China (1921) dollar K-676a

Sedwick Treasure Auction 35, lot 1198

This specimen was lot 1198 in Sedwick Treasure Auction 35 (Winter Park, FL, May 2024), where it sold for $114,000. The catalog description^[1] noted, "CHINA, Republic, Tientsin mint, dollar, Hsu Shih-chang, Year 10 (1921), medallic alignment, no legend at bottom on reverse, smooth edge, 民国十年徐世昌像仁寿同登光边无字。, PCGS SP61. The beauty of the intricately detailed Pavilion Dollar can only be surpassed by its rarity. This example of one of the most desirable key coins in Chinese numismatics shows sharply struck details of this artistically designed piece down to the woodwork above the pavilion entry. This first, and rarer, style features the blank bottom legend on the reverse which was intended to be engraved. Deeply toned with blue and purple coloration along with golden hues around the rims, quite lustrous with a few wispy hairlines in the fields. A great rarity in any form, more so as a Specimen 61-graded example." In the commentary on K-676, Matt Orsini wrote, "An incredibly popular and desirable type believed to have been a pattern issue, it now appears that these were, in fact, more medallic in nature, and meant to be given out upon the opening of the Peking Union Medical College (PUMC). Initially designed with a blank field below the pavilion for recipients' names to be engraved, the design was altered to contain the three struck characters instead, as the engraving proved difficult on the initial batch."

Recorded mintage: unknown.

Specification: 26.4 g, 0.890 fine silver, 39 mm diameter.

Catalog reference: L&M-957; Kann-676a; WS-0103.

Source:

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]Sedwick, Daniel Frank, Augi Garcia, Cori Sedwick Downing and Connor Falk, Treasure Auction 35, World, U.S Coins and Paper Money, Winter Park, FL: Daniel Frank Sedwick LLC, 2024.

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China (1921) dollar K-676a

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