2012年2月21日星期二

421) TU DUC THONG BAO LARGE COIN - CONFUCIAN MESSAGE


Tự Đức Thông Bảo (嗣德通寶), Rev. Quân quân thần thần phụ phụ tử tử (君君,臣臣,父父,子子). 34.77g, 51mm, Brass. Unlisted in Barker, 2004; mentioned in Lacroix, Numismatique annamite, 1900, p. 481.

Further reading: The Confucian Message on Vietnamese Coins by FRANÇOIS THIERRY, pp. 383-384 for specific description of 君君,臣臣,父父,子子 in English.

About Confucianism

See also: Zero.ru, Vietnam cash » The large cash coins

References:

Barker, Allan, 2004, The Historical cash coins of Viêt Nam, I-Official and semi-official coins, Singapore.

Lacroix, Désiré, 1900, Numismatique annamite, EFEO Saïgon.

Thierry, François, 2011, The Confucian Message on Vietnamese Coins: A closer look at the Nguyễn dynasty’s large coins with moral maxims. The Numismatic Chronicle 171, The Royal Numismatic Society, London.

2012年2月14日星期二

420) CHINA QING DYNASTY & REPUBLIC SILVER DOLLAR

The Hupeh (湖北) Mint in Wuchang (武昌) produced silver coins for general circulation in the 21th Year of Guang-xu/光緒 (1895 AD)(Lin & Ma, 2008, p.58, 61). This is the silver dollar with chop marks and it is fine ~ very fine condition. L&M# 182., N.D. (1895 AD).

This is the new Yunnan silver dollar without English legend, dated ca. 1911-1915 (during the Republic era). Yunnan silver 50 cents are quite common whereas dollar become scarcer today since the demand for Chinese silver dollar especially dragon coinages have dramatically increased. This is an extremely fine example. L&M# 421.

This Republic 22nd year (1933 AD) silver dollar (L&M 109) is scarcer than 23th year dollar (L&M 110). Uncirculated.


Reference:

Lin Gwo Ming & Ma Tak Wo, 2008, Illustrated Catalog of Chinese Gold & Silver Coins: Ching and Republican Issues, 6th ed. Ma Tak Wo Numismatic Co., Ltd.

2012年2月13日星期一

419) GREAT BRITAIN VICTORIA VEILED HEAD CROWN 1897 LXI BU


Queen Victoria, Crown of Great Britain. Older, or Veiled Head type. With "LXI" on edge. Cataloged as KM# 783, SPINK# 3937. Bright white example and fully brilliant mint state. Splendid example.

See also Crown, 1898 LXII
See also Proof Crown, 1893 LVI

2012年2月2日星期四

417) ALVARADO TOKEN ca. 1830 PLATE COIN OF LATIN AMERICAN TOKENS


(Source: Russell Rulau, 2000, Latin American Tokens, 2nd Edition, p. 72.
Publisher: Diane Pub Co. ISBN-10: 075678445X , ISBN-13: 9780756784454)


Mexico, Veracruz state, Alvarado, Rulau Ver# 4, N.D. (ca. 1830). ALVA/RADO, rev. Blank. 27mm, copper. This is the exact same coin pictured on page 72 in Latin American Tokens, 2nd Edition. Commonly called a "plate coin", this coin is permanently documented by that reference. The remnants of reverse details indicate that it was stuck over an 1829-37 Mexican Quarter Real.

2012年1月30日星期一

416) FRENCH INDO-CHINA PIASTRE 27.215 GR & 27 GR


8 x French Indo-China Piastre, KM# 5 1886, 1887 and 1895 (type I) are 27.215 grains (24.4935 grams pure silver, or .7875 oz. actual silver weight, coin weight: 27.215 grams with 90% silver), scarcer; other KM# 5a.1 are 27 grains (24.3 grams pure silver, or .7812 oz. actual silver weight, coin weight: 27 grams with 90% silver). Paris mint. Nicely toned, nice circulated examples.

2012年1月23日星期一

415) GREAT BRITAIN WARWICKSHIRE FARTHING TOKEN 1838


1838 Great Britain, Birmingham (Warwickshire) Farthing token, Obv. Head of Chinese Man Grocer (Qing dynasty pigtail and moustache to left), rev. Grocer & Tea Dealer, Dale End below. This piece served as an ad for a China tea importer. Flan flaw.

2012年1月12日星期四

414) PERU LIMA UNATTRIBUTED AR AND AE MEDALS


Both Peru medals are unattributed (any idea?)

The 1888 Copper medal is approximately 34mm diameter. Though lightly circulated, it carries a number of smallish rim ticks, thus nearly extremely fine or better.

The 1895 Silver medal is about 30mm. The rims are sharp, nearly uncirculated or better.

The marked envelopes in which they arrived here are shown in the last image (the Silver medal envelope is wrongly marked "1893").

2012年1月11日星期三

413) USA 2 OZ PURE SILVER NEBRASKA CENTENNIAL MEDAL 1967


USA .999 Silver 2 Ounce 1967 Nebraska Centennial Medal. Obv. a pioneer in front of his log cabin, planting a tree, rev. the state capitol in Lincoln, Nebraska.

2011年12月16日星期五

410) MING DYNASTY YONG LE TONG BAO LONG TAIL 'YONG', SUZHOU FAKES ALTERATION


Ming dynasty, Emperor Cheng Zu (1402 - 1424AD), Yong Le Tong Bao (永樂通寶), long tail 'Yong' (長尾永) [more discussion here]. 2.93g, 23.99mm, bronze. The discussion suggested that the 'Yong' was altered by Suzhou fake techniques.

See analysis by Mr. Graig Greenbraum
See example of other Suzhou fake techniques 1
See example of other Suzhou fake techniques 2

2011年12月13日星期二

409) 1892 BOLIVIA SILVER MEDAL (OVAL) FIRST RAILROAD IN BOLIVIA


Bolivia silver medal 1892, issued to commemorate 1st rail road in Bolivia. Obv. Arms, rev. National Honoring to Dr. Aniceto Arce. Approximately 43mm x 37mm. Plain edge. Weighs 24.8 grams.

2011年12月12日星期一

408) MEXICO TENANCINGO 5 CENTAVOS 1915

A nice uncirculated example with some mint red remaining. As is expected, the coin is very crude.

407) STRAITS SETTLEMENTS 20 CENTS 1903

A high grade circulated example Straits Settlements Edward VII 20 cents 1903 with plenty of mint luster. Virtually this example is better than US grading MS-60 to MS-62 and equal as MS-63 (uncirculated) except very little wear on top of some area of obverse. This is '3' closer with 'O' variety.

See also Straits Settlements Edward VII collection.

406) STRAITS SETTLEMENTS GEORGE V SMALL DENOMINATION


All are common but splendid examples. New members for this Straits Settlements George V collection.

2011年12月9日星期五

405) PERU SILVER MEDAL 42TH ANNIVERSARY OF INDEPENDENCE FROM SPAIN 1864/3


Peruvian silver medal in 1864/3 overdated, by R. Britten, on the 42th anniversary of independence from Spain. 6.25g, silver. Obv. radial sun with a human face, rev. seven lines of text, including date, to the sides palm and laurel branch. Coll Fonrobert# 9136. Rim bump, otherwise nearly extremely fine.

2011年12月7日星期三

404) CHINA IMPERIAL QING DYNASTY KIANGNAN (JIANGNAN) DOLLAR 1902 AD


China Kiangnan (Jiangnan/江南) Dragon Silver Dollar 1902 AD in original condition. Weak struck very fine. KM-Y# 145a.8. Quite easy to find compare to Old/earlier Kiangnan (老江南) silver coinages (different dragon design).

Now all Chinese dragons AR dollars are expensive compare to pre-2009, even fine to very fine grade, particularly not cleaned/dipped (original condition).

403) SIAM RAMA VII 1/4 AND 1/2 BAHT ELEPHANT SILVER COIN SET UNC

25 Satang / quarter baht

50 Satang/ Half baht

2 x set of BE 2472 (1929 AD) Rama VII (Prajadhipok) silver coin, each set with a pair of silver 25 & 50 Satang (1/4 and 1/2 baht), only coin set issued in Rama VII reign. Obv. Portrait of King Prapokklao Rama VII with Thai inscription "Prajadhipok" (H.M. title) and Siamindra, rev. Decorated White Elephant facing left, with thai inscription "Siam Rat" (Siam State) 2472 BE. Each 20 & 25 mm; 3.7 and 7.5 grams; .0784 oz & .1567 oz ASW. Y#48/49. All uncirculated.

402) MORGAN $ 1901-P

Morgan Dollar 1901 Philadelphia, choice almost uncirculated.

401) COLOMBIA 8 REALES (OCHO REALES) 1835

Colombia Ocho Reales / 8 Reales 1835 R.S. 27.02g, 0.8350 silver, .7253 oz. ASW. KM# 89. This is the second specimen in this collection. It's hard to find earlier 19th century South American Republic coinage that better than very fine condition. This specimen is good very fine / nearly extremely fine.

Another specimen (different variety) is extremely fine and worth a lot of premium, rare in this condition.

2011年12月6日星期二

400) FRANCE NAPOLEON I 5 FRANCS 1804, 1810

An outstanding early 5 Francs of France. Toulouse mint. Beautifully toned and essentially no wear. Portrait of Napoléon Bonaparte, who ruled as Emperor 1804-1814. Dated An 13 of the Revolution, or AD 1804. A coin with great eye appeal. Cataloged as KM 662.10.


A splendid example 5 Francs 1810, Paris mint. Good extremely fine or better with original mint luster. Cataloged as KM 694.1.

399) SIAM RAMA IV (MONGKUT) 1/2 BAHT


This Half Baht is right on the cusp of Uncirculated, and bordering on rare thus. Very few around in this state of preservation. Issued for king Rama IV, who ruled 1851-1868. Also known as 2 Salu'ng. An important coin for elephant collectors. Strong original luster. Cataloged as KM-Y10.1.

Other specimen:

Good extremely fine to almost uncirculated, rare.

398) ITALIAN STATES PAPAL STATES COPPER BAIOCCO & BAOICCHI


A set of uncirculated ~ brilliant uncirculated Italian Papal States Baiocco/Baiocchi coins. The 1851-R 5 Baoicchi is the raw uncirculated coin, other are certified. Splendid.