Lot 908

China, Qing Dynasty (1644-1911), Silver Saddle Sycee of 5 Tael (ca. 1904) Yunnan Province, Issuing Firm : Sí Yuan Chang Hao (Sí Yuan Chang Firm), Assaying Chops: Tong Chen Shou Gong Huo [Official public assayer Shi looked]. 177,57 grams. Due to the growing trade in opium within the southern parts of China an influx of silver arose bringing about the need for larger silver denominations. Discrepancy in the purity of silver over the various regions brought about the introduction of quality control systems and the use of assaying chop marks.