China (1936)-A 20 cents
This specimen was lot 1090 in Goldberg Sale 137 (Los Angeles, January 2024), where it sold for $6,300. The catalog description[1] noted, "China. 20 Cents, Year 25 (1936)-A. Vienna Mint. Extremely rare proof issue. Pop 7; 1 in 67. NGC graded Proof 66. Ex Goldberg Sale 47, May 28, 2008, lot 2420 (part)." 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. He was unable, however, to stave off Japanese aggression and a new round of fighting began in 1931. This type was struck again 1938-39, after which the outbreak of World War Two blocked further imports of nickel. Patterns exist in copper, aluminum, aluminum bronze and pewter.
Recorded mintage: 49,620,000 (Shanghai mint) plus 40,000,000 with mintmark "A" (shown here).
Specification: 6.05 g, nickel, 24.06 mm diameter.
Catalog reference: KM Y350.1.
- Michael, Thomas, and Tracy L. Schmidt, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1901-2000, 47th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2019.
- [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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