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CHINA Szechuen Province 1oz GOLD

$1  NGC 70 PFUC         Mintage of 400

Includes BOX, and COA

From the beginning of the 19th Century (1800's), the US and China were doing business . 

During this time one of China’s most important Provinces (Szechuen) desperately needed both new coin design and modern coin minting presses

 There are only two places you could obtain this type of technology; either Europe or the United States. 

after few bids submitted by other companies, in the end the Ferracute Machine Company had an offer they could not pass up. 

In addition to offering China 5x coin presses at a price of $13,000 ea, Ferracute also promised that, Charles Barber -the world’s most prominent coin designer and 6th Chief Engraver of the United States

would design the coin die. 

The coins he produced paved the way for future Chinese Coins by featuring the now famous Eastern Dragon on the front of the coins along with both the Province name and the denomination. This Dragon is considered by many as the finest work that Barber has ever produced.

(Barber's best known designs are the Barber dime, Barber quarter, and Barber half dollar, as well as the so-called "V" Liberty Head nickel.)

Prior to sending the presses and dies over to China, Ferracute invited the mint officials to come over and meet with Barber and learn how to operate their new machinery. So, to showcase the coins and the new presses, the Ferracute company produced a handful of Patterns which were given to both US and Chinese officials. At this  ceremony, there were 4 sets of coins struck each containing 5 Silver and 5 Brass coins showing how the new dies work in different sizes and metals.

Shortly after the 5 new mint presses were installed in China, they received major damage from a flood. The presses were restored, however the Charles Barber dies had to completely redone by Chinese Engravers, these new coins were similar but no the same as Barbers. Only 3 of the complete 10 coin pattern sets of the originals are confirmed to exist today. 

One set ended up in the hands of the most prolific vintage Chinese coin collection which is in Taiwan, one set ended up in our National Museum, the Smithsonian, where it is presently being showcased for the public, and one set is being made available in the China market and is considered priceless and is only being offered to the most discerning of collectors.