The unique 1903 Fengtien Province Tael, one of the most important silver coins in Chinese numismatic history, was certified by Professional Coin Grading Service during the recent April 2012 Hong Kong International Coin Convention & Antique Watch Fair.
The 1903 "dragon dollar," graded PCGS Secure Plus™ AU55, was submitted by PCGS Authorized Dealer Chun-Yo-(Stanley) Chou of Fuchin coin company of Taiwan on behalf of an anonymous collector. It is insured for $5 million.
"We were very pleased to grade the 1903 Fengtien Tael as well as several other important coins during this inaugural event. We thank the owner of the Tael and Mr. Chou, and look forward to working with collectors and dealers throughout Asia," said PCGS President Don Willis.
The silver 1903 Tengtien Province Tael is listed as unique in the authoritative reference book, Illustrated Catalog of Chinese Gold & Silver, by Lin Gwo Ming and Ma Tak Wo.
Previous owners of that historic coin include 19th and early 20th century Chinese bank note researcher and author Eduard Kann, collector Irving Goodman and Chou Chien-Fu, a former President of the Taipei Numismatic Society.
The on-site certification services in Hong Kong were PCGS’ first in Asia as part of its expanded international services and activities. Coins are now being accepted by PCGS on an ongoing basis in Asia.
To submit coins to PCGS in Hong Kong, send them by mail or deliver them in person to PCGS Submission Center, c/o Malca Amit Far East Ltd., Tsim Sha Tsui Office, 11/Floor, Room 1101-08, Tower 3, China, Hong Kong City, 33 Canton Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon, HK.
Coin submission forms, instructions and additional information, including grading fees, are available online in English at www.pcgs.com/HongKong and in Chinese at www.pcgsglobal.com/HongKong.
At the Hong Kong show, Willis and Muriel Eymery, Vice President of International Business Development for PCGS, spoke to many collectors and dealers about the new PCGS Chinese Coins Price Guide.
"The Asian market is picking up again, and prices are going up again. People very excited about our new price guide. The Hong Kong show was a great success for PCGS, and for Asian collectors and dealers," Eymery stated.
Professional Coin Grading Service is a division of Collectors Universe, Inc. (NASDAQ: CLCT).
If PCGS is grading for the Chinese market, why aren’t any of the slab labels in Chinese or bilingual text? This seems like a pretty obvious oversight.
This is an awesome coin. i wonder how much it will hit if it appears in an auction? it broke the auction record 20 years ago. 3-5 times the price of the 2nd most expensive coin. Cant WAIT!
This is a beautiful coin. The dimensions and weight are not provided. I understand that Taels before the 1930 monetary reform were of different weights ranging from 25.8 to 51.2 and Shanghai Tael was 37.7 grams. The Taels are of 38.5 to about 44mm, in general. Perhaps those minted before 1930, many weighed 37.7 (usually about 37.67 grams or thereabout and some were 37.75 grams) but Taels of the same design minted after 1930 were around or close to 30.25 grams which was the established “market Tael.” I would appreciate more info on the subject. Thanking you. Best regards.
From the lettering and the beautiful rim, i suspect this coin might have been minted, not in China, but at the Heaton Mint, Birmingham.