Taiwan (1838-50) dollar Kann-1
Taiwan was originally administered as part of Fujian Province. The archipelago became its own province in 1875. It was seized by Japan in the First Sino-Japanese War in 1895, and returned in 1945. The Republic of China government made Taiwan its seat in 1949, and it has been administered as a separate country since, though the People’s Republic of China does not recognize its sovereignty.
The specimen shown was lot 60668 in Ponterio sale 162 (Hong Kong, August 2011), where it sold for $21,510. The catalog description[1] noted,
"CHINA. Taiwan. 'Old Man' Dollar, ND (1838-1850). 台灣老公銀餅。 The First Dollar of China Initially designed as a form of military payment, the Taiwan dollar quickly gained the approval of the people and grew in popularity. This was primarily due to its high silver content, approximately 98% fine. At this time, the Spanish 8 Reales were the most widely accepted coin being 0.903, just over 90% fine. The obverse depicts the god of longevity with character that signify "Seven Two by the Treasury Scales". This represents the first depiction of what later became the standard "7 Mace 2 Candareens". Two small rectangular stamps on the reverse represent makers or security marks. This is standard for this issue and should not be confused as chop marks. It is normal for this type to be found in average to low condition, often heavily chop marked. RARE. (珍稀度☆☆☆)原本是為充當發放軍餉之用，這種台灣老公銀餅很快獲得公眾認可。主因是含銀的成份高，達98% 。此時最通行的西班牙本洋成色是 0.903，剛超過 90%。 正面是一位壽星及“庫平柒弍”字樣。這代表後來它成為 “七錢二分” 的標準。背面有兩個長方形戳印，可能是代表製作者或安全記號。這是發行時的標準形式，不可誤認是戳記。此類銀餅通常品相均差，有許多戳記是正常現象。稀少。NGC XF Details--Chopmarked. Wa She Wong Collection."
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: 26.80 g, silver.
Catalog reference: L&M-316; K-1; C#25-3; Chang Foundation-pg 42 #15; Wenchao-pg. 167 #170.
- Michael, Thomas, and Tracy L. Schmidt, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1801-1900, 9th 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]Ponterio, Richard, Ponterio sale 162: The August 2011 Hong Kong Auction, Irvine, CA: Stack's Bowers LLC, 2011.
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