Republic Yuan Shih-kai "Plumed Hat" Dollar ND (1916) MS64+ PCGS, Tientsin mint, KM-Y332, L&M-942, Kann-663, WS-0097. Struck for the inauguration of Yuan Shih-kai as Emperor Hung-hsien. An instantly recognizable type, from both the obverse and reverse designs, featuring the famed "Plumed Hat" portrait of the then emperor Hung-hsien and the symbolic flying dragon motif finely executed on the reverse. While his imperial reign was fleeting, those issues struck in commemoration of the event remain hotly contested in any condition, let alone on the cusp of a Gem assignment. This specimen is imbued with a quite unique patina, mottled gray, sometimes streaky, but also delivering green-yellow tones that sometimes end in seafoam. Though the patina is strong, the underlying mint brilliance is readily apparent upon viewing, with powerful luminosity springing forth from the fields and smooth gloss coating the obverse portrait. Example of this "Flying Dragon" type don't often surface at such a level of quality so interested collectors should be sure to make a strong offer on this selection. HID09801242017 © 2024 Heritage Auctions | All Rights Reserved

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