2017-11-09 Thu

A new mint was opened in Kwangtung in 1889 after which a new series of five coins were struck: 3.65 Candareens (5 Cents), 7-3/10 Candareens (10 Cents), 1 Mace 4-3/5 Candareens (20 Cents), 3 Mace 6-1/2 Candareens (50 Cents), and 7 Mace 3 Candareens. These coins replaced foreign silver coins. When it was found out that the new coins were heavier than the corresponding foreign silver coins, they were removed from circulation and melted immediately.

Lighter Pattern coins were struck in low quantities. But these coins did not get official approval from Beijing. Kwangtung Mint struck a re-designed third series of coins which was finally adopted as the standard silver coins, the very next year.

The 1889 second series is very rare among Chinese Provincial coin issues. Heritage Auctions is going to offer one of the only two certified examples of the Second Series 3 Mace 6 Candareens (50 Cents), graded MS63 by NGC, on 7th and 8th December at the World Coins Signature Auction in Hong Kong. The coin has sharp features with mottled blue and gray toning. It is lustrous with minimal marks on the surfaces.