This week’s featured highlight from our Annual Summer Hong Kong auction held in conjunction with the 7th Hong Kong Coin Show in August is a large format gold coin issued to commemorate the 40th Anniversary of the founding of the Republic of China.
CHINA. 1500 Yuan, 1989. NGC PROOF-69 Ultra Cameo.
With a mintage of only 100 pieces and weighing an impressive 20 ounces, this coin was, at the time of striking, the largest modern gold or silver coin or medal that the China mint had ever struck. The obverse design is based on the modern masterpiece by celebrated painter Dong Xiwen which depicts the ceremony for the Inauguration of the People’s Republic of China. It features Mao Zedong addressing the people flanked by officials and giving his famous proclamation of the Central People’s Government of the People’s Republic of China. The denomination, weight and purity, flanked by a floral design, all appear in exergue. The reverse depicts a group of Chinese peoples of different nationalities singing and dancing under fireworks and the emblem of China, with a surrounding legend in Chinese characters that translates to: "The 40th Anniversary of the People’s Republic of China, 1949-1989." Each piece from the small production run bears a unique serial number on the edge at 12 o’clock, this one being "057".
This is truly a finely engraved and masterfully executed piece. It is rather fitting that it be offered in this year, 2019, which marks the 70th Anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China. Considering its theme, this rarity will undoubtedly be cherished by collectors who hold profound admiration for the country’s past and great hope for its prosperous future.
We are currently taking consignments of Chinese and other Asian coins and currency for our August 19-22, 2019, Hong Kong Showcase Auction. We are also accepting world and ancient coins for the August ANA World’s Fair of Money Auction in Rosemont, Illinois, a suburb of Chicago. If you are interested in consigning your coins and paper currency (whether a whole collection or a single rarity) contact one of our consignment directors.
