拍品描述： 光绪三十年湖北省造大清银币库平双龙壹两银币。武昌铸币厂。(t) CHINA. Hupeh. Tael, Year 30 (1904). Wuchang Mint. Kuang-hsu (Guangxu). PCGS Genuine--Cleaned, AU Details.小字版。罕见版别，重量较同时期银洋重。币面全银灰，丝毫不见包浆，高处磨损亦非常轻微。可见清洗留下的零散丝痕，魅惑依然。湖北双龙壹两共制有648,000枚，包括大字版和小字版，每一版具体制作量不详。当时的币制改革拟弃用圆为单位，改用中国传统重量单位制钱，湖北壹两便应运而生。原本在制造双龙壹两的同时，铸币局还要铸伍钱、贰钱、壹钱等辅币，但均未有流通币流传于世，甚至连样币都不曾得见，因此很有可能从未铸出。当时的百姓普遍认为两种币制在转换时会引起困扰，在找钱时尤其如此。(t)This lot was manufactured in China (including Hong Kong), Russia or Republic of Belarus and was sourced from outside the United States for this auction after tariffs were enacted by the United States. Accordingly, any client who wishes to take delivery of this item within the United States will be subject to a 27.5% import tariff for China manufactured items, and a 35% import tariff for Russia or Belarus manufactured items. In addition a processing fee of 0.3464% (minimum $31.67 / maximum $634.62) will apply. Please note, this is not, and is not intended to be, a complete description of the applicable import tariffs and buyer remains fully liable for and agrees to promptly pay all tariffs and fees relating to the import of these items into the United States and neither the auctioneer nor any consignor will have any responsibility to pay any applicable tariffs or fees. Please consult your tax adviser with any questions. </em>Furthermore, any lots subject to an import tariff will be shipped directly from our Hong Kong offices and shipments to the United States will be subject to our international shipping chart. </em>L&M-180; K-933; KM-Y-128.2; WS-0878. Small characters variety. A charming <strong>RARITY</strong> struck to a heavier weight standard than that which is more commonly encountered with Chinese crowns of the period, this commendable example provides an argent and steely gray hue throughout, with essentially no evidence of toning and very little wear across the high points. Some lightly scattered hairlines from the noted cleaning are observed, but the piece still stands as rather enchanting and alluring nonetheless.<p><p><em>648,000 Hupeh Taels were originally minted, inclusive of both large and small characters types; however, it is unknown exactly how many of each were struck. This Tael was introduced as part of a projected coinage reform based upon the traditional Chinese weight standard, rather than the Dollar system. In the initial proposal to produce these coins, it was also suggested to produce smaller denominations in the values of 1, 2, and 5 Mace. However, no such pieces have surfaced (even in pattern form), and it is unlikely that they were ever produced. The general populace found it complicated to convert two distinctly different coinage systems, especially when making change.</em>