Stunning Heaton Mint Pattern

Triton XIV, Lot: 1263. Estimate $50000. Sold for $180000. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

CHINA, Provincial. Jiāngnán (Kiangnan). AR 3 Mace 6 Candareens – Half Dollar. Imperial Dragon type. Heaton mint. Undated issue, struck 1897. “zào shěng nán jiāng (rosette) kù píng sān qián liù fēn (rosette),” (Made in Jiāngnán province/Treasury scales equal to 3 qián and 6 fēn) in Hànzì, “bǎo yuán guāng xù,” (Valuable yuán of Guāngxù) in Hànzì around similar legend in Manchu script / KIANG NAN PROVINCE/(rosette) 7 MACE AND 2 CANDAREENS (rosette), flying imperial dragon facing, coiled leftward around fireball and surrounded by stylized clouds. L&M 211; cf. Kann 67 (business strike); KM (Yeoman) 144. In NGC slab graded PF 67, superb mirror surfaces with a hint of dark and golden hues. Very rare.

From the Patrick H.C. Tan Collection. Ex Champion Auction 6 (22 June 2008), lot 205.