2017-05-25 Thu

One of three known complete sets of 1897 Szechuan pattern coins struck by the Ferracute Machine Company of Bridgeton, New Jersey were recently certified by NGC.

Ferracute got a contract through the American Trading Company to provide coining presses and other equipment for the new Chinese mint in Szechuan Province. The Imperial Government of China wanted the same company to handle everything from building the equipment, to delivering and installing it.

On 24th March 1897, a demonstration of the presses was given to US Mint officials and other dignitaries. Some patterns were struck in silver and many were struck in brass. The equipment was then sent to China. Henry Janvier and Sidney Bowen left for China from New Jersey after nine months. They undertook a voyage and reached Yokohama, Japan. Bowen returned to the US and Janvier went to Shanghai to meet Henry Everall of the American Trading Company. Then they reached the new mint at Chengdu in Szechuan Province.

The presses and dies were rusted as they were kept in an area that was flooded. After a long restoration process, on 12th July 1898, Janvier sent a message that Chengdu Mint was ready for operations. The sample coins struck using the rusted dies were accepted by Chinese officials. New dies that were created later were not as good as the original dies made by Barber.

The newly established NGC Advanced Chinese Authentication Bureau (ACAB) evaluated The 1897 Szechuan Ferracute patterns. They were stuck inside a wooden case with glue for more than 100 years and hence required expert conservation for grading.

All the coins are the finest graded example of each type except the brass 7 Mace and 2 Candareens (Dollar), which is an SP 63+ . The set will be showcased at the American Numismatic Association (ANA) World’s Fair of Money in Denver, Colorado, from 1st to 5th August.