China (1910) 50 cents Y-23
This specimen was lot 2367 in Sincona Auction 101 (Zürich, October 2025), where it sold for 10,000 CHF (about US$15,072 including buyers' fees). The catalog description[1] noted,
"CHINA Kaiserreich, Standard Unified Coinage. Half Dollar (50 Cents) o. J. (1910), Tientsin Mint. Hsuan-t'ung (Xuantong [Puyi]). Pattern. Selten, besonders in dieser Erhaltung. (empire of China, unified coinage, undated half dollar, circa 1910, Tientsin mint, Pu-Yi emperor, pattern. Rare, especially in this condition. NGC MS61.)"
This rare type was struck by the central administration directly for the emperor. The overthrow of the dynasty in 1912 prevented large issues of this type.
Recorded mintage: 1,571,000 plus proofs.
Specification: 13.40 g, 0.800 fine silver.
Catalog reference: L&M 25, KM Y23.
- Michael, Thomas, and Tracy L. Schmidt, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1901-2000, 47th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2019.
- Kann, Eduard. Illustrated Catalog of Chinese Coins, Vol. 1 of 3. Bronx, NY: Ishi Press International, 2006.
- Lin Gwo Ming, Illustrated Catalogue of Chinese Gold & Silver Coins: Ching and Republican Issues, Seventh Edition, Hong Kong: Ma Tak Wo Numismatic Co., Ltd., 2012.
- [1]Richter, Jurg, SINCONA Auction 101: World Coins, Medals and Banknotes, Swiss Confederate Coins, Medals and Banknotes, Shooting Coins and Medals, Zurich: SINCONA AG, 2025.
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