1886年韩国锡制一圜样币。太极。韩国首个机制钱币序列的试样。大珍中的稀有品，克朗大小，双龙盘旋，韩国货币系统中的早期现代化试验。于其创立时，流通的货币主要是方孔铜钱或叶钱。虽对于当地交易而言，叶钱著实是完美的支付方式，但其却不被外商接受。作为现代化的一部分，当时的政府聘请了一位名叫Mollendorf的德国人担任典圜局政府造币厂的主要负责人，Mollendorf随后联络日本大坂造币厂的工程师协助铸币事宜，1886年样币系列则是此次初试的成果。此版样币起初生产及呈样的面值包括：20圜、10圜、5圜、2圜和1圜的金币，1圜、5两、2两、1两和1/2两的银币，以及20文、10文、5文、2文和1文的铜币。虽然每一面值的样币均有铸造，但最终获生产流通的仅有1圜、5文和10文。此枚面值为一圜，主要成分为锡（XRF光谱仪探测下其锡含量约为90%，亦见铜及其他金属元素）。于此发行而言保存状态超群，压铸无可挑剔，底板反光强烈，可见微乎其微的金属降解痕迹。PCGS冠军分，出自名家珍藏，让人留恋忘返、心之所向的大珍。虽某些钱币出售时通常带有谱系，以追溯到昔日的藏家，但鲜少附有与其相关的文件供后代查阅。该拍品正正包括如此的几份信件，
下文为其他韩国钱币珍品成交之后的交谈对话摘录：1964年4月29日Masato M. Sera先生909 W. Addison StreetChicago, Illinois 60613亲爱的Sera先生，收悉 阁下于4月6日关于韩国克朗的来信，阁下之大悦实乃本人的慰藉。该枚赏心悦目，实属珍品。本人愚见，阁下可书信予Hans Schulman先生，地址为Fifth Avenue, New York 17, New York，与其洽谈 阁下对1888年一圜之购买意欲。本人从Howard Gibbs先生处购得1886一圜时，幸知其亦藏有另两枚珍罕韩国克朗，当中一枚则为1888年，惜当时未知 阁下对该币之大好，时价甚合理也。本人相信这些钱币曾于1964年3月18日的Kriesberg Schulman拍卖会中露面，许是未获成交，亦有可能是Schulman先生投得。如 阁下获Schulman回信，亦烦请告知后续如何。此因Howard Gibbs先生现正环游世界，直至7月。到时本人即可询问其是否仍藏有1888年之一圜，若他们未在拍卖会中售出，Schulman应尚珍藏此珍品。此致R. J. Hudson, M.D.
KOREA. Tin Warn Pattern, Year 495 (1886). Kojong (as King). PCGS SPECIMEN-64.KM-Pn17; K&C-24.1 (for basic type); Bank of Korea-371; Jacobs/Vermeule-AA 101; Da Guang Se-13-6. Tai Guk Design, Test Coin for the first modern machine struck coinage series of Korea. A RARITY of tremendous magnitude, this crown-sized issue, with a focal design of dragons arranged in circular fashion, represents the earliest attempts at modernizing the Korean monetary system. At the time of its inception, predominantly square holed copper coins or yopchon were used in circulation. Although yopchon was a perfectly acceptable form of payment for local transactions, it was not widely accepted by foreigners. As part of their modernization attempt, the government contracted a German by the name of Mollendorf to act as superintendent of the Chonwankuk Government Mint. Mollendorf in turn contracted engineers from the Osaka Mint in Japan. The 1886 pattern series came as a result of this attempt. Patterns were originally produced and presented in the following denominations: Gold 20 Warn, 10 Warn, 5 Warn, 2 Warn and 1 Warn; Silver 1 Warn, 5 Niang, 2 Niang, 1 Niang and 1/2 Niang; Copper 20 Mun, 10 Mun, 5 Mun, 2 Mun and 1 Mun. Although patterns for every denomination were produced, only the 1 Warn, 5 Mun and 10 Mun were eventually struck for circulation. This pattern, produced of mostly tin (x-ray fluorescence spectroscopy tested this coin at around 90% tin with copper and other trace elements appearing) is denominated as 1 Warn. Preserved exceptionally well for the issue, it displays a perfect strike with strong reflective flash in the fields and minimal metal degradation. It is tied for the finest certified, and considering its glorious pedigree, it has claims to be the most desirable example available for private ownership. A truly landmark offering!<em>While coins are often sold with pedigrees tracing them back to collectors of yesteryear, seldom are articles of correspondence related to their placement saved for later generations to see. In this lot, you have exactly that.
While several letters are included, one typed transcription of communication made after the sale when other Korean rarities were being considered is transcribed below:</em><em></em>April 29, 1964Mr. Masato M. Sera909 W. Addison StreetChicago, Illinois 60613Dear Mr. Sera:I received your nice letter of April 6th relative to the Korean Crown and I am happy that you are pleased. It is a very attractive piece in my opinion and a rare item.I would recommend that you write to Mr. Hans Schulman, 545 Fifth Avenue, New York 17, New York, and place your request for the 1888 Warn with him. At the time that I purchased the 1886 piece from Mr. Howard Gibbs, he had two other rare Crowns of Korea, of which one was the 1888 and it is unfortunate that I did not know of your interest at that time because they could have been obtained at a very reasonable price. He placed these with Mr. Hans Schulman and I believe they were in the Kriesberg Schulman Auction of March 18, 1964. There is a slight possibility that they did not sell, or that Mr. Schulman has them. Let me hear from you as to what Mr. Schulman tells you. The reason I ask this is because Mr. Howard Gibbs is on a trip around the world at this time and will not return until July. At that time I can inquire of him whether he has either one of the 1888 Warn, however, if they did not sell at the sale, Mr. Schulman will have them at this time.Best Regards,R. J. Hudson, M.D.From the Mas Fera Collection.Ex: Robert J. Hudson Collection.Ex: H. D. Gibbs Collection.Ex: Colonel Green Collection.
