Extremely Rare Chinese Pattern Coin Certified by NGC Offered in Stack's Bowers Sale

An extremely rare Chinese pattern certified by Numismatic Guaranty Company™ (NGC®) is among the highlights of an upcoming Stack's Bowers auction. Bidding is already underway for the December 2021 Hong Kong Collectors Choice Online Auction - Vintage and Modern Chinese Coins, which concludes on December 2, 2021.

The coin, a China 1912 Silver Founding of the Republic Pattern graded NGC AU 55, is the only known example certified by a major grading service. More than two weeks before the auction, bidding had already exceeded the pre-auction estimate of $75,000 to $125,000.

China 1912 Silver Founding of the Republic Pattern graded NGC AU 55 and pedigreed to A.M. Tracey Woodward. Click images to enlarge.

The coin was struck to commemorate the founding of the Republic, which swept aside centuries of imperial rule in 1912. It shows a bearded Yuan Shih-kai, who led the Republic from shortly after its founding until his death in 1916. Other coins of the era show Yuan Shih-kai with facial hair, but not to the extent on this example, giving rise to its "Big Beard" nickname.

Very few examples are known and opportunities to acquire one have been scarce. This example is pedigreed to Tracey Woodward, a famous collector who traveled to China in the early 20th century.

Other NGC-certified highlights in the sale include:

• a China Copper 1914 Dollar graded NGC MS 62 BN (lot 42131) with an estimate of $60,000 to $80,000
• a China 1914 Silver Dollar graded NGC MS 66 (lot 42205) with an estimate of $40,000 to $60,000
• a China 1912 Silver Dollar graded NGC MS 65 (lot 42098) with an estimate of $25,000 to $50,000
• a China 1921 Silver Dollar graded NGC MS 65 (lot 42261) with an estimate of $30,000 to $40,000
• a China 1986 12-ounce Gold 1,000 Yuan Panda graded NGC PF 69 Ultra Cameo (lot 42354) with an estimate of $23,000 to $26,000
• a China 1932 Silver Dollar graded NGC MS 64 (lot 42266) with an estimate of $15,000 to $25,000
• a China 1903 5 Fen graded NGC SP 66 (lot 42042) with an estimate of $10,000 to $20,000
• a China 1914 Silver Dollar graded NGC MS 62 (lot 42206) with an estimate of $10,000 to $20,000
• a China YR3(1911) Silver Dollar graded NGC (lot 42057) with an estimate of $10,000 to $15,000

Estimates are provided by the auction house. All dollar amounts are US Dollars.