Republic. Henan Dachibao ("Big-Winged") Sycee of 50 Taels ND (c. 1912-1948), Opitz-pg. 323 (this piece illustrated), Cribb-Unl. (cf. Classes II.A and III.A), cf. Tai, Sycee Online, Ho50/1 (different stamp). 134mm. 1515.6gm. Each of the two columns reads: "Min Guo Nian Yue" (The Republic of China Year Month). By all measures an extremely rare type--entirely missing from Cribb's catalog of the British Museum Collection, which cites no 50 Tael sycee from the Henan Province, and very few Republican period ingots in general. The stamps appear a bit lightly struck, though the piece on whole is visually quite appealing, with aged slate-gray surfaces and a subtle glossiness to the outer portions. The side displays a small inventory sticker from Mr. Opitz's collection, with two sides showing minor discoloration, likely from old stickers or labels. This lot has not yet been assigned a grade, as it will be submitted to Gongbo for certification before the auction. Ex. Spink-Taisei Catalog 13 (3 September 1992, Lot 250)

HID09801242017

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