Zhou Xicheng was the provincial warlord governor of Kweichow, ruling from July 1927 until April 1929. Although his rule was short, Xicheng focused heavily on education and modernizing the province through public works. The car featured is said to have been the personal automobile of Zhou Xichang which makes sense as his would likely be the nicest and most modern vehicle, which made a visual statement about his aims at modernization. Ironically this rapidly modernizing area had no mint of its own until 1939 and these pieces were almost certainly struck at the Chengtu Mint in neighboring Szechuan province. This theory is supported by the use of the same central floral crest found on most Republican coinage from Szechuan. Directly below the automobile, found in a hidden arrangement of blades of grass is the secret mark of "Xicheng". Some accounts state that Zhou Xicheng died on this very road. As the story goes, while driving down the road with advancing troops a skirmish erupted and as Zhou Xicheng fled from his automobile, he was shot dead on the grass beside the road.
The piece we will be offering in our August sale is remarkably well struck with full lines visible in the car doors and is very original and untouched. In terms of overall appearance, this ranks as one of the nicer Auto Dollars we have seen. Conservatively graded PCGS AU-55 this piece is an eye pleaser for the type and definitely asserts itself as a cut above most Auto Dollars. Collectors hoping to fill this tough gap in their collections will also be pleased to know that aside from this remarkable piece, this sale has a strong selection of Auto Dollars in more commonly seen grades. Catalogs for this sale will be mailed out shortly so be sure to look for this and other thrilling rarities when Stack’s Bowers & Ponterio returns to Hong Kong this August.
