China (1927) yuan

Heritage sale 3015, lot 23968

photo courtesy Heritage Auction Galleries

Stack's Bowers April 2021 Hong Kong sale, lot 52216

Stack's Bowers April 2021 Hong Kong sale, lot 52228

Stack's Bowers April 2021 Hong Kong sale, lot 52229

The first specimen was lot 23968 in Heritage sale 3015 (Long Beach, September 2011), where it sold for $690. The catalog description^[1] noted, "Republic. Memento Dollar ND (1927), MS63 NGC, a choice and fully original coin with appealing toning and full mint brilliance, a premium example for this designation." The second specimen was lot 52216 in Stack's Bowers Hong Kong auction (Hong Kong, April 2021), where it sold for $9,300. The catalog description^[2] noted,

"CHINA. Dollar, ND (1927). PCGS MS-65+ Gold Shield. This highly attractive representative of the type exhibits well struck frosty devices displaying lovely smooth satiny surfaces with nice cartwheel luster. This charming survivor offers much originality with rich dusky patina in the peripheries adding to its pleasing appearance and desirability."

The third specimen was lot 52228 in Stack's Bowers Hong Kong auction (Hong Kong, April 2021), where it sold for $1,200. The catalog description^[2] noted,

"CHINA. Dollar, ND (1927). PCGS Genuine--Tooled, AU Details Gold Shield. "Military" or "Warlord" issue; "MEMENIO" legend variety. Some roughness and crudeness is noted, though entirely consistent with the type, while the tooling is noted nearer the peripheries. Some darker coloring is observed near the edges and highlighting the devices."

The fourth specimen was lot 52229 in Stack's Bowers Hong Kong auction (Hong Kong, April 2021), where it sold for $1,800. The catalog description^[2] noted,

"CHINA. Dollar, ND (1927). PCGS VF-30 Gold Shield. "Military" or "Warlord" issue; "REPUBIIC" variety. An interesting variety from this series exhibiting a bold strike with nice even wear and lovely golden gray patina offering much originality and a pleasing appearance sure to add depth to the next collection it enters."

In the late 1920's, Chiang Kai-Shek's Nationalists managed to defeat the Communists and extort professions of loyalty from most of the major warlords. During that brief calm, the mints issued several handsome commemoratives, including this one honoring Sun Yat-sen. He was unable, however, to stave off Japanese aggression and a new round of fighting began in 1931.

Recorded mintage: unknown but restruck more than once.

Specification: 27 g, .890 fine silver, .772 troy oz ASW.

Catalog reference: the first specimen: KM-Y318a, L&M-49. The second specimen L&M-49; K-608; KM-Y318a; WS-0160. The third specimen L&M-52; WS-0165-10. The fourth specimen L&M-54; K-608m; KM-Y318a; WS-0165-8.

Source:

Michael, Thomas, and Tracy L. Schmidt, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1901-2000, 47th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2019.
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]Cristiano Bierrenbach and Warren Tucker, Heritage World Coin Auction 3015, Dallas, TX: Heritage Auction Galleries, 2011.
^[2]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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China (1927) yuan

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