China (1921) dollar KM-Pn65
This specimen was lot 1087 in Goldberg Sale 137 (Los Angeles, January 2024), where it sold for $264,000. The catalog description[1] noted, "China -Republic. Dollar Struck in Gold, CD 10th year (1921). Three characters at bottom. Minted at Tientsin in commemoration of General Hsu Shih-Chang's succession to the presidency of China. Facing bust in civilian dress without hat. Reverse: Pavilion. Well struck with full mint bloom. Very Rare. Pop 5; None Finer at NGC. NGC graded MS-64. Ex Goldberg Sale 41, May 27, 2007, lot 4278." Hsu Shih-Chang (1855-1939) is known as Xú Shìchāng in Pinyin spelling. He was president of China 1918-22. In the notes for the silver version, Stack's writes, "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: Reeded edge, 39.0 mm diameter.
Catalog reference: L&M-1093; Kann-1570 (Type of K-676); KM-Pn65.
- 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]Goldberg, Ira, Stephen Harvey and Vera Kan, Goldberg Sale 137: the Pre-Long Beach Auction, featuring the Peh Family Collection, Los Angeles: Goldberg Coins and Collectibles, 2023.
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