Wednesday, April 3, 2013

World Coin of the Week: Szechuan Pattern 7 Mace 2 Candareens struck in Brass brings $47,800 in strong Stack’s Bowers and Ponterio Hong Kong Auction


By Greg Cohen, Professional Numismatist and Consignment Director, U.S. and World Coins. Catalog description by Chris Chatigny, Cataloger.


This wonderful and fresh to the market pattern rarity, purchased in the 1960s from New York coin dealer Hans M.F. Schulman, brought a strong $47,800 realization after spirited floor bidding, on an estimate of $15,000-$20,000.

The coin was described in our catalog as follows:

“CHINA. Szechuan. Pattern 7 Mace 2 Candareens (Dollar) Struck in Brass, ND (1897). NGC MS-62.L&M-345 (for type); K-145y; KM-Pn15; C.C. Tsiang-pg. 98 fig. 219 (for type); Ferracute: The History of an American Enterprise: pg. 72; H. Chang-CH37 (for type); Shih-C17-4 (for type); Wenchao-pg. 464 #730 (for type); The Modern Coinage of China 1866-1949-pg. 83 #9. During this year multiple patterns were struck at several places in the United States. Sets of patterns were struck at the U.S. Mint in Philadelphia while the other sets were struck at the Ferracute factory in New Jersey. According to Edward Kann the pieces from the Philadelphia Mint were struck in "Perfect Silver Content". Pieces in aluminum and brass (like this one) were struck at the Ferracute factory. The designs for the Ferracute pieces were exact copies of those of Kwangtung with the exception of the province name. Henry Janvier of Ferracute was sent to China to oversee the establishment of the Chengtu Mint and to ensure the machinery was set up properly. VERY RARE. Attractive luster around the devices.”

We would like to congratulate the successful bidder on acquiring a very rare item, sure to be a highlight of his or her cabinet.

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