Yunnan (1911) 20 cents Y-256a
Yunnan Province lies in the south of China, bordering Burma (Myanmar), Laos, and Vietnam. Various mints were active in imperial times, with one modern mint operating in Kunming starting in 1905, striking the first copper coins in 1906 and silver in 1908.
The first specimen shown was lot 60696 in Ponterio sale 162 (Hong Kong, August 2011), where it sold for US$2,270. The catalog description[1] noted, "CHINA. Yunnan. 1 Mace 4.4 Candareens (20 Cents), ND (1911-15). 雲南省造光緒元寶一錢四分四釐銀幣。Fire ball has 3 circlets at bottom. 火珠三小圈。NGC MS-62. Ex: The Frank Robinson Collection.” The second specimen was lot 53534 in Stack's Bowers Hong Kong auction (Hong Kong, April 2021), where it sold for $1,920. The catalog description[2] noted, "CHINA. Yunnan. 1 Mace 4.4 Candareens (20 Cents), ND (1911). PCGS MS-63 Gold Shield. Variety with three circles and dot under fiery pearl. A choice minor, this example features an argent brilliance along with some hints of russet near a portion of the peripheries."
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: 5.30 g, 0.65 silver, 0.1108 oz ASW.
Catalog reference: L&M-423; K-173a; KM-Y256a; WS-0687.
- 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]Ponterio, Richard, Ponterio sale 162: The August 2011 Hong Kong Auction, Irvine, CA: Stack's Bowers LLC, 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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