Watch List notes:

(t) CHINA. Fengtien. Brass 7 Mace 2 Candareens (Dollar) Pattern, ND (1897). Esslingen (Otto Beh) Mint. Kuang-hsu (Guangxu). PCGS SPECIMEN-61.
L&M-467A; K-Unlisted; KM-Unlisted; cf. WS-0579 (aluminum) and WS-0580 & 0582 (brass 50 Cents & 10 Cents); cf. Chang-54 (aluminum). A well engraved and well produced product of German origin, this brass pattern striking presents the province named interestingly spelled in English as "TENG-TIEN," rather than "FENG-TIEN." Undoubtedly EXTREMELY RARE and highly important, this represents just the third such trial piece in brass that we have offered, and just the fifth when accounting for those struck in aluminum. Vibrant tawny-yellow hues throughout, with captivating luster evident as well. A colossal opportunity for the advanced collector of issues from this popular province, or those who seek patterns and trials of the vintage Chinese series.

The recent discovery of production material has shone new light on the creation of this coinage. Such findings included patterns, dies, hubs and a series of punches from the archives of the Otto Beh company in Esslingen, Germany. Before this, the origin of the dies used to produce coinage for the provinces of Anhwei, Chekiang, Fengtien, Heilungkiang and Sungarei was only speculated upon. Otto Beh was a specialist in the production of seals and dies. From neighboring Goppingen, Louis Schuler received an order for coining presses in 1895 and commissioned Otto Beh to manufacture the dies. In 1897 and 1898, Beh supplied Schuler with over 200 dies for Chinese coins. At the time, this was the largest order that the company had ever received. Schuler, which started as a Locksmith's shop in 1839, had grown to become one of the world's leaders in metal forming and, in fact, supplied the aforementioned mints with coining presses. To view all items from the KL Collection, click here.

From the KL Collection.

Estimate: $50000 - $75000