ANNAM. "Sun and Moon" Tien, ND (1848-83). Tu Duc. PCGS MS-63. KM-403;

ANNAM. "Sun and Moon" Tien, ND (1848-83). Tu Duc. PCGS MS-63.
KM-403; Sch-352; Thierry-Not listed; Thierry Supplement-495; T.Z.S.L.-Not listed. Weight: 3.54 gms. Obverse: Clouds all around, sun right (east), moon left (west), the five planets above and below; Reverse: "Tu Duc Thong Bao". Tied for finest certified of the type with two other examples on either the NGC or PCGS population reports, none finer. This lovely little minor boasts crisp design features, lustrous surfaces and attractive mottled patina. The obverse displays light sun set hued iridescence with richer coloration on the high points, while the reverse exhibits more of a dove gray tone with areas of minor slate tone. Pleasing to the eye, this handsome little silver coin offers much originality and is vastly superior than normally encountered, as such should be considered RARE in this high state of preservation.The five planets, called Ngu Hanh, are Mercury (Thuy Tinh), Venus (Kim Tinh), Mars (Hoa Tinh), Jupiter (Moc Tinh) and Saturn (Tho Tinh). These are usually referred to as the Five Phases or Five Agents which are Fire (Mars), Water (Mercury), Wood (Jupiter), Metal (Venus) and Earth (Saturn). These have been used in East Asian philosophy to explain a wide array of phenomena including the properties of medicinal drugs, succession of political regimes, cosmic cycles and interaction between internal organs. This form of philosophy is often compared to the five elements of ancient western world, but instead of a way to describe natural substances they were actually conceived as comic agents of change.

From the Nguyen Dynasty Collection.

Estimate: $2500 - $3500