Hsüan-t'ung copper Specimen Pattern Li ND (1910) SP63 Brown PCGS, Vienna mint, KM-Pn272, Hsu-31, CCC-627, CL-HB.75, Duan-2484, Hsu (Copper)-531, HNS-2166. Variety with well-defined, wider rims. A significant Pattern for its small size, ranked as the rarest of the just two varieties in copper by Zhou and Li. Planned as part of a larger, new denominational series following a hiatus in minting at Tientsin in 1909 and the death of Emperor Kuang-hsü in 1908, the Li was to be the smallest coin produced, forming the tail of a 4-coin copper series comprised of the 2 Fen, 1 Fen, 5 Li, and Li (replacing the 20, 10, 5, and 1 Cash). Established by Wright as having been produced in Vienna by engravers Rudolf Neuberger, Adolf Hofman, and Josef Prinz, the issue was ultimately shelved when Luigi Giorgi introduced a freshly designed series of coins based on the more conventional Cash standard in 1911. While PCGS records that they have certified a total of 16 examples of this particular type--distinguishable by its sharp, squared-off rims with a pronounced inner ring--we have been able to locate just two others in sales records of the past 2 decades, with the Q. David Bowers piece ranking just a point finer. Bearing an antique walnut patina, this piece very nearly appears to be a contender for a higher technical grade, presenting few grounds for complaint on the whole.

HID09801242017

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