Kuang-hsü gold Proof Pattern Restrike "Kuping" Tael Year 29 (1903)-Dated PR64 NGC, Fr-Unl., L&M-1019, cf. Kann-927 (for original silver issue), WS-0001 = Wenchao-6 (rarity 5 stars) = Chang Foundation-2. Plain edge. This iconic emission, struck from original dies in Switzerland, is exceptionally scarce and one of the most sought-after issues in Chinese numismatics, having appeared at market only a small handful of times in the last 20 years. This captivating specimen is of appreciable quality, certified just shy of gem levels of preservation, possessing mellow harvest-gold surfaces yielding to lightly reflective fields and a sharply rendered and prominently displayed dragon. While the piece boasts near-cameo appearances lending to its superior aesthetic caliber, scant haze peppers the fields, obscuring notable die polish and scattered die rust. Highly unusual, the dies for this Pattern were ordered from and prepared by the Osaka mint in Japan, with the issue initially intended as part of a projected currency reform to adopt the gold standard under a national coinage. The endeavor, which called for a central mint responsible for the production of more uniform circulating coinage, eventually failed because, as Kann states, "[t]here were too many Chinese interests to be placated," relegating these proposed issues to historical obscurity. Reportedly, only 5 sets of restrikes (including the Tael, 5 Mace, 2 Mace, 1 Mace, and 1/2 Mace) were produced from the original Osaka dies in Switzerland in the 1970's, prior to the dies being "cleaned up" and further issues restruck in the 1980's; today, the dies reside in Taiwan. This current offering thus presents an exceedingly rare opportunity to acquire a visually and historically intriguing issue, and one that even the most advanced collectors will take interest in.

HID09801242017

© 2020 Heritage Auctions | All Rights Reserved

To the auctioneer's website