China: Shanghai. Wang Yung Sheng Zuwen Yingbing ("Pure Silver Cake") of 1 Tael Year 6 (1856) AU55 NGC,...

Description

Tempting Tsaoping Tael by Wang Yung Sheng

Shanghai. Wang Yung Sheng Zuwen Yingbing ("Pure Silver Cake") of 1 Tael Year 6 (1856) AU55 NGC, L&M-589, Kann-900 (Type A), Chang-CH1 (Rare), Shanghai Museum-249, WS-1122, Wenchao-383 (rarity 2 stars), Chang Foundation-Unl. (cf. Chang Foundation-59), Cribb-LXXXIV.A.1155. Engraved by Wan Chaun. The obverse reads, in four columns from right to left: "Xian Feng Liu Nian" (Xian Feng Period 6th Year), "Shang Hai Xian Hao" (Shanghai County), "Shang Wang Yong Sheng" (Banker: Wang Yongsheng), "Zu Wen Yin Bing" (Pure Fine Silver Cake). The reverse, arranged similarly, reads: "Zhu Yuan Yu Jian" (Assayed by Zhu Yuanyu), "Qing Cao Ping Shi Zhong Yi Liang Yin" (Actual Weight 1 Ounce on the Shanghai Scale), "Jiang Wan Quan Zao" (Made by Silversmith Wan Quan). A broad and imposing piece that represents the forefather of milled silver Dollar issues in China. Fully struck with a hefty feel in hand, showcasing cautious underlying luminosity and fine dove gray toning throughout. Only infrequently available to marketplace in this pleasing state of preservation, and undoubtedly one that will engender keen bidding activity from connoisseurs of the Chinese Tael coinage.

Produced as direct consequence of the free, rampant circulation of foreign Crown-sized issues throughout the country, particularly in Shanghai. Following the hyperinflation precipitated by the Taiping Rebellion, in 1856 the Shanghai Tao authorized the silver firms Chin Cheng Chee, Wang Yung Sheng, and Yu Shen Sheng to produce silver cakes of a similar standard to the Spanish/Mexican 8 Reales to supplant those coins in circulation. With a monthly output of just 3,000 pieces, however, such emissions were doomed to fail, falling far short of local demand. Wenchao further frames the situation as a matter of lucrative exploitation by these firms, who sought to profit from the exchange of such Taels for the Mexican "Cap and Rays" 8 Reales.

Ex. Yuzu Collection

Metal: Silver
Diameter: 39mm

More information about Chinese Coins. See also: China World Coin Nationality.

迷人的上海王永盛足紋銀餅

咸豐六年（1856）上海縣號商王永盛足紋銀餅壹兩。AU55 NGC。
正面由左起垂直戳記「咸豐六年」「上海縣號」「商王永盛」「足紋銀餅」，註明年月地點，以及商號成色。背面設計相同，「朱原裕監」「傾曹平實」「重壹兩銀」「匠萬金造」四行，紀錄鑑定者及工匠姓名，以及重量。寬闊堂皇，氣勢不凡的一品，近代中國機制銀幣之濫觴。鑄工完整，重量厚實，銀光沈穩，通幣帶溫潤鴿灰色包漿。品相優良至此的例子市場罕見，鍾情中國銀餅的資深藏家定必已躍躍欲試。

根據歷史，當時商場上有各種外幣流通，上海尤其紛紜雜沓，此款銀餅應運而生。及後，太平天國造成惡性通脹，上海道遂於1856年授權經正記、王永盛及郁森盛三所銀號自鑄銀餅，成色近於墨西哥鷹洋8雷亞爾銀幣，以此取代市面上流通外幣。然而，每月發行僅僅三千枚銀餅遠遠不足以應付商場需求，這批銀餅作為貨幣注定失敗。董文超在著作中亦歸咎商號貪得無厭，用銀餅兌換墨西哥鷹洋牟利，導致貨幣改革失敗。
出自：Yuzu舊藏

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