拍品描述： CHINA (PEOPLE S REPUBLIC): AR 5 yuan, 1986, KM-152, Great Wall and Sailing Ship Empress of China , NGC graded MS70. The Empress of China was the first American ship to make a trade voyage to China. The first American merchant vessel to enter Chinese waters left New York harbor on Washington s birthday, February 22, 1784. The Empress returned to New York on May 11, 1785 after a round trip voyage of 14 months and 24 days. The success of the voyage encouraged others to invest in further trading with China. President Washington bought a set of Chinese porcelain tableware from the ship.