CNG 96, Lot: 1073. Estimate $200. Sold for $2750. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

CHINA, Eastern Zhou dynasty. 7th-6th centuries BC. Æ Square Shoulder Spade (97x51mm, 33.49 g). Square shoulder spade with hollow handle; Yue (Moon) in early zhuànshū Hànzì (seal script) in right field. BN Chinoises I –; Yü-Ch'üan –; Shanghai I –; cf. Hartill 2.42 (direction of character); Ma Feihai 馬飛海 (ed.), Zhongguo lidai huobi daxi 中國曆代貨幣大系, vol. I, Wang Qingzheng 汪慶正 (ed.), Xian Qin huobi 先秦貨幣, Shanghaï 1988, no. 286. Good VF, green patina with a light dusting of brown earthen deposits.

From the J.P. Righetti Collection.