China Hsüan-t'ung silver Specimen Pattern "Long-Whiskered Dragon"

China
Hsüan-t'ung silver Specimen Pattern "Long-Whiskered Dragon" Dollar Year 3 (1911) SP63 NGC, Tientsin mint, KM-Pn304, L&M-28, Kann-223, WS-0040, Wenchao-106 (rarity 3 stars). Rounded petals variety with raised veins in outer leaves. Rarely does a coin evince so much excitement from the greater collecting community as do the famed Pattern issues of Luigi Giorgi. These issues consistently rank as holy grails for most collectors of Chinese numismatics, but atop nearly all else are the instantly recognizable and venerated "Long-Whiskered Dragon" Dollars of 1911. Produced during the storied, final year of the Qing Dynasty, the specimen on offer combines a proposed reimagining of coin design and monetary policy into a unified national currency, all in response to disparate provincial standards and the prevalence of circulating foreign currency. Though the Dragon design observed here was ultimately destined to remain only a trial concept, it undoubtedly left its imprint on the imaginations of collectors of the Chinese series by and large.

This whimsical departure from previous motifs showcases a successful composition and highly detailed dragon rendered practically in motion, the piece at hand has long been considered among China's most beautiful and elusive emissions. Benefitting from its clearly advanced preservation, with each detail nearly medallic and rising in clear contrast against shimmering pools of argent brilliance beneath, all enlivened by an abundance of fine die polish and needle-sharp striking. Its surfaces endure completely untoned, allowing for a full appreciation of all engraved devices and the resulting near cameo-like appearance that wholly elevates the visual allure.

Luigi Giorgi's short-lived tenure at the Central Mint in Tientsin through the late Qing and early Republican eras resulted in the production of many of China's most iconic types that remain highly contested more than a century later. While most well-known for his portraiture of the Republic's first president, Yuan Shih-kai, immortalized on the 1914 issues utilizing the "Plumed Hat" and profile portraits, Giorgi's most desirable design, according to historic auction results, remains the Long-Whiskered Dragon Dollar. Although a handful of die varieties are know for the issue, this combination of petal and vein form is seemingly more difficult to locate, most of these pale in comparison to the rarity of the type as a whole. The importance and desirability of this offering cannot be understated, and coupled with its completely enchanting aesthetic character, will demand the attention of the most discerning collectors of Chinese Patterns.

https://coins.ha.com/itm/china/empire/china-hsuan-t-ung-silver-specimen-pattern-long-whiskered-dragon-dollar-year-3-1911-sp63-ngc-/a/3108-30031.s?type=DA-DMC-CoinArchives-WorldCoins-3108-06212023

HID02906262019

© 2023 Heritage Auctions | All Rights Reserved

Estimate: 600000-800000 USD