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Scott Semans World Coins: Tibet Offer
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ORDERING INFORMATION
BOOKS ON TIBET COINS
NEPAL
This is my entire stock of Tibet coins, banknotes and medals, plus a gallery of fakes shown as a warning. I am always looking for better items to buy, or to offer here on consignment at favorable terms. Because some items are consigned we may not be able to accept Paypal or credit card payment for these items unless you are willing to pay the actual surcharges (2-4%).
Grading note Most Tibetan coins are crudely struck. Please read all grading descriptions below as including the qualifier "weak struck areas."
CLICK ON CATALOG REFERENCE TO SEE SCAN
EARLY ISSUES
625s Sherpa Coral Beads Glass beads imitting cvoral, probably made in India, these are said to be an important bead in the Tibet trade. Scan shows typical sets. 625s) Set of 9 sizes, shapes, and shades $12.50; 625t) Set of four basic shapes & shades $5.00
280 Carnelian Beads Not as famous as the Dji, but another valuable bead used to fill out necklaces. Sold by weight, beads run 4.5 to 7 grams at $1.75/gram ($8 - $13 per bead). typical examples shown. $42.50
C20a Black Tangka of Bhatgaon, Ranjit Malla, NE842 (1722 AD) Dispute over payment for this debased coin brought the Chinese into Tibet Early type with semi-circle below trident (R564), good silver AVF 20.00
C20c Black Tangka of Bhatgaon, Ranjit Malla, NE842 (1722 AD) Dispute over payment for this debased coin brought the Chinese into Tibet Later type with tri-lobe below trident (R565), reasonably good silver F-F+ 12.50
Cut Nepalese Tangkas used in Tibet. See KM Nepal listings, or Rhodes The Coinage of Nepal p.207. For other Nepalese Tankas used in Tibet see the NEPAL page.
K268 Cut Tangka, Cho-Tang, 4 Petals = 7.5 Karma, edges trimmed & center removed (R1415) Vg-F $20; F+ $27.50
K481 Cut Tangka, Pratapa Simha, 3 Petals = 5 Karma, straight cut Vg-F $20.00
K483 Cut Tangka, Pratapa Simha, 4 Petals = 7.5 Karma, straight cut Vg $20.00
K484 Cut Tangka, Pratapa Simha , 4 Petals, centers cut (R1424) Vg-F Best buy $14
K485a Cut Tangka, Pratapa Simha, 5 Petals, straight cut plus one corner (R1419) F+ $22.50
K485b Cut Tangka, Pratapa Simha, 5 Petals, straight cut plus corners (R1420) F+ $22.50
K486 Cut Tangka, Pratapa Simha, 5 Petals, scooped cut (R1421) Pr-G $9.00; F $20.00
K562K Cut Tangka, Rajendra Malla, 4 Petals = 7.5 Karma, straight cut., 2.73gm. One experienced collector returned this as suspicious. dark F-VF $30
C25 Cut Tangka, Ranjana type, 1880-1912 (C27), 3 Petals = 5 Karma (Extensive new article on this series by W. Bertsch in ONS Newsletter #185) RARE ex-Gabrisch VF-EF $60
C26 Cut Tangka, Ranjana type, 1880-1912 (C27), 5 Petals = 1 Sho 15/40 RARE ex-Gabrisch VF-EF $75
SINO-TIBETAN
C72.1 Ch'ien Lung AR Sho, regular type, 26m Yr. 58, 28 dots scan enlarged EF, mount repair 10:00 $65
C72.1 Ch'ien Lung AR Sho, regular type, 26m Yr. 59, 28 dots VF,dark $60.00; C72.1 (scan enlarged) EF+ $125
C72.1 Ch'ien Lung AR Sho, regular type, 26m Yr. 59, 32 dots AVF, mount removal obscures "9" of date (scan enlarged) $45; VF-EF (scan enlarged) $85
C93 Tao Kuang AR Sho, Yr. 3 (1823) (scan enlarged) VF $80
Y4 Skar (1910) Hsuan-t'ung Vg, edge damage (consignor priced) $200
Y5 Sho, silver, Hsuan-t'ung (1910) Pr-G, ex-mount $35; AF, ex-mount $80
Y5b Sho, silver, Hsuan-t'ung (1910) Variety with finer style and different collar. Lines between dots in obv. circle more pronounced, and coin is slightly broader (.5mm) with more distinctive reeding. 3.23g VF+, traces of solder under tarred areas, but not serious $250
Y6 2 Sho, silver, Hsuan-t'ung (1910) AVF/weak F, old solder $150
YB7 1/4 Sho Yr. 1 (1909) VF (dark but even, problem-free strike) $350
Y9 Srang Hsuan t'ung Yr.1 (1909) 34.5m Bertsch var. II VF (consignor priced) $800 SOLD; Another, Bertsch Var. Ia AVF, ex-mount areas visible (consignor priced) $450
SZECHUAN RUPEES
This is a complex series not well catalogued anywhere. For listing the Rupees I have used Karl Gabrisch's system in Münstersche Numismatische Zeitung, V.4 (1982) p.44-48 (photocopy $0.50 or request Info-074 as an email attachment). The listings below are linked to group scans showing sample pieces. Cross references are also given to Kann, KM, and my own earlier system.
Y1 1/4 Rupee, portrait, Chengdu mint VF+ solder mark center rev. $45; F+ damage to face $30
Y2 1/2 Rupee, portrait, Chengdu mint AVF $150
G6 Rupee, Chengdu mint (1912-16) collar, vertical rosette, beaded chin strap (KM-Y3.2, SS-3a) Commonest variety. SOLD
G9 Rupee , Kangting mint (1930-35), collar, horizontal rosette (KM-Y3.5, K589, SS-3d) weak F 175.00
Y3q Rupee, counterstamped, (Kangting mint, "Big Head" variety) with western numeral "4" incuse. dark F-VF $85
Y3s Rupee, counterstamped, (Kangting mint, "Big Head" variety) with western numeral "5" raised in tight rectangle on either side of bust. dark Weak Fine $50
Y3t Rupee, counterstamped, (Kangting mint, "Big Head" variety) with smaller numeral "5" with occluded bottom. dark F-VF $45
INDEPENDENT TIBET
C27a Ranjana Tangka (Nepalese traders c.1880-1912) Early type: Note the central elements on each side, such as small circle & flower, small trident & irregular dot pattern 13/16 VF $75, EF (shown) $100 SOLD
C27b Ranjana Tangka Middle type:; 15/40 (1906) some differences from earlier dates ex-Gabrisch VF/+, cleaned, or VF (shown) $65
Y10 2 ½ Skar (1909) VF, decent strike for type $875
Y11 7 ½ Skar (1909) VF+, only slight weakness rev. $750
YA13 Kong par Tangka, Fish clockwise, 15/24 VF+ 18.50
YA13a Kong Par Tangka, Fish counter clockwise, 15/24 VF+ 18.50
The Gaden Tangkas are a fascinating series to collect. Rich in both Buddhist symbolism and perplexing varieties, they were issued in large quantities and are still common today. The best history and catalog of the series is Nicholas Rhodes' ONS paper #117, Jan. 1983 (photocopy $1.50 + post.); all other systems are based on this. Krause-Mishler's SCWC has begun a detailed breakdown of the series (20th Cent. 31st ed, 19th Cent. 3rd ed) but the verbal descriptions are hard to follow and I have not yet taken the time to link their numbering to older systems. KM #'s below refer to their old major-type breakdown. Listings are by my own Info Sheet #11 (Free) references, with cross references to Rhodes (R) and the old KM (K) system. Adam Green is working on an expanded, online version of my system.
Y13B Gaden Tangka B.2 (RB2, K13.1v) F-F+; B.14, B.14c (RB4,K13.1) F-VF, B.8, (all RB3) F-VF $6.50
Y13C Gaden Tangka C1 (RC2) F-VF $9.50 SOLD
Y13D Gaden Tangka D.1 (RD2), D.2 (RD3), D.3 (RD1), F+-VF 7.50
Y13E Gaden Tangka E.1 (RE6, K13.4), E.2 (RE2), E.3 (RE4, K13.4v), E.3a, E.5 (RE1) F-VF 7.50
Y13F Gaden Tangka F.1 (RF7, KM13.6v), F.3 (RF3, KM13.6), F.5 (RF1), F.7 (RF9, KM13.8), F.8 (RF11), F.12 (RF10) F-VF 6.50
Y13G Gaden Tangka (RG, KM13.9) F-VF 6.50; VF-EF 10.00
Y17a 5 Skar Lion looking back, 15/52 (KM-Y17.1) Vg-F 7.50
Y19 5 Skar Lower Dokde (no dot) 15/53, 54 AF-F; 15/55, 56 each F-VF $3; 15/52 Vg-F (lion side weak) 5.00
Y19a 5 Skar Upper Dokde (dot) 15/56 AVF $10, VF $12
Y19b 5 Skar Reversed reverse inscription, said to be an error 15/56 (56/15) Scan brightened and enlarged for detail. Vg/F $75.00
Y20 7½ Skar scallop 15/52 better date VF $8; Rare date 15/60 VF, not specimen in scan $100
Y21.1 Sho 23m Mekyi mint type with Lion looking horizontally across back, no dot in cartouches rev. 15/53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 16/1,16/2 Each AVF-VF+ 3.00
Y21.2 Sho 23m Ser-Khang mint type with Lion looking up at 45° angle (diagonal), dot in cartouches rev. (Note: Photo in 2006 KM is wrong, but 2005 & earlier is correct.) ; 15/55b (90°) AVF-VF+ $4; 15/ 55a, 56SOLD, 58, 60, 16/1, 2a (normal), 2b (head horizontal) Each AVF-VF+ 3.00
Y21a Sho 23m Dode mint type. 15/7, 58, 59a, 59b (variants of "9") Each AVF-VF+ 3.00; 15/60, 16/1, 2 Each AVF-VF+ 2.75
Y23 Sho 23m New design, Tapchi Mint. Various "secret marks" inside the top cartouche at center-top reverse. The chart is missing from recent editions of KM, but provided here. I can not discern thick vs thin planchets, if such exist. All EF unless noted: 16/7(a) $4; 16/9 with "9" small(S), medium(M), large(L), or hooked-bottom(H): 16/9L(a) $5SOLD; 16/9M(a) VF $4SOLD; 16/9S(a) $3; 16/9L(b)SOLD, M(b) $3; 16/9S(b) $4; 16/9H(a) VF,pitting $3SOLD; 16/10(b) $6; 16/10(c=tiny, even cross),(c2=larger, long-bottom cross) $3; 16/11(a) $6SOLD; 16/11(c) $3.50; 16/11(e3) $4SOLD; 16/11(e4) $SOLD; 16/12(f) rough planchet $5SOLD; Type coin: EF $3
Y24 1½ Srang Silver Lion & mountains 16/11 VF $6
Y26 3 Srang Lion & mountains Silver 31m Mostly ex-Gabrisch, so I have examined them closely for VARIETIES. 16/9a (plain fish, full cloud) EF-AU, 16/9b (fancy fish, full cloud) EF-AU SOLD, 16/9c (plain fish, cloud missing bottom stroke) VF+ Each $40; 16/10a VF $12; EF-AU 16.50; 16/10-over-9 VF $25 16/11a,b F-VF $10; VF-EF 13.50; EF-AU 16.50; 16/12a VF-EF 13.50; EF-AU 16.50;Please give second choices as not every date will be available in every grade.; Type Coin: F-VF $10; VF-EF 13.50; EF-AU 18.00
Y27a 3 Sho 16/20 (1946) single cloud line EF $30
Y28 5 Sho Two suns, three mountains 16/,23 (K-Y28.1) VF+ 5.00
Y29 10 Srang, Two animals reverse, two suns, denomination as numerals. 30.5mm base silver, the largest size "affordable" Tibet silver 16/22 VF-EF 12.50
Y29b, 10 Srang Two animals reverse, two suns, denomination as script (KM-Y29.1). 16/23-dots VF 12.50
Y30 10 Srang, Inscription reverse, 30.5mm base silver, the largest size "affordable" Tibet silver 16/24 no-dot, 16/24-dot (1950) VF 9.00; VF+ 12.50
Y31 Monk Tangka (1946-48) AU $25 SOLD
Y31a Monk Tangka Open center dot NW obv., minor variety. VF-EF $25
MISCELLANEOUS
Listed by Colin Bruce Unusual World Coins 4th ed.
914 Book Numismatic Issues f the Franklin Mint 1969 Edition, including a listing of the Dalai Lama crown. $10
XG688
Skull Beads
Rosary beads were made from Monks' knuckle bones carved into double-faced skulls, traditioanlly 108pieces on a string. These modern replicas are mde in Nepal of Yak bone. 108 beads on 28" string, beads 12-13mm tall. $13.50 Loose beads $2/10
TOKENS - MEDALS - MILITARY DECORATIONS
BANKNOTES
P1 5 Tam Rare first-series note. Both seals visible, but basic design quite faded. (Note: Version missing one seal may also be available: inquire) (consignor priced) $165.00
P7b 50 Tam 16/87 Ragged Pr-G $18.50
50 TAM VARIETIES These 2nd Series 50 Tam varieties are consigned and priced by a Nepali dealer, reflecting the strong market for Tibetan notes. P = Pick (Shafer, Cuhaj) Standard Catalog of World Paper Money V.2 10th ed; NS = Catalogue of Tibetan Paper Money byNarbeth & Snorrason; B = A Study of Tibetan Paper Money by W. Bertsch.
P7b/NS33 50 Tam 2nd Series, longer serial # frame 16/78, Seal 2 P-7b, NS-33, B-53 Fine+, well printed, dark colors $250
P7b/NS34 50 Tam 2nd Series, longer serial # frame 16/79, Seal 2 P-7b, NS-34, B-54 AF $120
P7b/NS35 50 Tam 2nd Series, longer serial # frame 16/80 (rare date), Seal 2 P-7b, NS-35, B-55 AF $250
P7b/NS36 50 Tam 2nd Series, longer serial # frame 16/81, Seal 2 P-7b, NS-36, B-56 F+-VF $250
P7b/NS37 50 Tam 2nd Series, longer serial # frame 16/82, Seal 2 P-7b, NS-37, B-57 F+ $250
P7b/NS37R 50 Tam 2nd Series, longer serial # frame 16/82, Seal 2, mismatched serial numbers: 676414 & 676415 P-7b, NS-37v, B-57v VF $1500
P7b/NS38A 50 Tam 2nd Series, longer serial # frame 16/83 (scarce date), Seal 2A P-7b, NS-38A, B-58 VF-EF $500
P7b/NS41A 50 Tam 2nd Series, longer serial # frame 16/86, Seal 2A P-7b, NS-41A, B-64 F $250
P7b/NS42 50 Tam 2nd Series, longer serial # frame 16/87, Seal 2 P-7b, NS-42, B-65 F-VF $250
P9 10 Srang16/90, 91 Vg or 16/92, 93, 94 G-Vg Each: $8.50
P11a 100 Srang (1942-59) Large, colorful note on rice paper, about 215x140mm, typical VF-EF specimen shown G-Vg Just $5; Vg-F $10
GALLERY OF FAKES
Wolfgang Bertsch has published a vey useful study, Tibetan Fake Coins and Fantasy Countermarks, with enlarged side-by-side comparisons of known fake coins and their genuine counterparts. However, it is far from complete. Unless noted, the following specimens are from lot 231 (Baldwin-Ma-Gillio-Monetarium sale #40) in the Gabrisch collection. I have made up some B numbers to keep with his sequence.
B18aF 1/4 Sho Yr.1 (Y-B7) Modern die-struck forgeries in copper and silver from the same die. Very similar to B18, but a different die. Obtained from Nepal c. 1995.
B25F 7-½ Skar 15/43 (Y11) Made in Sikkim c. 1970 according to Rhodes
B23aF 7-½ Skar 15/43 (Y11) A very crude cast, but possibly circulated as well. Obtained 2005 from a Nepali collector.
B28F 2-½ Skar 15/55 (Y-A19) A different date than those shown in Bertsch.
B44v Srang 15/43 (Y12) Bertsch var. iv more or less. A well-made struck forgery. Giveaways are the reeded edge and the novel style of astamangala symbols at N, NW, and W rev. 34.3mm, 19.79gm Bertsch's specimen has a plain edge. Obtained 2005 from a Nepali collector.
B76F 1/4 Rupee Rare variety with missing inner leaf 8:00-9:00 reverse (Y1b). Under a glass the surfaces and rim show porosity. This specimen later mounted and repaired. Obtained 2005 from a Nepali collector.
B120aF Sho 15/55 Mekyi Mint type (Y21.1) Contemporary, circulating fake in brass, shown with genuine example.
B121F Sho 15/55 Ser-Khang Mint type (Y21.2) Contemporary, circulating fake in brass, shown with genuine example.
B135F Sho 15/56 Dode Mint type (Y21a) High quality contemporary, circulating fake in copper, shown with genuine example. Published by Rhodes in Num. Chron. 1992 (1986?)
B125F Sho 15/60 Dode Mint type (Y21a) High quality contemporary, circulating fake in copper, shown with genuine example. Published by Rhodes in Num. Chron. 1992 (1986?)
Y3FAKE A rather comical, likely recent forgery. Sold on Ebay, of course. NOT FOR SALE
WEBSITE DIRECTORY
ORDERING INFORMATION
BOOKS ON TIBET COINS
NEPAL
625s
280 Carnelian Beads Not as famous as the Dji, but another valuable bead used to fill out necklaces. Sold by weight, beads run 4.5 to 7 grams at $1.75/gram ($8 - $13 per bead). typical examples shown. $42.50