China: Republic Yuan Shih-kai gold Pattern 10 Dollars Year 1 (1916) AU58 NGC,...

Description

Enigmatic L. Giorgi Signed 1916 Pattern 10 Dollars

Republic Yuan Shih-kai gold Pattern 10 Dollars Year 1 (1916) AU58 NGC, cf. KM-Y333 (without signature), cf. Kann-1515 (same), cf. L&M-1028 (L. GIORGI signed pattern in silver). A remarkable and highly elusive Chinese rarity from the fleeting 102-day reign of Yuan Shih-kai as Emperor of China. A brief glance at past sales confirms the exceedingly rare occasion at hand, as only two individual examples of the signed variety can be located from public auctions, with the previous occurrence in August 2014 when Heritage brought to auction an NGC MS63, which realized an impressive $282,000 all in. Engraved to needle-point precision, as one might expect from the renowned master, both of these known coins present a somewhat brushed appearance to the open expanses owing to the preparation of the dies-a distinct departure from the more polished finish of the standard type. Collectors are advised to pay attention, as the current selection will likely be tucked away into an elite-tier cabinet for many years to come.

Ex. Winter/Chin Family Collection (Stacks Bowers Auction 162, August 2011, Lot 70010)

Yuan Shih-kai, a former military general and statesman, proclaimed himself Emperor of China in December 1915, establishing the short-lived Empire of China (also known as Hongxian Monarchy). His attempt to reinstate the monarchy faced immediate and widespread opposition from republican revolutionaries, regional warlords, and foreign powers who favored a republic. Confronted with mounting resistance and internal dissent, Yuan was forced to abdicate in March 1916, ending his brief imperial reign and leading to the restoration of the Republic of China.

Eduard Kann, a foremost expert on modern Chinese coinage, noted that although two versions of the 1916 Yuan Shih-kai Ten Dollar gold coin were struck, the existence of the second type with the added L. Giorgi signature on reverse remained unconfirmed due to its extreme rarity. According to Kann, this specimen was produced in exceedingly limited quantities and presented only to a privileged few within Yuan Shih-kai's inner circle, with the dies purportedly destroyed afterward in Peking. Giorgi, an Italian engraver based in Tianjin, was renowned for creating the die for the famous "Fat Man" Dollar and left his signature on several exceptionally rare Chinese pattern coins.

Metal: Gold
Diameter: 22mm
Weight: 7.96g
AGW: 0.2559oz
Mintage: 100

NOTE: This lot was manufactured in China and was sourced from outside the United States for this auction after September 1, 2019. Under the new US tariffs on Chinese goods, collector's items from China will be subject to a 7.5% import tariff. Any clients who wish to take delivery of this item in the United States should be aware of this added charge, and consult their tax adviser with any questions. If you choose to take delivery in the United States and purchase both tariffed and non-tariffed lots from this auction, please note that the automatic invoice you receive after the auction will be incorrect; you will be emailed revised invoices shortly afterwards. The lots that fall under the tariff will be invoiced separately and will ship directly from our Hong Kong Office and carry a separate, additional shipping charge.

More information about Chinese Coins. See also: China.

極罕見「L. Giorgi簽字版」袁像飛龍拾圓金樣幣

1916年袁世凱像中華帝國洪憲紀元拾圓金樣幣「L. Giorgi簽字版」。AU58 NGC。
L. GIORGI簽字版樣幣。這枚無與倫比的稀世遺珍出自存世僅102天的洪憲帝國，吸引力非同凡響。是次入手機會實在千載難逢，皆因這款銀幣僅曾於公開拍賣中亮相兩次，當中較近的一次為2024年8月海瑞得拍賣，分數為NGC MS63，最終以令人側目的282,000元落鎚。此幣雕工精巧入微，足見大師之名並未過譽。由於模具準備的緣故，這批樣幣的開闊部分帶有類似刷痕的質感，恰好與帶有更多模具拋光痕跡的正式發行品形成對比。值得收藏家留意的是，這枚精品很可能會被置身於一個高階集藏中多年過後才重新出現於市場上，著實不容錯過。
出自：冬季 / 陳氏家族舊藏

袁世凱為中國軍事將領及政治人物。他在1915年12月稱洪憲皇帝，建立了短命的中華帝國（又稱洪憲帝國）。他復辟帝制的意圖馬上遭到來自支持共和的革命黨人、地方軍閥及外國列強的反對。在受到各界阻止及非議後，袁世凱於1916年3月被迫退位，短命帝制因而告終並恢復為中華民國。現代中國錢幣專家耿愛德指出，雖然鑄造了兩款1916年袁世凱像金幣，但於背面加上了L. Giorgi簽字的第二款實在極為稀罕少見，乃至有否存世都成了一大疑問。按耿愛德所言，此幣發行量極少，僅有袁世凱身邊的數位幸運兒才有幸獲得。而模具則隨後在北京被銷毀。長居天津的意大利雕刻師Giorgi向來以創作享負盛名的「袁大頭」銀幣模具而聲名遠播，並於為數不多的稀罕樣幣上留下了他的簽字。


Estimate: $100,000 - $200,000.

Note for clients in the European Union: This lot is considered by the European Union to be “investment gold”. We believe that it meets the criteria established in Article 344(1), point (2) of Council Directive 2006/112/EC and thus should be exempt from import VAT regardless of the selling price. Any questions or concerns about VAT should be addressed to your accountant or local tax authority.

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