2016-10-04 Tue

Champion Hong Kong Auctions held on 22nd August sold the finest known 1896 silver dollar from Chihli, graded Mint State 63 by Numismatic Guaranty Corp. for an impressive $345,000 U.S.

The Chihli silver dollar features a dragon design with long horns and a large head that was a special design that was used on all Chihli coins for 1 year. Struck at the Peiyang Arsenal Mint in Tientsin, these coins are dated Year 22 of the reign, which is 1896. A different styled dragon design appeared on coins from 1897. Another notable difference in coins belonging to this particular series is that the denomination is listed in English as ONE DOLLAR instead of 7 MACE 2 CANDAREENS, which is used by all other mints. Only 3,000 examples were struck and hence is considered as one of the rarest Chinese series coins.