CHINA. Historical Documents. Letter and Receipts Pertaining To the Striking of Yuan Shih-kai as Hung Hsien Gold and Silver Medals/Dollars by the United States Mint at Philidelphia, 1921.Lot comprises of the following items: 1) A hand written letter from Mr. Henry Chapman (famous Philadelphia coin dealer) to George T. Morgan (Chief Engraver of the U.S. Mint and designer of the Morgan Dollar). The letter reads as follows: "United States Mint Philadelphia Mar 26. 1921. Mr. Henry Chapman to George T. Morgan. Engraving pair of dies for medal - 1 ½ inches diameter - Portrait of Chinese General - Reverse dragon with inscription - paid April $25 (deposit) - $100 received payment". 2) Receipt from the United States Mint at Philadelphia dated March 2, 1921 for the striking of three gold Chinese medals. There are two receipts attached together with a metal pin. The first is a hand type receipt containing the following information: "Three Chinese Gold Medals. Weight in coin gold 4.36 oz. (900 Fine) = 3.95 oz. Fine Gold (999 Fine). Fine Gold $20.67 per oz. Cost of gold $81.65, Labor $3.13, Overhead $0.52 Total $85.30". The second piece of paper is an official receipt from the Mint of the United States, U.S. Mint Service form no.146 made out to George T. Morgan for the striking of three Chinese gold medal with the amount from the previous receipt. The receipt is signed by Ada Williamson Medal Clerk. Some hand notations on the reverse in pencil. 3) Receipt from the United States mint at Philadelphia to Mr. Henry Chapman for the striking of twenty two gold medals from Chinese dies and fifty silver medals from Chinese dies, dated November 25, 1921. The receipt is hand typed on official printed U.S. mint service form 146. The receipt totals $678.96 with a cost for the (22) gold medals at $610.57 and $68.39 for the silver medals. <br><br>A very interesting group of historical documents that shed some new light to the historical background of the Yuan Shih-kai as Hung Hsien commemorative medals/dollars. It is interesting to note that the receipts for the striking of these are nine months apart. This most likely accounts for why there are different edge varieties on known genuine medals/coins of this type. Although Henry Chapman owned the dies for said issue, it is unlikely he owned the collars to produce the edges. In all likelihood the mint official responsible for striking these would select a collar of the appropriate size each time these were struck. This leaving numismatist today with minor variances in edge designs. <br><br><br><br>Historically very interesting and unquestionably UNIQUE. A wonderful group of documents that is of great interest for the researcher and are of museum quality and importance.<br><br><br><br>VERY FINE.Ex: Chapman Estate.Ex: Rice, acquired from Chapman Estate ca. 1950’s.Ex: Freddie Warner.Ex: George Kolbe.Ex: Ron Gillio.
