Annam (1847-83) 9 tien Fr-52
This specimen was lot 50094 in Stack's Bowers Hong Kong auction (Hong Kong, April 2021), where it sold for $114,000. The catalog description[1] noted,
"Massive Gold 9 Tien of Tu Duc. ANNAM. Gold 9 Tien, ND (1847-83). Tu Duc. PCGS Genuine--Damage, Unc Details Gold Shield. A VERY RARE example of this impressively broad 9 Tien denomination in gold. Fully detailed, the fields display a vivid yellow color that is commonplace on Annamese gold, while attractive russet-orange highlights have nestled around many of the designs. Unfortunately, in several locations, attempts were made to remove spots, leaving marks in those areas. While not overly damaging to the in-hand appearance, it does explain the "Details" grade that was assigned by PCGS. From the Pinnacle Collection."
Annam is today the central part of Vietnam. Ten tien = one lang with five tien roughly equal to a silver dollar in weight. Most were struck in silver but a few were made in gold, as this one. None are dated and can only be identified as to reign.
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: 34.07-34.20 g, gold; this specimen 33.96 g.
Catalog reference: Fr-52; KM-557; Schroeder-385B.
- Michael, Thomas, and Tracy L. Schmidt, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1801-1900, 9th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2019.
- [1]Orsini, Matt, Kyle Ponterio and Jeremy Bostwick, The April 2021 Hong Kong Auction, Costa Mesa, CA: Stack's Bowers LLC, 2021.
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