拍品描述： 上海县中外通宝一钱 NGC MS 64

CHINA. Kwan Ping Trade Coinage "Chinese-Foreign Circulating Coin". Pattern 1 Mace Struck in Silver, ND (ca. 1868). NGC MS-64.L&M-598; K-926ii; K&C-21.4; Money in the Bank(Cribb)-pg.36, figure-c. Kwan Ping Trade Coinage "Chinese-Foreign Circulating Coin", pattern in silver of un-adopted design. Patterns for this series were produced based on the Maritime Customs scale in the denominations of 1 Tael, 5 Mace, 2 Mace, 1 Mace and 5 Candareens.

This rare and interesting series has long been the topic of speculation by numismatic authors in regards to the mint responsible for its manufacture and intended purpose (see Kann Illustrated Catalog of Chinese Coins pg.324/5). Previously the Berlin Mint, The Royal Mint and the Osaka Mint had been suggested as possible places of manufacture. It is now certain the dies and patterns originated in England as described by Joe Cribb in his reference Money in the Bank. The original design was proposed by W.F. Wade, Chinese Secretary of the British Legation in Peking.

Wades propositions for this pattern series were relayed on October 19th 1867 via Captain Kinder to the Governor of Hong Kong. The dies for these patterns are housed in the Royal Mint where they were deposited in 1888 by Kinders heirs after his death. Original concept drawings of the proposed coinage design, as well as correspondences from Kinder also survive in London. The dies and patterns were produced in England, with the intention of the circulating coinage to be struck by the Hong Kong mint.

However the Hong Kong Mint soon after closed, ceasing operations in April of 1868. The minting machinery was then sold the Osaka Mint in Japan. It is interesting to note that some numismatists have speculated that this issue may have been intended for use as a trade coinage with Korea. In fact the Bank of Japan has an example of the 1 Mace in its collection list as Korea. The coins are also listed in The Catalog of Korean Coins and Bank Notes also lists this series pg.171#21.1/21.4. Although use as a Sino-Korean trade coin is plausible, no solid documentation in support of this is known. EXTREMELY RARE and very interesting.NGC MS-64.Ex: Superior Galleries June 3, 4, 1991 Auction Lot#1550 "THE IRVING GOODMAN COLLECTION of Chinese Coinage".