Yunnan (1919) 5 dollars Y-481
This specimen was lot 53571 in Stack's Bowers Hong Kong auction (Hong Kong, April 2021), where it sold for $8,700. The catalog description[1] noted, "CHINA. Yunnan. 5 Dollars, ND (1919). PCGS Genuine--Filed Rims, Unc Details Gold Shield. "2" below tassels. The noted damage appears on the obverse rim at 7 o'clock and 11 o'clock, but is difficult to see in the holder. A few hairlines, with some pleasing light coppery toning." Altho the noted mintage seems substantial for a gold coin, these are today very rare. We don't know why authorities at the time thought these would actually circulate. There is a variety (Y-481.1) without the '2' on the reverse.
Recorded mintage: 60,000 but rare.
Specification: 4.5 g, 0.750 fine gold, 18 mm diameter.
Catalog reference: L&M-1058; Fr-12; K-1527; KM-Y481; WS-0653.
- 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.
- Friedberg, Arthur L. and Ira S. Friedberg, Gold Coins of the World, From Ancient Times to the Present, 9th ed., Clifton, NJ: Coin and Currency Institute, 2017.
- [1]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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