拍品描述： 丁未光绪年造大清金币库平一两金样币。天津造币厂制。珍罕度：★★★★。迷人且极尽稀罕的样币，重要性无以言表。图文霜化，底板镜光四射。此发行是中国现代首批以黄金铸制，可说是清朝钱币的顶峰。存世两款版别，分别为1906年和1907年。儘管两者的产量均极少，但1907年的发行明显更稀缺。事实证明，自2011年以来，我们仅呈献过六枚，<em>此为其一</em>。铸压力度十足，币缘锐利，设计细节纤毫毕现。保存良好，几乎无任何接触痕迹。币面优美动人，温润蜜糖色覆盖，间有些许铜色包浆，点缀字面。毫无疑问，任何决心拥有中国最珍贵藏品之一的收藏家不容错过的入手良机。

没有发行的试造样币。清政府计画推行一两为单位的金本位制币，不幸未能实现。主要是中国当时缺乏黄金储备，且使用的通货是以银为本位。仅试制极少数量的金质样币。

(t) CHINA. Gold Kuping Tael Pattern, CD (1907). Tientsin Mint. Kuang-hsu (Guangxu). PCGS SPECIMEN-61.L&M-1024; Fr-2; K-1541; KM-Pn302; WS-0009; Wenchao-11 (rarity: ★★★★). An enthralling, <strong>PHENOMENALLY RARE</strong> specimen with dazzling frosty devices exalted by brilliant fields. One cannot overstate the significance of Kuping Taels--<em>arguably the pinnacle of Ching Dynasty numismatics</em>--due to their status as the first modern Chinese coins ever struck in gold. Two variations exist, dated 1906 and 1907. Both were produced in extremely limited quantities, though 1907 pieces are definitively <strong>SCARCER</strong>. Attesting to this fact, we have offered just six since 2011, <em>with one of the six being this very example</em>.

Powerfully struck with a sharp wire rim, the present specimen brazenly displays every minute detail of its design. Attractively preserved, there is a distinct lack of contact marks of any kind. Its inviting surfaces are a consistent, warm honey color with hints of localized copper toning, mostly on the characters side. Undoubtedly, the present specimen offers a historic opportunity for any collector determined to possess one of the greatest of Chinese rarities.

These very rare offerings were struck on an experimental basis as patterns only, and were never released into circulation. The plans to issue gold coinage in units of one Tael for circulation, unfortunately, never materialized. This was largely due to Chinas lack of gold reserves combined with the current currency being based on the silver standard. Hence, a limited number of pattern Taels were struck in 98% pure gold as patterns for the Ministry of Revenue.

Ex: Patrick H. C. Tan Collection (Triton XIV - 1/2011) Lot # 1235.