From the Righetti Collection

CNG 97, Lot: 909. Estimate $1000. Sold for $9000. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

CHINA, Xīn dynasty. Wáng Măng. AD 9-23. Æ ‘Mother Mold’ (81 x 82mm wide, 13mm deep, 342.3 g). Square bronze ‘mother mold’ for mass-producing clay molds with designs for two Da Quan Wu Shi (Large Coin Fifty) issues, AD 7-14. Cf. BN Chinoises II 368-394 (for intended coin); cf. Hartill 9.2 (same); Shanghai VIII 142-74. As made, emerald green patina with earthen deposits.

From the J.P. Righetti Collection.