2025 Review
anthonythecoinman
Posts: 142 ✭✭✭
Coin 1: China - Kiangnan 1899 5 Cents - PCGS AU 50
This coin was a coin I submitted myself back in the Summer of 2025 and was a PCGS World Regular submission. This small minor denomination of 5 Cents was minted in Kiangnan Province at the Nanking (Nanjing) Mint. This piece is a key date in the realm of Chinese smaller denomination types and is one of the rarest 5 Cent pieces issued by the Kiangnan Mint, including the undated 1897 Lao Kiangnan issue. The piece that is definitively rarer than this Ji Hai (己亥 / Chi Hai) 5 Cents is the 5 Cents from Xin Chou (辛丑 / Hsin Chou) or 1901 on the Gregorian Calendar. This piece was minted in 1899, which was also a tumutous time as the Boxer Rebellion would just begin. Freshly graded PCGS AU 50 with nice scales, usual die breaks for this short production piece, and original envelope patina.
Coin 2: 1761 Mexico 8 Reales - PCGS AU 58+
This fourth coin, is obviously, the iconic Pillar 8 Reales. To be transparent, this piece was actually my first ever Pillar Dollar and acquired it way back in 2021, when I was a college freshman in the Spring Semester and it was amidst COVID. Now, the reason why I include this classic and common date Pillar 8 Reales is because I did send this in for a PCGS crossover from NGC. I was quite excited to get a uncommon and elusive AU 58+ grade from the initial AU 58 given by NGC.
The coin is very nice in hand with original golden toning and sharp strike. I was really happy to see the TrueViews on it as well. If this coin did not have a touch of wear, I am sure it would do well on the MS grade band. Nevertheless, this piece is my first coin ever in my collection that has the AU 58+ grade. I just love the eye appeal on this lustrous 8 Reales.
This coin was originally in an NGC AU 58 holder that was pedigreed to my own collection, titled the "Tar Heel Collection," a small but hopefully growing pedigree of world crowns that is in honor of my alma mater, UNC Chapel Hill. Go Heels!
NGC PhotoVision Plus (Above)
PCGS TrueView (Above)
Coin 5: 1757 Malta 30 Tari - John the Baptist Type - NGC MS 62 - ex. Sincona Auction
As a collector of Maltese 30 Tari, ever since getting my first one in April or May of 2024 (i.e., a NGC MS 64+ Hompesch 30 Tari), I always wanted to broaden my collection of Maltese crowns. This piece, which I encountered in the latest Sincona Auction during the Fall of 2025 was a piece that I put on my watch list. The 1757 piece of the Grandmaster Pinto is a common piece and bountiful. Yet, as a collector who is building a type set of Maltese 30 Taris whenever I can, where I try to fill the years first while also simultaneously building a variety set, acquiring this piece was exciting. As my Maltese mentors tell me, always find one with a full face of John the Baptist. I was able to finally find one that has that feature and this piece is the top pop for the year across both grading companies and importantly, the top pop for these John the Baptist Types across the NGC Census and PCGS Population Report.
I genuinely feel after getting this piece from Sincona, it has motivated me to find out more Maltese 30 Tari! This will be one of my goals for the new year. Fingers crossed and knocking on wood!
Comments
Well done. I particularly like the Mexican 8 reales at 58+. Great coin.
Thank you very much Abuelo!
I also was stoked with the grading result. It is also a meaningful coin for me as it was my very first 8 Reales!
Nice coins, @anthonythecoinman. I agree with you about patience. Especially with such a broad area as world crowns. The good news is there is bound to be something good to buy in most every auction as the world is your oyster!
I would caution, however, about having your collection name put on slabs at this stage. You will undoubtedly want to upgrade, and sell your lesser coins along the way. Do you really want that pedigree out there on your rejects?
Hope to meet you in NY. We need to all pitch in and fund a day off for @Abuelo so he can attend too!
Thank you so much Pruebas and I understand your advice and perspective! I will be more mindful with my "Tar Heel Collection" and maybe think about adding to this pedigree when I get an even more developed and curated crown collection. (I know I want straight grades for now!) I did not put my actual name yet and feel that is not good for me for now! Maybe when I grow older!
I will try to be selective and take it slow!
And yes, hope to meet you in NYINC! I am excited for my first time! And woah, I would like to meet you and Abuelo too!
I forgot to mention I’ve always wanted the 1864 Hong Kong dollar pattern. The HK mint purchased Soho presses and when it closed, those presses were bought by Japan for their mint. It’s a really interesting story. I think those presses might still be in the mint museum in Osaka, but I’m not sure.
I do have this James Watt pattern for Hong Kong, in both lettered and reeded edges. Due to prices, I think it’s as close as I’m going to get to a 1864 HK pattern dollar.
Wow! Yes, I did know of the story and how they sold it to Osaka amidst the period of the Meiji Restoration, IIRC. Super cool story and I do miss going to Causeway Bay!
And wow---this is my first time seeing this! Copper and also, why is the letters mirrored? I love the surfaces. Thanks for sharing!
(One of my 2026 goals is to hmm, get an original 1868 HKD and maybe a 1866 Hong Kong Half Dollar!)
Actually, I think the original SoHo Manufactory was closed by 1864, so the presses were James Watt presses. These copper samples were probably made with quick and dirty dies (hence reversed) just to show that the presses worked. Still cool relics of history.
The info may be in Pridmore (BTW, another set of references you need to get), and I need to reread it to brush up my rusty memory.
Noted and roger that! I wanna get the book by Pridmore and also Davenport too! There is just so much to learn and I am just so excited! Haha! Happy Holidays!
@anthonythecoinman check out this coin. I absolutely love it (despite the condition).
https://auctions.stacksbowers.com/lots/view/3-18O1PI/t-hong-kong-sar-silver-dollar-pattern-1864-london-mint-victoria-pcgs-genuine-tooled-proof-au-details
This one too:
https://spink.com/lot/12008604
Excellent run - keep it up!
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Thank you, Zohar! Cheers to 2026! Happy New Year!