CHINA, Sycee. Sìchuān Province. Qīng dynasty, late 19th-early 20th centuries. AR 10 Tael Sycee (57x59x28mm, 352.4 g). Sichuan Piaoding (Sichuan province certified ingots) type. 永顺祥 (Yong Shun Xiang [Yong Shun bank]) in single stamp. BMC, Sycee type XL.F. Toned. a few light scratches. VF. A charming example with a raised central dimple reminiscent of a shucked oyster. From the Norman Frank Collection.
CHINA, Sycee. Hénán province. Qīng dynasty, early 19th century. AR 3 Tael Sycee (46x37x25mm, 121.5 g). 会镇 (Hui Zhen) and 永顺 (Yong Shun). BMC, Sycee –. Toned. In GBCA encapsulation 1610068444, graded AU 58. From the Norman Frank Collection.
CHINA, Sycee. Uncertain province. Qīng dynasty, late 19th-early 20th centuries. AR 10 Tael (49x48x22mm, 341.0 g). Fangcaoding (Square trough ingot) type. Upper stamp: 景东厅 (Jing Dong Ting [Jing Dong district]). Left and right stamps: 银匠何 安邦 (Yin Jiang He An Bang [He An Bang, silversmith]). Center stamp: 课银 (Ke Yin [Tax sycee]). Cf. BMC, Sycee type LVIII-LXII (for similar shape, but with various stamps). Toned. In GBCA encapsulation 1610068443, graded AU 53. From the Norman Frank Collection.
CHINA, Sycee. Yúnnán province. Qīng dynasty, late 19th-early 20th centuries. AR 5.5 Tael (60x36x14mm, 185.5 g). Yunnan sanchuo paifangding (Yunnan three-stamp tablet ingot) type. Three main stamps: 镕丰盛记 汇号纹银 (Rong Feng Sheng Ji Hui Hao Wen Yi [Rong Feng Sheng Bank, remittance bank fine silver]). Two bridge stamps: 公估童佘段看 (Gong Gu Tong She Duan Kan [Inspected by official public assayer Tong, She and Duan]). Fishtail pattern around. BMC, Sycee type LXIX. Toned, green deposits, collector's note on back. Good VF. From the Norman Frank Collection.
CHINA, Sycee. Russo-Chinese Bank. Qīng dynasty, early 20th century. AR 1 Tael Sycee (34x18x20mm, 37.43 g). Hua-E Yinhang Xiaobao (Russo-Chinese Bank small ingots) type. Three stamps: 十足色 (Shi Zu Se [Pure quality]), 库平一两 (Ku Ping Yi Liang [Treasury scale one tael]), and 华俄银行 (Hua E Yin Hang [Russo-Chinese Bank]). BMC, Sycee type LXXXI.F. Toned. In GBCA encapsulation 1610068445, graded AU 58. From the Norman Frank Collection.
CHINA, Sycee. Hong Kong. Xiangxin Gold Shop. Circa 1960s. AR 4 Tael – Ingot (22x81mm, 112.4 g). BMC, Sycee type XC.A, 1275. Toned, collector's sticker on reverse. VF. From the Norman Frank Collection.
CZECHOSLOVAKIA, Republic. 1918-1939. AV 2 Dukátů (34mm, 6.98 g, 12h). Kremnica mint. Dated 1933. Half-length armored bust of St. Wenceslaus, holding banner and resting hand on shield / Coat-of-arms. KM 9; Friedberg 1. In NGC encapsulation 6890896-003, graded MS 64. From the Alexander Christopher Collection.
CZECHOSLOVAKIA, Republic. 1918-1939. AV Medallic Dukát (20mm, 3.49 g, 12h). On the death of Prime Minister Antonín Švehla. Dated 1933. Bust of Antonín Švehla left / Male figure sowing right; coat-of-arms to lower left, cross between legs. KM (X) 16; Friedberg 12a. In NGC encapsulation 6890896-002, graded MS 63. Very rare. From the Alexander Christopher Collection.
DENMARK. Hardeknud (Knud III, the Hardy). 1035-1042. AR Penny (18mm, 1.09 g, 6h). Crux type. Lund mint; Aslac, moneyer. Struck circa 1040-1042. Draped bust left; trefoil-tipped scepter to left / + ΛSLΛC ON LVND :, voided short cross; C–R–V–X in quarters. Becker, Coinages, dies H1/52; Becker Collection 23 (same dies); Hauberg 7; Hede –. Light golden toning, small peck on reverse. Choice EF. A superb example with lustrous surfaces. The most elegant and refined dies for all of Harthacnut's Danish coinage. Very rare.
DENMARK. Hardeknud (Knud III, the Hardy). 1035-1042. AR Penny (18mm, 1.08 g, 3h). Long Cross type. East Danish standard. Lund mint; Toki, moneyer. Struck circa 1040-1042. Helmeted and armored bust left / + TΘ ΘCI : Θ N L VDI, voided long cross with triple-crescent ends and pellet at center; crescents in first and third quarters. Becker, Coinages dies H28/226; Becker Collection 36 (this coin); cf. Hauberg 28 (for type); SCBC 1170. Toned, slightly wavy flan, peck mark. VF. From the Causeway Collection. Ex C.J. Becker Collection (Høiland 3, 13 October 1998), lot 36.
FRANCE, Royal. Jean II le Bon (the Good). 1350-1364. AV Franc à cheval (28mm, 3.74 g, 12h). Authorized 5 December 1360. Jean, crowned and in full armor, left on caparisoned horse, holding sword / Cross tréflée and feuillue; at center, pellet within quadrilobe; all within quadrilobe, trefoil fleurée at end of each arc; trilobe in spandrels. Duplessy 294; Ciani 361; Friedberg 279. In NGC encapsulation 6865696-034, graded MS 62.
FRANCE, Royal. Charles V le Sage (the Wise). 1364-1380. AV Franc à pied (28mm, 3.78 g, 4h). Authorized 20 April 1365. King standing facing within Gothic arch; semé of seven lis to left and right, holding sword with quatrefoil pommel, and main de Justice / Cross tréflée; in center of cross, quatrefoil within angled quadrilobe; lis in first and fourth quarters, crown in second and third; all within angled quadrilobe; lis in spandrels. Duplessy 360A; cf. Ciani 458-60; Friedberg 284. In NGC encapsulation 6865696-011, graded MS 63.
FRANCE, Royal. Charles V le Sage (the Wise). 1364-1380. AV Franc à pied (28mm, 3.74 g, 10h). Authorized 20 April 1365. King standing facing within Gothic arch; semé of seven lis to left and right, holding sword with annulet pommel, and main de Justice / Cross tréflée; in center of cross, pellet within angled quadrilobe; lis in first and fourth quarters, crown in second and third; all within angled quadrilobe; lis in spandrels. Duplessy 360A; cf. Ciani 461-4; Friedberg 284. In NGC encapsulation 6865696-020, graded MS 64.
FRANCE, Royal. Charles V le Sage (the Wise). 1364-1380. AV Franc à pied (28mm, 3.74 g, 10h). Authorized 20 April 1365. King standing facing within Gothic arch; semé of seven lis to left and right, holding sword with annulet pommel, and main de Justice / Cross tréflée; in center of cross, pellet within angled quadrilobe; lis in first and fourth quarters, crown in second and third; all within angled quadrilobe; lis in spandrels. Duplessy 360A; cf. Ciani 461-4; Friedberg 284. In NGC encapsulation 6865696-021, graded MS 63.
FRANCE, Royal. Charles V le Sage (the Wise). 1364-1380. AV Franc à pied (27mm, 3.78 g, 10h). Uncertain provincial mint. Struck after 1368. King standing facing within Gothic arch; semé of seven lis to left and right, holding sword with annulet pommel, and main de Justice / Cross tréflée; in center of cross, pellet within angled quadrilobe; lis in first and fourth quarters, crown in second and third; all within angled quadrilobe; lis in spandrels. Duplessy 360A/360 (obv./rev.); Ciani –; Friedberg 284. In NGC encapsulation 6865696-006, graded MS 64.
FRANCE, Royal. Louis XIV le Roi Soleil (the Sun King). 1643–1715. AV Louis d'or aux quatre L (26mm, 5h). Paris mint; différent scallop. Dated 1697 A. Laureate head right / Crowned cruciform lis around central A in annulet; Ls in quarters. VG 252; Duplessy 1440A; KM 302.1; Friedberg 433. In NGC encapsulation 2790052-002, graded XF 45. Ex Heritage 3305 (9 September 2014), lot 33310.
FRANCE, Royal. Louis XVI. 1774–1793. AV Louis d'or à la tête nue (24mm, 7.66 g, 6h). Nantes mint; différents: seated greyhound/tree. Dated 1786 T. Head left / Two crowned coats-of-arms. VG 361; Duplessy 1707; KM 591.14; Friedberg 475. In NGC encapsulation 6887461-008, graded UNC Details, obv. cleaned. Highly lustrous nevertheless.
FRANCE, First Republic. National Convention. 1792-1795. AV 24 Livres (24mm, 7.63 g, 6h). Paris mint; différents: leopard and lyre. Dated 1793 A. Winged genius of France standing right, inscribing tablet set on column; to left, fasces surmounted by phrygian cap; to right, rooster standing left; c/m: swan over B in lozenge / Denomination within wreath. VG 62; KM 626.1; Friedberg 478. In NGC encapsulation 6890912-012, graded UNC Details, private countermark. From the Alexander Christopher Collection.The countermark on the obverse is most likely a private jeweler or goldsmith hallmark. The presence of a hallmark indicates that at least some merchants were distrustful of this type, which is not surprising, considering that this is the first gold coin of fully Republican types from France and lacks the usual portrait of a monarch on the obverse. For another example with a different hallmark, see Heritage 3019 (26 April 2012), lot 24287.
FRANCE, First Empire. Napoléon I. 1804-1814. AV 20 Francs (22mm, 6h). Paris mint; différents: signature/rooster. Dated 1808 A. Laureate head left / Denomination within wreath. VG 1025; KM 695.1; Friedberg 511. In NGC encapsulation 6887461-006, graded UNC Details, rev scratched.
FRANCE, First Empire. Napoléon I. 1804-1814. AV 20 Francs (22mm, 6h). Paris mint; différents: monogram/rooster. Dated 1812 A. Laureate head left / Denomination within wreath. VG 1025; KM 695.1; Friedberg 511. In NGC encapsulation 6846809-002, graded MS 63. From the James Fox Collection.
FRANCE, Royal (Restored). Louis XVIII. 1814-1824. AV 20 Francs (21mm, 6.42 g, 6h). First restoration. Paris mint; différents: signature/rooster. Dated 1814 A. Bust right / Crowned coat-of-arms within wreath. VG 1026; KM 706.1; Friedberg 525. In NGC encapsulation 6890883-010, graded MS 65. From the Alexander Christopher Collection.