Our April 2025 Hong Kong auction will feature many numismatic treasures from the vintage and modern Chinese series during the highly anticipated Rarities Night session. One such intriguing example is lot 40085—a crossed flags warlord-era Silver Dollar Pattern from the Szechuan province. The plate coin in L&M, the standard reference for the Chinese series, this is an undisputed rarity that very well may be unique. As an undated issue and also lacking any mention of issuing authority, it remains unlisted from many of the other commonly-sourced references. Kann mentions that “…in about the years 1925/28 warlordism was flourishing in Szechuen, and independent coinage was rampaging. Inter alia a 10-cents piece then appeared in Szechuen, made of silver, or nickel, or cupro-nickel, or brass, or iron. None of these varieties were proofs or essay pieces, but all were forced into circulation. They display no place of origin, not the date of their creation; the coins are unmilled and of primitive workmanship.” Just like the present crown, these minors feature a similar overall design, namely the crossed Republican and Naval (Kuomintang) banners below a form of a rosette, and the denomination within a wreath. Though Kann makes no mention of any denominations other than the 10 Cents, the present specimen undoubtedly belongs with the issue. Interestingly, Kann also cites the 10 Cents denomination later, under entry 825, owing to the base metal nature of some of the strikings. Though indeed somewhat crude, this example features well preserved surfaces that offer hints of brilliance nearer the central portions along with some darker hues as one approaches the edges. Here is a tremendous opportunity for a type for which we have been unsuccessful in tracing another example. As such, it is a specimen of the highest importance for collectors of rarities among the provincial series, Republican issues, or world crowns more broadly.
To view our upcoming auction schedule and future offerings, please visit StacksBowers.com where you may register and participate in this and other forthcoming sales. We are always seeking coins, medals, and paper money for our future auctions, and are currently accepting consignments for our Summer Global Showcase and fall Hong Kong auctions. Additionally, we are accepting consignments for our Collectors Choice Online (CCO) auctions, the next of which will be in May. If you would like to learn more about consigning, whether a singular item or an entire collection, please contact one of our consignment directors today and we will assist you in achieving the best possible return on your material.
