In preparation for the Stack’s Bowers
and Ponterio August Hong Kong auction, this week we offer a preview of a
limited mintage Chinese gold coin. This piece commemorates the birth of the
founder of modern Communist China, Mao Zedong. Mao’s path to the premiership of
the modern Chinese state was long and rocky. He is widely applauded for
dragging China from a feudal subjugated state and into a modern world power.
However, the cost in human lives to achieve this advancement severely tarnished
his memory in China and around the world. The Chinese government has released a
semi-official line referring to Mao’s troubled legacy saying that he was: “70%
right and 30% wrong.” Mao is still widely respected within mainland China, with
memorials erected, including statues, a mausoleum, and enormous portraits
throughout the country. China also commemorates this important life through
coins and medals. The year 1993 marked the 100th anniversary of Mao’s birth,
and the official mint in Shanghai released various designs to celebrate the
founder of their Communist state.
Numerous portraits and denominations
were used, with different mintages for each. The largest piece also correlates
with the lowest mintage, appropriate for its value. This piece is a five ounce
gold piece, with a denomination of 500 Yuan and a mintage of 100 pieces, which
greatly enhances its collectable nature. The portrait used for this large gold
coin features Mao wearing his iconic overcoat and his familiar hairstyle. The
Chinese legend on the upper portion of the piece reads: “Centenary of the Birth
of Mao Zedong 1893 – 1993.” The reverse is equally as impressive and features
the entrance to Zhongnanhai, the imperial garden located in central Beijing
next to the Forbidden City. The upper legend reads: “the People’s Republic of
China.” The offered coin is well minted with flashing mirrorlike fields and
frosty devices. It is a difficult coin to obtain, as it is seldom available.
This gorgeous coin is tied with three other examples as the finest graded by PCGS
or NGC at PCGS Proof-69 Deep Cameo.
We are now accepting consignments of world and ancient coins for our
August 2016 ANA Auction as well as Chinese and other Asian coins and currency
for our August 2016 Hong Kong Showcase Auction. Time is running short, so if
you are interested in consigning your coins and paper currency (whether a whole
collection or a single rarity) be sure to contact one of our consignment
directors.
