Complete Set of Three Qing Dynasty Yunnan Provincial Kwang-hsu Yuanbao 7 Mace 2 Candareens Dragon Silver Dollars, Late 19th-Early 20th Century

拍品描述

Dimensions: Each silver coin is 3.9 cm (1.54 inches) in diameter; the set weighs a total of 81 grams. These are late 19th-early 20th century Chinese proof silver coins. Condition and Provenance: All three coins are in pristine condition, without cracks, repairs, or obvious dents. The edges are clear and intact, with only uniform natural wear from circulation. The obverse features clearly raised Chinese characters, stars, flowers, and the weight inscription. The reverse features distinct layers of dragon scales, claws, and cloud relief with clear details. The surface exhibits a natural, deep, and soft layer of ancient black lacquer, naturally penetrating the metal base without any artificial coating. No chemical peeling or modern coloring is observed, and the flat underside below the dragon design is well-preserved. This set of Yunnan dragon silver coins was passed down through generations of a senior collector in Southwest China. In 2024, the set was consigned to a Singaporean dealer specializing in proof silver coins, and in 2026, it was acquired by a private collection of Qing Dynasty dragon silver coins in New York State, USA. Singapore, New York, and Vancouver are major global trading centers for Qing Dynasty provincial dragon-patterned silver coins. Description: This set of three silver coins are official dragon-patterned silver dollars minted by the Yunnan Provincial Mint during the Guangxu reign of the Qing Dynasty. They are typical fine silver coins from the late imperial period in southwestern China, used for cross-border trade, and possess unique provincial mint characteristics, distinctly different from silver coins minted by the central government in Jiangnan, Beiyang, and other regions. The obverse of the coin features the inscription "Guangxu Yuanbao" vertically in the center, surrounded by the words "Made in Yunnan," with the inscription "Seven Mace and Two Candles" at the bottom, and small floral stars at the four corners. This formal calligraphic style showcases the highly recognizable aesthetics of a provincial mint. The reverse features the classic Qing Dynasty imperial dragon design, with a raised head, finely detailed scales, and continuous cloud patterns below. The outer rim is inscribed with the English inscriptions "Yunnan Province" and "7 Mace and 2 Candles," the fusion of Chinese and Western characters serving as physical evidence of the integration of Sino-foreign trade in the late Qing Dynasty. The three coins share identical molds, dragon engravings, and calligraphic layouts, making a complete, undivided set extremely rare among extant collections. The silver composition has undergone rigorous restoration to meet Qing Dynasty official purity standards, and the surface is covered with a natural black lacquer coating formed over a century of circulation, maintaining its original market condition untouched by modern processing or alteration. This complete set of Yunnan dragon-patterned silver coins provides comprehensive material evidence for the study of Yunnan's monetary policy, southwestern frontier industry, and cross-border trade in the late Qing Dynasty, possessing authoritative numismatic historical value and extremely high antique collectible value. Such an identical set of three Yunnan coins is extremely rare in the global coin market, highly sought after by collectors of Qing Dynasty provincial dragon-patterned coins, and is a rare treasure in regional silver coin collecting.

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