A Yuan Shi-kai proof gold 1914 Giorgi dollar is the headline lot of a sale of World and Ancient Coins at Heritage Auctions in Chicago on August 8.
The rare lot is estimated at $300,000-500,000.
 The gold dollar is one of a handful of surviving pattern issues by Luigi Giorgi |
It displays Chinese leader Yuan Shi-kai (1859-1916), a pivotal figure in the nation's history who led the transition from monarchy to republic.
Italian engraver Luigi Giorgi, who was in charge of the Tientsin Mint during the early 1900s, was responsible for the design of the coin.
Pattern coins issued under his tenure feature his signature on the side, including the present example.
A Japanese 1870 Meiji gold pattern 10-yen year 3 piece is valued at $100,000.
There were initially thought to be only three examples of the rare issue extant, one of which (the Jacobs issue) sold for $276,000 at Heritage in 2011.
Heritage commented: "This type was originally intended for general issue. It was included, in this size, in the New Coinage Act.
"�Ǫthe smaller diameter, thicker coin, with identical weight was produced dated Meiji 4.
"At the time of sale of the Jacob's coin, we could trace only three known examples, one in the Bank of Japan Collection, one in the British Museum, and the Jacob's piece.
"We now have a fourth coin that has been hiding in a European family for many years."
We have a range of rare coins available.
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