CHINA. Hupeh. Tael, Year 30 (1904). Wuchang Mint. Kuang-hsu (Guangxu). PCGS Genuine--Scratch, Unc Details.
L&M-180; K-933; KM-Y-128.2; WS-0878. Small characters variety. Struck to a larger weight standard than that which is more commonly encountered with Chinese crowns of the period, this Tael stands as an ever-popular RARITY and is evergreen in terms of its desirability. Despite its scratched status, with a few scattered marks here and there, this specimen is otherwise happily free from wear upon the highpoints and retains an exceptional degree of radiant brilliance. As such, a tremendous opportunity for an iconic type. 648,000 Hupeh Taels were originally minted, inclusive of both large and small characters types; however, it is unknown exactly how many of each were struck. This Tael was introduced as part of a projected coinage reform based upon the traditional Chinese weight standard, rather than the Dollar system. In the initial proposal to produce these coins, it was also suggested to produce smaller denominations in the values of 1, 2, and 5 Mace. However, no such pieces have surfaced (even in pattern form), and it is unlikely that they were ever produced. The general populace found it complicated to convert two distinctly different coinage systems, especially when making change.
From the Nine Dragons Collection.

光緒三十年湖北省造大清銀幣庫平雙龍壹兩銀幣。
小字版。與當時在中國流通的銀元相比，此版的標準重量較重。熱度從未退消的長青版別。雖有劃痕及零散留痕，但高鑄處全然不見磨損，光澤璀璨耀眼。是收藏此經典版別難逢良機。湖北雙龍壹兩共製有648,000枚，大字版和小字版均計算在内，各版具體鑄造量不詳。當時的幣制改革擬棄用"圓"為單位，改用中國傳統重量單位製錢，湖北壹兩便應運而生。原本在製造雙龍壹兩的同時，鑄幣局還要鑄伍錢、貳錢、壹錢等輔幣。但是這些輔幣均無流通幣流傳於世(甚至不見樣幣)，因此很有可能未曾鑄出。當時的百姓普遍認為兩种幣制在轉換時會引起困擾，在找零時尤其如此。

Estimate: $30000.00- $50000.00