As we get closer to the Stack’s Bowers and Ponterio August Hong Kong
Showcase Auction we continue our exciting previews every week. For this week we
feature a Chinese Provincial issue that is absolutely gorgeous — a Hunan
Provincial Constitution commemorative dollar. In
a time of presidents and warlords the people wanted to unite, but also maintain
autonomy in their own provinces. Zhao Hingis, the governor of Hunan wanted to
protect the province from civil war and worked diligently to establish the
Provincial Constitution. He was finally successful on January 1, 1922. The
constitution, which contains 141 articles grouped under 13 chapters, states the
difference between the central and local governments. Some of the weaker
warlords supported the constitution as it was used somewhat like a talisman in
that no other provinces’ armies could enter the province without permission.
Several southern provinces followed suit and successfully drafted and
instituted their own constitution.
The central obverse design of the coin consists of two crossed flags (the
Five-Colored Flag of the Republic of China and the Iron Blood Eighteen star
flag of the Wuchang Uprising). An eight-petaled flower is just above these
flags, and this central design is enclosed in a beaded border. The outer
inscription is in English: “THE REPUBLIC OF CHINA” across the top with “ONE
DOLLAR” below. The reverse central design contains three horizontal lines
enclosed in a half wreath, all enclosed by a beaded border. The outer Chinese
inscription is separated into three portions, with the upper inscription
stating: “Hunan Provincial Constitution Memorial Coin.” The symbols for “One
Yuan” (Dollar) appear at the right and left, with the lower inscription
stating: “Chinese Republic, 11th Year, 1st Month, 1st Day.” This example is
remarkably preserved, and is just a single grade point away from the finest
certified at NGC. This attractive coin hosts very light and even toning with
subtle glowing luster, and is free of major marks or abrasions. This type is
extremely elusive in this high level of preservation. This piece is sure to
enhance any collection it enters.
Though our Stack’s Bowers August Hong Kong Showcase Auction is no longer
open for consignments, we are now accepting consignments of world and ancient
coins for our January 2017 New York International Auction as well as Chinese
and other Asian coins and currency for our April 2017 Hong Kong Showcase
Auction. 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.
