World Silver & Bronze Coins - China
Lot 4459 SESSION 17 (11.30AM FRIDAY 31ST MARCH) World Silver & Bronze Coins - China
Estimate $3,000
Bid at live.noble.com.au
SOLD $3,500
CHINA, Hsin Dynasty, Wang Mang rebel, (A.D. 7-22), gold inlayed key money of value 5000, (27.32 g), obv. Yih-tao (in gold) p'ing wu-chien, "one knife : value five thousand", (Hartill 9.12, Sch.119, cf.TFP 456 & 458). Extremely fine, a very nice example with very clear characters and minimal encrustation, very rare in this condition.
Ex Patrick J. O'Rourke Collection and from the Hong Kong Coin Convention August 1996.
Stephen Album, USA notes the following interesting comment about this type coin. At that time 5000 Wu Shu was equal to 1/2 cattie of gold. A cattie weighed about 120 grams, so these knives were valued at about 60 grams (2 ounces) of pure gold. We have not been able to find a relative value for gold in ancient China, but in the same time frame in the Roman Empire, two ounces of gold would have been at least a year's wages to an average citizen, thus the problem with this issue. It was fiat currency with a named value very high, but with little intrinsic value.
Estimate / sale price does not include buyer's premium (currently 22% including GST) which is added to hammer price. All bids are executed on the understanding that the Terms & Conditions of sale have been read and accepted. For information on grading and estimates please refer to the Buying at Auction advice.
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Lot 4458
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Lot 4459 This lot
CHINA, Hsin Dynasty, Wang Mang rebel, (A.D. 7-22), gold inlayed key money of value 5000, ...
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Lot 4460
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Lot 4461
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