World Silver & Bronze Coins - China

Lot 4458    SESSION 17 (11.30AM FRIDAY 31ST MARCH)    World Silver & Bronze Coins - China

Estimate $200
Bid at live.noble.com.au
SOLD $200

CHINA, (Western [Hsi]) Han Dynasty, issue of the 1st century B.C. - 1st century A.D., round convex lead ingot with a concave reverse containing a barbarous Greek inscription, 53mms, (125.56 g), obv. crude coiling dragon, rev. circular inscription with barbarous Greek letters and small rectangular punches with Chinese characters, (Cribb, Coin Hoards IV, pps 76-78, Asia Society 2001, Monks & Merchants, 'Silk Road in Gansu and Ningxia' p.37. Worn, nearly fine and very rare.

Ex Patrick J. O'Rourke Collection.

This extraordinary piece was part of a hoard found in 1972 found in Shensi Province China coming from the period of the Han Dynasty. In this hoard were found two lead ingots which are saucer shaped and on the concave side a circular inscription in barbarous Greek letters. This side also had stamped twice a punch containing Chinese letters. Others had also been found in several finds elsewhere in China including a find of thirteen ingots of similar weight to the above example. Another hoard was found in 1976 during building work at Lingtai county in Kansu province. Some 274 ingots were found including the above example. The idea of Greek inscriptions on coins suggest a source from North West India and Bactria. The abundance of examples found suggests a widely recognised object at that time.