CHINA. Mei-Feng Yinhang Xiaobao. American Oriental Bank Small Ingots. Silver Tael Bank Ingot, ND (ca. 1921-35). UNCIRCULATED.
BMC-Class XXXII Group A # 349. Weight: 41.47 gms. "A.O.B.C." (American Oriental Banking Corporation), "Mei Feng" (Mei Feng Bank) below all within circular border. This VERY RARE and seldom encountered issue, only the second example we have seen in recent decades, displays beautiful rich patina with iridescent hues that pop out when tilted in the light. The stamp is boldly applied with good definition of the details, though a small natural void on the face somewhat obscures a small potion of "Mei" mentioned for accuracy. Clearly given great care and stored for a prolonged period of time undisturbed, this handsome and nicely preserved example is pleasing with much originality. The issuing authority of this type, The American Oriental Banking Corporation, was the largest of all of the American banks in China. They became incorporated in 1917 and opened four branches; The American Oriental Bank of Shanghai (ca. 1917-35), The American Oriental Bank of Fukien (1922-35), The American Oriental Bank of Szechuan (1921-32) and The American Oriental Bank of Tientsin (ca. 1924-35); but by 1935 all of four branches were either bought out by their Chinese investors as in the case of the Szechuan branch or closed due to China's departure from the silver standard which caused their foreign exchange business to fail terribly.

Estimate: $6000.00- $8000.00

美豐銀行小寶。美國東方銀行一兩小錠。
重 41.47克。圓形邊框内有「A.O.B.C.」(美國東方銀行)、「美豐」(美豐銀行)在下方。 非常罕見 而且難得一見的版別。近數十年來第二次經手。包漿醇厚，光線下旋轉可見虹彩流轉。戳記深刻，筆劃清晰，正面有一天然小凹痕，"美"字小部分較模糊。顯然經長時間靜置，保存悉心，品相俊俏。 發行機構美豐銀行為中國最大的美資銀行。成立於1917 年，共開設四家分行：上海美豐銀行(約1917-1935)、福建美豐銀行(1922-35)、四川美豐銀行(1921-32)和天津美豐銀行(約1924-35)。到1935年，四家分行不是被中國投資者收購，就是像四川分行那樣因中國脫離銀本位製而關閉，導致其外匯業務慘敗。