Taiwan (1853) dollar Kann-4
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 21812 in Ponterio sale 165 (Hong Kong, April 2012), where it sold for $53,775. The catalog description[1] noted,
"Lot #21812. CHINA. Taiwan. Bi Pao Ration "Sumi Calligraphy Brushes" Dollar (6 Mace 8 Candareens), ND (1853). NGC EF Details--Chop Marked. 台灣筆寶足重六八銀餅。Taiwan Bi Pao Ration Dollar, ND (1853) Wenchao-pg. 175#183 (rarity three stars). The Taiwan Treasury supplied the silver to produce this issue in order to pay for military rations and soldiers. These were issued during a period of uprising in 1853, which lasted several months. Struck in the city of Taiwan, once the uprising was put to an end, minting of this coinage ceased. This would suggest a very low mintage for this type. Normally, this type found is in average to low condition, often heavily chop marked. This coin is attractively toned, well struck on a broad planchet with a moderate number of chop marks. This type is much rarer than the previous type of L&M-323 as it features crossed Sumi calligraphy brushes in place of the normal crosses lotus flowers. (珍稀度☆☆☆)。這是台灣府財庫為發放官兵軍餉而製作。時間是1853年，持續了幾個月，當動亂平息後就停止打造，意即數量非常有限。通常所見品相都很差，而且有很多戳記。此枚壓印完整，氧化形成的包漿相當漂亮，戳痕只有中等程度。這種有兩枝毛筆交叉圖案形式的要比如意銀餅更為稀少。NGC EF Details--Chop Marked. Newton / Bressett Collection"
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: silver.
Catalog reference: L&M-325; K-4; C #25-5; Chang Foundation-unlisted type; Wenchao-pg. 175#183.
- 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,’’The April 2012 Hong Kong Auction, Sale #165’’ Irvine, CA: Stack's Bowers LLC, 2012.
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