Rare silver coin pattern sells for $4.758 million in Hong Kong auction
The Kwan Ping Trade Coinage pattern was designed in London around 1867 for proposed international trade in Shanghai.
A rare silver Kwan Ping Trade Coinage pattern, designed in London around 1867-68, sold for $4.758 million at a Hong Kong auction, according to the Times of India.
The coin, officially catalogued as the silver 'Chinese-Foreign Circulating Coin' Tael Pattern, was the highest-selling lot at the Stack's Bowers Galleries auction held in October 2026. The auction generated nearly $32 million in total sales.
The coin was intended for a proposed Chinese-Foreign Circulating Coin series but never entered regular circulation. The project stalled after the Hong Kong Mint closed in April 1868.
The design was proposed by W. F. Wade, the Chinese Secretary of the British Legation in Peking.
The plan involved five denominations based on the Maritime Customs weight scale, including one tael, five mace, two mace, one mace and five candareens.
The specimen was part of the Liu Mung Wang Collection and had remained out of the public auction market for approximately 76 years. It was graded PCGS Specimen-66, reflecting its preservation and specimen-quality striking.
The auction concluded on October 26, with the final results announced on November 3. The sale price of $4,758,000 included the buyer's premium.