北洋机器局库字一两 PCGS SP 53

直隶（北洋机器局）库字一两铜币。样币。黄铜製，光边，极罕。为金本位币制所设计的一两钱。背面逆时针铸有"北洋机器局"五字，中心珠圈环绕"库"字；背面铸有面值"一两"，双侧分饰龙图。约在十九世纪末二十世纪初，中国银币及铜币的价值在不同省份间相去甚远，甚至有时在同一省份亦如此。解决之道是採取统一的金本位币制，提出的相关草案甚多，但均未获实施，而此枚钱币便是其中一项草案促成的试铸样币。1919年11月1日，Dr. Giuseppe Ros在报纸<em>North China Herald</em>中发表了一篇关于中国钱币的文章，里面有这样一段话："已知有铸铜样币（本人便有3枚），其体量较小，与二十分大小相似，一面库字居中，北洋机器局环绕，另一面铸一两，两侧各有一龙。"后来，Edward Kann引述这段话时补充评论道："Dr. Ros此处所指的是否是计划新铸的北洋二钱样币，尚未可知。因为一两钱币的大小断无可能与二十分相当。不过，由于Dr. Ros是名严谨的钱币专家，我依然在此引用他的原话，儘管我并不知道该如何理解他的意思。"很明显，Dr. Ros和Edward Kann都低估了这枚样币的重要性。他们从未想过，这枚钱币可能是为预备推出的金币所铸的铜样。现普遍相信，1899年11月2日至1901年9月7日的义和团运动是阻碍这系列钱币大规模生産流通的原因。此拍品铸打深峻，图文清晰，表面呈现斑驳的橄榄色和茶色。极富趣味性的一枚，值得铜币专家仔细研究。
PCGS SP-53 Secure Holder.

From the Q. David Bowers Collection.Ex: R. B. White.

CHINA. Chihli (Pei Yang Arsenal). Pattern Tael Trial Strike, ND (ca. 1899-1900). PCGS SP-53 Secure Holder.KM-Pn3; CCC-298; K-pg. 331-32; Duan-Unlisted; CL-Unlisted. Struck in brass with plain edge. EXTREMELY RARE. Proposed design for a Tael series based on the gold standard. The obverse inscription reads counterclockwise "Běiyáng jīqì jú" (Beiyang(Pei Yang) Machinery Bureau)) with the character "Kù" (Treasury), as in Kuping Tael, at center surrounded by beaded border. The reverse has the denomination inscribed as "Yī liǎng" (One Tael) flanked by two dragons. Around the turn of the 20th century it was observed that the value of copper and silver coins varied quite a bit from province to province and in some instances from within the province of issue. The suggestion was made to switch to a gold standard which lead to a number of proposals with none actually coming to fruition. The present specimen is an example of one of those proposals that made it to trial striking for presentation. On November 1, 1919 when Dr. Giuseppe Ros wrote about Chinese Tael coinage in the "North China Herald" he did not fully understand the significance of these pieces stating "Proofs in bronze are known (I have seen 3 specimens) of a coin of small diameter - about 20-cents size - with 庫(Kù) in the center of the obverse and legend around 北洋機器局 (Běiyáng jīqì jú); and 一兩 (Yī liǎng): 1 Tael, encircled by 2 dragons, on reverse." The same can be said about Edward Kann when he cites Ros article and goes on to state "It is not clear whether or not Dr. Ros referred to an intended 2-mace PEIYANG proof coin; for it is most unlikely that a coin for 1 Tael should ever have been designed in this size of a 20-cents piece. As Dr. Ros was a serious minded numismatist, his words are cited here, though we feel unable to place proper meaning on them." It is clear that neither Ros nor Kann suspected that these pieces were trials of gold coins struck in copper or brass for presentation purposes. A plausible explanation for why this series never made it into full production and abandoned could be due to the outbreak of the boxer rebellion which lasted from 2 November 1899 - 7 September 1901. Sharply struck with the design features in high relief. Attractive mottled olive and mocha patina throughout. Very interesting and fully deserving of further in depth research from the specialist.