Hupeh. Kuang-hsü "Large Characters" Tael Year 30 (1904) MS62 NGC, Wuchang mint, KM-Y128.1, L&M-181, Kann-933b, Chang-CH136, WS-0879, Wenchao-582 (rarity 2 stars), Chang Foundation-Unl. Large characters variety. A classic Chinese provincial rarity, and one which enters into a state of supreme scarcity as one moves up the Mint State grading scale, with most falling far below this level. The rarer of the two varieties known for this one-year type, the denomination was originally introduced as part of a projected coinage reform based on the traditional system of Chinese weights, rather than the relatively recently introduced decimalized Dollar system. Expertly rendered with noticeably few serious signs of contact to bound the assigned grade, both sides retain a full degree of cartwheel luster, an extremely mild golden patination taking to the surfaces which otherwise disclose little evidence of their over 100-year age. Certainly among the finer representatives of the variety we have presented, we would note that the Wa She Wong example certified a full point lower, while the Pinnacle specimen ranked as an UNC Details.

HID09801242017

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