck to individuals and businesses alike. With a number of rabbits amongst the Baldwin s staff we are hopeful that this piece will prove to be a good omen for the Hong Kong auction and for the lunar year to come. China Empire, General Issues: Peking Mint: Silver Pattern 50 Cents, CD1900, old restrike from original dies (Kann 234; L&M 7A). Weak strike on dragon s head, lightly toned, uncirculated and very rare. Estimate: US$8,000 10,000 Little is known about the Peking mint other than it did function briefly before it became entangled in the Boxer Rebellion, The mint designed steel dies for the production of coins in the denominations $1, 50, 20, 10 and 5 cents. During the hostility the mint was looted and later destroyed completely by the Boxers who were fighting Western Imperialism and Christianity. An unnamed mint worker managed to save 4 of the dies. These were later sold to a well known Chinese numismatist, along with 8 sets of the Peking coins all struck at the Peking Mint. It is believed that the dies were later shattered when workers in a civilian workshop tried to use them. Hupeh Province 湖北省 : Silver Ben Shen 本省 20 Cents, Chinese date 1895 (Kann 37; L&M 178). Attractively toned extremely fine, very rare. Estimate: US$40,000 50,000 This classic rarity is missing from all the major Chinese collections sold in recent years. The distinctive variety is in the two Chinese characters, meaning this province, either side of the dragon, below the English provincial name. 1 dollar and 10 cents denominations also exist. Fengtien Province 奉天省 : Brass Pattern 20 Cents, undated (1897), Rev TENG TIEN PROVINCE (sic) above dragon (L&M 469). About extremely fine and extremely rare. Estimate: US$25,000 30,000 These brass pattern coins were struck from dies prepared at the Anking Mint in Anhwei Province, but the coinage was never adopted. There are 1 dollar, 50 cents and 10 cents patterns known, in addition to the present 20 cents. All are extremely rare.

3 China Republic, General Issues: Yuan Shih Kai: Gold Pattern Dollar, ND (1916), Obv 3/4 facing military bust, L. GIORGI above shoulder, Rev winged dragon, bust and calligraphy differ. Kann lists a similar gold coin with a different bust and calligraphy but without L. GIORGI as 1560b. However, the variety with L. GIORGI eluded even Kann (Kann 1560b for type; L&M 1115A). Uncirculated and extremely rare. Estimate: US$80, ,000 China Sycees: Republic 民國 : Gold 10 Tael Bar, ND (C.1930s), stamped 台銀 ( 臺灣銀行 Bank of Taiwan), 成色 991, 驗, 市両 , 瑞泰 twice, 313g, 15mm x 127mm x 7mm. Extremely fine and rare. Estimate: US$22,000 27,000 This early Republican bar was probably part of the gold hoard the Nationalist Government acquired when the Chinese people were compelled to surrender their gold, silver and foreign currencies in exchange for the ChinYuan notes 金圓券 in 1948 and subsequently ended up in the vault of the Bank of Taiwan when the Nationalist Government moved to Taiwan in China Republic, General Issues: Bank of Communications: $1, 5 and 10, 1 July 1913, Tientsin, serial nos , and (P 110f, 111d, 112i). The $5 uncirculated, the $1 and 10 about uncirculated, all rare as issued notes. (3pcs) Estimate: US$10,000 12,000 One of the most interesting lots to be included in the sale is a hand wrought jewellery ensemble designed by the 19 th Century French goldsmith jeweller dynasty, the family Froment Meurice. The jewellery comprises 33 Roman and Ancient Greek coins mounted in the distinctive rococo style and is believed to be a highlight of the firm s spectacular display at the 1900 World Fair Exposition in Paris. The jewellery is housed in an elongated octagonal case with brass hinges, maroon velvet exterior, velvet and satin lining and two hasps. The collection is housed over two levels in the presentation case; the larger pieces are displayed on top with the smaller pieces on a layer beneath. The lid of the case bears a blank embossed crown of a German Prince, possibly a Price of Prussia or another leading German state. The set comprises, two all gold necklaces (the larger of the two has a detachable pinback broach attached that can be worn separately), two sets of Roman gold coin earrings, a heavy set slave bracelet

4 and 2 hairpins (designed for the high pile Gibson Girl hairstyles of the time) and finally a single ornate gold juncture with jump ring, used to join detachable parts of the set. The combined weight of the pieces is grams or troy ounces. This magnificent lot beautifully showcases the skills and achievement of the family Froment Meurice and is of great historic significance. The 11 coins that make up the gold necklace comprise: Alexander III, The Great ( B.C.), AV Staters (3) Vespasian (A.D ), AV Aureus (1) Trajan (A.D ), AV Aurei (4) Hadrian (A.D ), AV Aureus (1) Antoninus Pius (A.D ), AV Aureus (1) Marcus Aurelius (A.D ), AV Aureus (1) The 4 coins that make up the pinback brooch comprise: Faustina Jnr. (wife of Marcus Aurelius), AV Aureus (1) Lucilla (wife of Lucius Verus), AV Aurei (3) The 9 coins that make up the single strand necklace comprise: Nero (A.D ), AV Aureus (1) Vespasian (A.D ), AV Aureus (1) Trajan (A.D ), AV Aureui (6) Lucius Verus (A.D ), AV Aureus (1) The 5 coins that make up the bracelet comprise: Titus (A.D ), AV Aureus (1) Domitian (A.D ), AV Aureus (1) Trajan (A.D ), AV Aurei (3) The 2 hairpins comprise: Trajan (A.D ), AV Aureus (1) Antoninus Pius (A.D ), AV Aureus (1) The 2 earrings comprise: Nero (A.D ), AV Aureus (1) Trajan (A.D ), AV Aureus (1) Estimate: US$200,00 250,000

5 Notes to the Editor: The Hong Kong Coin Auction is held twice annually in conjunction with the Hong Kong International Coin Convention and Antique Watch Fair and always over the three days after the auction. It is organised by Ma Tak Wo Numismatic Co. Ltd and A.H. Baldwin & Sons Ltd and details of how to book an exhibition table or get tickets for the show can be obtained from either of the partners. A.H. Baldwin & Sons have been holding auctions in Singapore and Hong Kong with local partners since 1993 and this will be the 36 th auction they have held together. Baldwin s auction department hold between ten and twelve sales annually in London, New York and Hong Kong and specialise in all areas of Numismatics. Baldwin s & Ma Tak Wo offer an online bidding service via Buyers Premium for this auction is set at 18% Auction Partners Ma Tak Wo Numismatic Co Ltd 馬德和錢鈔有限公司 Unit A2, 9 th Floor, China Insurance Building, 48 Cameron Road Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon, Hong Kong Tel: (++852) Fax: (++852) A. H. Baldwin & Sons Ltd 11 Adelphi Terrace, London WC2N 6BJ, United Kingdom Tel: (++44) (0) , Fax: (++44) (0) auctions@baldwin.co.uk Website:

Mombasa Silver Error Shilling, 1942H, struck with two reverses. About extremely fine, a nice mint sport

Mombasa Silver Error Shilling, 1942H, struck with two reverses. About extremely fine, a nice mint sport 3670 Silver Error Shilling, 1942H, struck with two reverses. About extremely fine, a nice mint sport. 80-120 3671 Cupro-nickel Error 10-Cents (5), 1956, struck in cupro-nickel rather than in copper, counterstamped