Mao's Long March
Illustrated in WS
(t) CHINA. North Shensi Soviet. Dollar, Year 5 (1935). Uncertain Mint. NGC VF-30.
L&M-892; K-Unlisted; KM-2; WS-1345 (this coin illustrated). An incredible specimen of IMMENSE RARITY, this example emanates from the final soviet issues around the time of Mao's Long March into North Shensi in 1934-35. No sooner did the Red Army reach refuge in the north than the Kuomintang sought to nationalize the former's silver. As such, the former switched to paper and retained silver for its reserves. Differing from many of the other Soviet issues, which represented the western date through characters, this type instead dates to an era year. However, the era is that of the Chinese Soviet Republic (year 5) and not the Chinese Republic. Some striking weakness, a very common aspect to these utilitarianly produced issues, is evident, along with a degree of expediency with respect to character formation and a lack of artistry, but the overall state of preservation is rather astonishing, with a minimum of scattered bruises and subtle abrasions, and charming gunmetal gray tone that intensifies around the characters and devices. The first example of the type that we have had the privilege of offering, and no doubt one of the finest of the type that one could ever hope to encounter. An iconic, keystone piece for any advanced collection of the Chinese Soviet series, or the vintage Chinese series more broadly.
From the KL Collection.

毛澤東長征
一九三五年中華蘇維埃共和國五年製壹圓銀幣。
陝北省蘇維埃銀幣，陝北省蘇維埃政府於1935年鑄行，正面中央是壹圓，幣值兩側輔以穀穗，周邊上環是""中華蘇維埃""，下環是""共和國五年製""六字，反面正中有鐮刀、斧頭，周邊是""全世界無產階級反被壓迫民族聯合起來""十七字。此枚鑄於1934-35年間紅軍長征抵達陝北前後，存世寥若星辰，珍罕之至。1935年後隨著紅軍的轉移和撤離，蘇區蘇維埃銀幣逐步停止鑄行，當紅軍一撤走，國民黨意圖沒收紅軍白銀，紅軍被迫改用紙幣，僅以白銀作為儲備。與其他以西曆作紀年的蘇維埃銀元不同，此枚採用中華蘇維埃共和國紀年（五年）。 誠然，鑄造略顯粗糙，字體稍為隨意，藝術性稍遜，此乃當時條件所限。然其整體品相極佳，僅有少許磕碰和磨損，炮銅色包漿迷人，圖文間色澤更深，更顯層次分明。此版式我司尚屬首次經手，其品相之高，亦屬罕見。對於任何一位資深中國蘇維埃銀元或中國近代銀元藏家而言，此枚都是不可或缺的鎮庫之寶。出自KL集藏系列。 (t) On September 1, 2019, the United States enacted new tariffs on collector's items of Chinese origin, including bullion and numismatic coins and banknotes. This lot was manufactured in China and was sourced from outside the United States for this auction after the tariffs were enacted. Accordingly, any client who wishes to take delivery of this item within the United States will be subject to a 7.5% import tariff plus a processing fee of 0.3464% (minimum $31.67 / maximum $614.35). Please note, this is not, and is not intended to be, a complete description of the applicable import tariffs and buyer remains fully liable for and agrees to promptly pay all tariffs and fees relating to the import of these items into the United States and neither the auctioneer nor any consignor will have any responsibility to pay any applicable tariffs or fees. Please consult your tax adviser with any questions. Furthermore, any lots subject to an import tariff will be shipped directly from our Hong Kong offices and shipments to the United States will be subject to our international shipping chart.

Estimate: $500000.00 - $600000.00