Throughout the years Stack’s Bowers Galleries has offered many amazing numismatic treasures and our upcoming Hong Kong auction is no different. This week from our Rarities Night Session of the October Hong Kong sale we feature a Hebei (Hupeh) Silver 50 Tael Bank Ingot from the Lin District in the Shennongjia forest region. This massive ingot, weighing 1748 grams, is dated 28th year (1902) of Emperor Guangxu. Unfortunately, the name of the bank that manufactured this large format ingot was stamped over a natural void and is totally unreadable. Though many ingots have locations or bank names it is difficult to locate any significant information pertaining to the actual ingot, the manufacture or the area in which it was issued. What sets this piece apart, is that it was used in the Lin District which was considered primitive and inaccessible.
Throughout the centuries this area was used to stage Imperial troops as well as by rebels and anti-Qing movements. During the first civil war (1927-1949), the Communist Party set up several bases of operations and established the Soviet government of Honghua and Gushui districts as well as numerous townships. When the Japanese invaded, the locals built roads to transport supplies to allied forces. By February 1949 Shennongjia was totally under Communist control. This area is now the 50th world heritage site of the People’s Republic of China and the 4th of Hubei Province.
The entire Stack’s Bowers Galleries October 2023 Hong Kong auction will soon be available for viewing and bidding at StacksBowers.com. For more information about the sale or to register to bid email [email protected]. To consign to an upcoming auction call 800-458-4646 or email [email protected].
