Republic silver Pattern "Dragon & Phoenix" Dollar Year 12 (1923) MS63 NGC, Tientsin mint, KM-Y336, L&M-81, Kann-680, Chang-CH241, WS-0114, Wenchao-885 (rarity 2 stars), Shi Jiagan Collection-Unl., Shanghai Museum-607. Small characters variety. Perhaps the most impactful, if one of the shortest-lived, artistic designs in the whole of the Chinese Dollar series. Known in this size only from a single date minted in two varieties, the twin motif of the Dragon and Phoenix would go on to feature on the minors of 1926, becoming a firm part of Chinese numismatic canon. Frequently taken as a symbol of success and happiness in marriage--leading early numismatists like Kann, to suppose these coins had been minted to commemorate Pu Yi's wedding--the Dragon and Phoenix emblem seen here was introduced in response to general opinion that Yuan Shih-kai had betrayed the Republic and attempted to reinstitute a monarchy. While the design meant the demand for a new Dollar-sized coin that discarded of the imperial portrait, it nonetheless failed to stick owing to similar imperial associations--a fact which may seem baffling to numismatists and collectors today. Indeed, this piece proves exceptionally attractive, a subtle wine and blush patina decorating the obverse alongside frosty central motifs. Interestingly, although Shi Jiagan recorded this type in his Modern Coins of China, both issues are missing from the Shanghai Museum's work on his collection. From the Rulin Wei Collection

HID09801242017

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