Numerous Pattern Dollars from one of the world’s premier numismatic collections are expected to claim many of the top results in Heritage’s HKINF World & Ancient Coins Platinum Session® and Signature®Auction Dec. 6-9.
A Republic Chang Tso-lin silver Specimen Pattern Dollar Year 16 (1927) SP63 PCGS, from the Peh Family Collection, Part III, is a spectacular example of a coin that has become among the most sought-after and record-breaking items in all of Chinese numismatics. Only four official dollar designs were minted across the Mukden Tiger’s brief hold over Tientsin and Beijing from 1926-28. Still, they were not released into circulation and are currently available to collectors only in Pattern format.
“This is a spectacular coin — one of only two known across PCGS and NGC — from one of the most important private collections in Chinese numismatics,” says Kyle Johnson, Heritage’s Managing Director of World & Ancient Coins. “It is a true trophy piece that epitomizes the world-class caliber of the Peh Family Collection — more of which will be offered in future auctions at Heritage.”
Also from the Peh Family Collection comes a Hsüan-t’ung Specimen Pattern “Large-Tailed Dragon” Dollar Year 3 (1911) SP64 PCGS, an elusive Pattern that earned the “Large-Tailed Dragon” moniker due to the spread nature of the expanded tail when compared to the production issue. Pattern Dollars from this era are highly sought-after, struck in the final years of the Qing dynasty and usually featuring an emblematic, stoic dragon.
Heritage Auctions has handled rarities throughout Hsüan-t’ung’s short reign, but examples of this particular type are virtually never seen, coming to market once every decade or two. Of the six certified by PCGS, this specimen ranks as the second-finest and just a single point from the peak.
The finest example of a Kuang-hsü gold Specimen Pattern Kuping Tael (Liang) CD 1906 SP64+ PCGS is a magnificent offering from the Peh Family Collection that is virtually without equal, propelled by its rarity and level of preservation into an elite tier within the greater Chinese series, and was struck toward the tail end of Kuang-hsü’s prolific reign by the Ministry of Revenue as one of a handful of attempts at monetary reform.
Other top offerings from the Peh Family Collection include:
- Kiangnan. Kuang-hsü Specimen Pattern Dollar ND (1897) SP66 PCGS that is tied for the top PCGS grade
- Kwangtung. Kuang-hsü Specimen “Seven Three Reversed Pattern” Dollar ND (1889) SP67 PCGS
- Republic Yuan Shih-kai silver Specimen Pattern Dollar Year 3 (1914) SP64 PCGS
- Kweichow. Kuang-hsü Dollar (Silver Cake) Year 16 (1890) MS61 PCGS
- Near-Gem Republic Tuan Chi-jui gold Specimen Pattern Dollar ND (1924) SP64 PCGS
Geneva Collection of Russian coins and
The Mahal Collection of Spanish ans US Philippines coins
also featured in Dec. 6-9 event
Geneva Collection of Russian Coins
Collectors of Russian coins will be drawn to this 105-lot collection, a landmark cabinet that represents the most distinguished of Russian numismatic material to reach the collecting market in years. The range of items in the collection is vast, from the most iconic issues of the Russian Empire through plate coins, elusive patterns and conditional rarities that rarely change hands.
Among the top offerings from the collection is the finest Nicholas II gold 37 Roubles 50 Kopecks 1902 MS64 NGC. From an original mintage of just 235, it is among the most instantly recognizable types in all of Russian numismatics. The nation’s largest gold coin at the time it was issued remains a giant, both in notoriety and size.
Also from the Geneva Collection comes an Elizabeth gold Pattern 2 Ducats 1755 MS62 NGC. Friedberg lists the 1755 date in its reference for Catherine’s 2 Ducat (with reverse eagle) but also states, in the margin prior to the reference, that the same 1755 2 Ducat is actually a pattern and is unique — a major declaration that would place this specimen among the most desirable trophies of Russia’s most esteemed numismatic rarities. If the current NGC census information for this issue is completely accurate, this is not a unique type, as currently two MS62s appear in the population report. But it is beyond dispute that this 1755 2 Ducat is a spectacularly rare issue, of extreme importance to Russia’s passionate collector base, as research has uncovered no previous auction records.
The only certified example of an Alexander II gold “Emancipation of Serfs” Medal 1861-Dated MS60 Prooflike NGC from the Geneva Collection is a historically significant prize that only has been seen before at Heritage in silver. It was struck to a substantial weight of 51 grams in commemoration of the emancipation of the serfs in 1861.
Mahal Collection of Spanish and U.S. Philippines Coins
This landmark, 70-lot collection was assembled by a collector who was dedicated to both historical depth and visual beauty, spanning the arc of Philippine coinage from the Spanish colonial era through the U.S. Administration period. This magnificent collection features a wide range of treasures for collectors of all kinds, from early issues from Ferdinand VII through Alfonso XIII to U.S.-Philippine pieces struck at the mints in San Francisco and Philadelphia.
Among the top offerings in the Mahal Collection is a Spanish Colony. Alfonso XIII Peso 1897 SG-V MS65 PCGS, which is one of just three to attain comparable “Top Pop” status, the same designation awarded to the Cape Coral example that Heritage Auctions handled in 2021.
From the same collection comes a USA Administration Peso 1911-S MS67 PCGS from the San Francisco Mint, an exceptional example of a magnificent coin that is among the most challenging issues across the entire Philippines series to acquire in high grades, a fact confirmed by the paucity of auction records past a Gem assignment. It is one of the finest — if not the finest — known examples, topping the three previous Mahal examples, and with only one ranking just a half-point finer, making this one conceivably the finest that will be seen on the market for years.
Collectors of Spanish Philippines coins will want to keep an eye on a Spanish Colony. Alfonso XII 20 Centavos 1880 MS65 PCGS that is a highly respectable representation of this popular and often celebrated type, examples of which have generated substantial interest in Mint State preservations. Only one other example ranks as highly as the one offered in this auction.
The named collections include many of the top lots in the auction … but definitely not all.
Commissioned by governor Chow Hsi-chen to commemorate the completion of the first provincial highway in Kweichow, the Republic “Auto” Dollar Year 17 (1928) MS62 NGC departed from tradition by featuring his car as the centerpiece of the design, a declaration of the importance of Chinese modernization efforts and their successful execution. A marvelous example of the “three blades of grass variety,” it offers the “triple threat” within numismatics: the type rarity and variety scarceness, advanced visual quality and superior level of preservation. Heritage recently has handled examples in comparable Mint State quality, but those have been of the more common “two blades of grass” variety, making this offering all the more pivotal to the provincial specialist. Only one example across all types of the famed Kweichow “Auto” Dollar that have received a straight-grade certification, numbering at more than 450 examples, has received a higher grade.
A Republic Yuan Shih-kai gold Pattern “Plumed Hat” Dollar ND (1916) MS63 NGC is among the top choices of the Yuan Shih-kai series, with few varieties or types in silver or gold ever achieving as much prestige as the example offered in this auction. This coveted commemorative was struck to memorialize Yuan Shih-kai’s ill-fated dynastic campaign and his adoption of the title Emperor Hung-hsien. This coin clearly was recognized for its importance and likely tucked away soon after its production to account for its covetable Choice preservation and full brilliant appearances.
A Fengtien. Kuang-hsü Dollar Year 25 (1899) MS63+ PCGS is among the rarer provincial dragon Dollars, with unique appearances that render it instantly recognizable as a product of the Fengtien Arsenal mint. Largely eluding even seasoned collectors in anything comparable, examples typically are found with lower grades, with specimens witnessing even AU grades only once every few years, and those attaining a Mint State assignment last witnessed in 2015.
Information about all lots in the auction can be found at HA.com/3127.
The post Peh Family Collection Pattern Dollars Take Center Stage at Dec. 6-9 Heritage Auction appeared first on CoinWeek: Rare Coin, Currency, and Bullion News for Collectors.
