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!