(t) CHINA. Sichuan Piaoding. Provincial Certified Ingots. Silver 10 Tael Local Tax Ingot, ND. Graded "AU 50" by Zhong Qian Ping Ji Grading Company.

BMC-Class XL. Weight: 353.2 gms. "(Chong) Qing" ([Chong]qing prefecture); later added stamps: "Xian Feng Yuan Nian" (Xianfeng era first year [1851]); "Yun Nan Sheng Zao" (Made in Yunnan province). A hulking 10 Tael ingot, this brawny silver piece has mottled dark patina that yields to more vibrant hues as the eye moves closer to the center of this ingot. The prefecture stamp is weak and unevenly appiled obscuring most of the characters and the later added stamps are boldly applied with clear characters. Minor earthen deposits in the crevasses adds much originality to this pleasing example.

Estimate: $600 - $1000