With the closing of our inaugural auction of 2018, the New York
International, we begin looking ahead to the exciting calendar of auctions
slated for this year. The next world coin auction is our Hong Kong Showcase
Auction to be held April 2-4. Our first preview features a vintage Chinese coin
that combines high desirability with a stellar grade.
This elegant coin
features a front-view portrait of Yuan Shih-kai in full military regalia. His
jacket proudly displays his medals and decorations for his years of service in
the military; a sash is visible running across his chest from his right
shoulder, and epaulets add prestige to his bust. Also notable is Yuan’s
high-feathered military hat, symbolizing his status at the pinnacle of the
Chinese Republican military and government. The reverse displays the necessary
coin information as the obverse features only the portrait. The upper
Chinese inscription states: “Republic of China. Coin Commemorative of the
Republic.” Two ornate rosettes separate the upper Chinese inscription from the
lower English: “One Dollar.” The central design features an open wreath around
two prominent Chinese characters meaning: “One Yuan.” Like most historical
figures, Yuan Shih-Kai’s legacy is complex and includes positive and negative aspects.
He was an important general and politician, best known for his military reforms
and his role in the transition from monarchy to a republic in China at the turn
of the century. Yuan’s greatest achievement turned out to be a double-edged
sword, as his military reforms fostered a loyalty that resulted in rival
warlords who competed with each other after his death. This fractioning of the
army, coupled with Yuan’s bid to restore the monarchy (with himself as emperor)
eroded the ideals of the Republican movement he had helped establish.
While we are no longer accepting consignments for our April Hong Kong
Showcase Auction, we are accepting consignments of Chinese and other Asian
coins and currency for our August 2018 Hong Kong Showcase Auction. In addition
to this, we are taking consignments of world and ancient coins and world paper
money for our May 2018 Collector’s Choice Online Auction and August 2018 ANA
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.
