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Auction: CSS48 - CSS48 - The Numismatic Collectors' Series sale - conducted behind closed doors
Lot: 1990

Tibet, Anonymous (c. 1928-30), 1-Tam Srang pattern, 5.83g, undated, standing snow lion facing left within a circular border, an emblem referred to in Tibet as nor bu dga' kyil ("whorling jewel of joy") above the lion, surrounded by four small jewels and streamers, below the lion the same device in a simpler version, the eight Buddhist auspicious emblems between this inside outer beaded circle, rev. flower shaped wheel with eight spokes and norbu dga' kyil ("whirling jewel of joy") in centre, surrounded by eight arches and a circle, the legend: dga' ldan pho brang phyogs las rnam rgyal tam srang 1 ("the Gaden Palace, victorious in all directions 1 Tam Srang") around, within a beaded circular border (YZM 498; KM Pn 10), graded PCGS SP45, extremely rare, the WS plate coin


This pattern was probably among the first coins to be struck in the Dode mint between 1928 and 1930 using the imported coining presses from the British firm Taylor & Challen. The obverse appears to have been struck from the same obverse die as used for pattern 5-Sho coins. The reverse design is inspired by that of the 20 Tam gold coins.

For previously sold patterns of this type refer to The Nicholas Rhodes Collection of Tibetan coins, Hong Kong, 21 August 2013, lots 304 & 305.

This coin also ex. Nicholas Rhodes collection, a duplicate sold to the current owner in the early 20th century.

Estimate
HK$150,000 to HK$180,000