拍品描述： 光绪三十年湖北省造大清银币库平壹两银币。 小字版。湖北一两流通时间短。此枚保存状态优秀，图文饱满深峻，绸缎光泽，反面可见初步模具降解，更添特色。有薄包浆，局部色泽更深，原汁原味，观之极美。 包括大小字两种的湖北一两制作额仅 648,000 枚，两版各自的数量不明，但大字版非常的稀少。

湖北一两是按照中国传统计重单位的银两制度进行，而非以圆为单位。原来计划中亦打算生产有五钱、二钱及一钱等面值。然而该批钱币并未面世，就连连样币形式也不得见，应是从来未曾投入制作。在实际使用时，民众发现两种制度间的兑换十分複杂，尤其是在找零钱的时候。大英博物馆藏有一枚经过切割的湖北一两，是用来找零的证据。

该枚基本上是未流通状态，被切割一大部份形式如同克力布所著的《汇丰银行钱币集藏》第141页、图4.10。湖北一两流通的时间很短，随即退出流通。虽然湖北一两的制额颇多，大多数被回炉溶化改成其他钱币。有趣的是湖北一两成色是0.877，与1905年(光绪三十一年)制定一两银币章程时的含银0.960不符。铸打深峻，光泽充沛，整体品相优秀的热捧版，定能吸引诸多藏家参与竞投。

CHINA. Hupeh. Tael, Year 30 (1904). PCGS MS-63. L&M-180; K-933; KM-Y-128.2; WS-0878. Small Characters variety.

A nicely preserved survivor of the short-lived Hupeh Tael that exhibits bold well-formed devices, satiny luster and the beginning stages of die degradation on the reverse offering interesting characteristics. A thin veneer of patina with areas of richer coloration add to its originality and pleasing appearance.

Originally 648,000 Hupeh Taels were minted, this includes both large and small character types; however, it is unknown exactly how many of each were struck. The Hupeh Tael was introduced as part of a projected coinage reform based on the traditional Chinese weight standard, rather than the Dollar system. In the initial proposal to produce these coins, it was also suggested to produce smaller denominations in the values of 1, 2, and 5 Mace. However, no such pieces have surfaced (even in pattern form) and it is unlikely they were ever produced. The general populace found it complicated in converting two distinctly different coinage system. A Hupeh Tael housed in the British museum supports this by showing evidence of cutting to make change.

The British museum specimen is essentially mint state with a large pie shape section cut from the coin. The cut is in a similar manner to the "broken dollars" picture on pg. 121 figure 4.10 of Joe Cribbs reference Money in the Bank. This short lived series circulated for only a brief period and was soon after replaced by the unified Tai Ching Ti Kuo silver coinage. Although the Hupeh Tael coinage has a fairly large mintage, most were likely melted down to be made into later coinage. It is interesting to note that the Hupeh Taels were struck in 0.877 fine silver, as opposed to the 0.960 fine silver set forth by the currency regulations of 1905. Well struck and fully lustrous, overall an excellent example of an immensely popular type that is sure to draw a great deal of bidder interest.

From the Hobart Collection.