The Hong Kong Coin Auction No. 50 - Highlights Baldwin's are delighted to release highlights from what will be a spectacular 50th Hong Kong Coin Auction.
3/4-facing military bust, “L. GIORGI” above shoulder, Rev winged dragon, bust and calligraphy differ. Kann lists a similar gold coin with a different bust and calligraphy but without “L. GIORGI” as 1560b. However, the variety with “L. GIORGI” eluded even Kann (Kann 1560b for type; L&M 1115A). Uncirculated and extremely rare.
Estimate: US$80,000-100,000
China-Sycees: Republic 民國: Gold 10-Tael Bar, ND (C.1930s), stamped “台銀” (臺灣銀行 Bank of Taiwan), “成色991”, “驗”, “市両100000”, “瑞泰” twice, 313g, 15mm x 127mm x 7mm. Extremely fine and rare.
Estimate: US$22,000-27,000
This early Republican bar was probably part of the gold hoard the Nationalist Government acquired when the Chinese people were compelled to surrender their gold, silver and foreign currencies in exchange for the ChinYuan notes 金圓券 in 1948 and subsequently ended up in the vault of the Bank of Taiwan when the Nationalist Government moved to Taiwan in 1949.
China-Republic, General Issues: Bank of Communications: $1, 5 and 10, 1 July 1913, Tientsin, serial nos. 235547, 605229 and 112231 (P 110f, 111d, 112i). The $5 uncirculated, the $1 and 10 about uncirculated, all rare as issued notes. (3pcs)
Estimate: US$10,000-12,000
One of the most interesting lots to be included in the sale is a hand wrought jewellery ensemble designed by the 19th Century French goldsmith-jeweller dynasty, the family Froment-Meurice. The jewellery comprises 33 Roman and Ancient Greek coins mounted in the distinctive rococo style and is believed to be a highlight of the firm’s spectacular display at the 1900 World Fair Exposition in Paris. The jewellery is housed in an elongated octagonal case with brass hinges, maroon velvet exterior, velvet and satin lining and two hasps. The collection is housed over two levels in the presentation case; the larger pieces are displayed on top with the smaller pieces on a layer beneath. The lid of the case bears a blank embossed crown of a German Prince, possibly a Price of Prussia or another leading German state.
The set comprises, two all-gold necklaces (the larger of the two has a detachable pinback broach attached that can be worn separately), two sets of Roman gold coin earrings, a heavy-set slave bracelet and 2 hairpins (designed for the high-pile “Gibson-Girl” hairstyles of the time) and finally a single ornate gold juncture with jump ring, used to join detachable parts of the set. The combined weight of the pieces is 488.91 grams or 15.69 troy ounces.
This magnificent lot beautifully showcases the skills and achievement of the family Froment-Meurice and is of great historic significance.
The 11 coins that make up the gold necklace comprise:
• Alexander III, The Great (336-323 B.C.), AV Staters (3)
• Vespasian (A.D. 69-79), AV Aureus (1)
• Trajan (A.D. 98-117), AV Aurei (4)
• Hadrian (A.D. 117-138), AV Aureus (1)
• Antoninus Pius (A.D. 138-161), AV Aureus (1)
• Marcus Aurelius (A.D. 161-180), AV Aureus (1)
The 4 coins that make up the pinback brooch comprise:
• Faustina Jnr. (wife of Marcus Aurelius), AV Aureus (1)
• Lucilla (wife of Lucius Verus), AV Aurei
