Bowker Collection Donated to the Shanghai Mint Museum

On March 23rd 2015, the Bowker Family members Marilyn Dorman (Mr. Bowker's granddaughter), Robert Bowker (Mr. Bowker's grandson) and Catherine Govindankutty (Mr. Bowker's great-granddaughter) on behalf of the Bowker family (Pic.1, 2) attended the ceremony celebrating the donation of 37 rare Chinese coins from Howard Franklin Bowker's famous collection to the Shanghai Mint Museum (a subsidiary of the Shanghai Mint). The distinguished attendees included Michael Chou (CEO of iAsure Group), David Camire (president of NCS), Gu Jun (Secretary of the Mint Party Committee), Tian Jun (Vice-Secretary of the Mint Party Committee), Chen Liyun (Chairman of the Labor Union), Zhang Jianjian (former Secretary of the Mint Party Committee), Zhou Xiang (National Committee of Cultural Relics member, Researcher of the Shanghai Museum) (Pic.3).

Pic.1 (From L) Marilyn Dorman, Robert Bowker, Catherine Govindankutty, Michael Chou, David Camire
 

Gu Jun, the Secretary of the Mint Party Committee, was thankful for the Bowker family’s generous donation (Pic.4). This was the second donation from Bowker's collection. In 2010, the Bowker family donated 139 rare coins and coin dies to the Shanghai Mint Museum. Marilyn Dorman expressed her thanks to the Shanghai Mint Museum. Her family was most pleased with the exhibit. Meanwhile, she also thanked Michael for his great help in realizing her grandfather's unfilled wish to donate his collection for public service. Michael said he was grateful for the Bowker family allowing him to assist with the donation. David Camire said it is his honor to conserve and encapsulate the collection. Zhou Xiang introduced the numismatic significance of the collection. Among the donation of 37 coins, 35 of which were sent to NGC’s Shanghai office for grading except the China[1]Qing Dynasty Kiangsi 50 Taels Square Silver Sycee issued by Wan Zai County and China-Qing Dynasty Hopeh 50 Taels Silver Sycee issued at Kaizhou, Hebei in April 1898. Thanks for the great support of NGC and NCS.

Pic.4 Shanghai Mint Party Secretary Gu Jun delivers the opening speech

Later, the Shanghai Mint issued the Certificate of Donation and Certificates of Appreciation to the Bowker Family (Pic.5), iAsure Group and NGC respectively. Gu Jun together with members of the Bowker Family conducted the Donation Ceremony of Bowker Collection (Pic.6).
 

Other distinguished guests included: Yang Changgen, Xie Wenyu (officials of Shanghai Branch of People’s Bank of China), Shen Mingdi (Deputy Secretary-General of the Shanghai Numismatic Society), Wang Chunli (deputy director of the numismatic collection committee of the China Association of Collectors), King Chan (Senior numismatic scholar of China modern commemorative coins), Yuan Shuiqing (deputy director of the Xi’an Collection Association), Zhang Ronghua (president of Shanghai Yintai), senior collectors including David Chau, Yang Ruicheng and Gao Huaibin. After the ceremony, they visited the Howard Franklin Bowker Donation Hall which includes the 37 coins of this donation and 139 coins of last donation and the Shanghai Mint Museum. The Shanghai Mint was also chosen as the right place for the next stage of donation.

Rarities from the donated 37 coins include the following:
1. CHINA-KIANGNAN ND (1897) One Dollar Silver, old Kiangnan, ornamental edge, NGC MS63;
2. CHINA-KIANGNAN 1898 One Dollar Silver, NGC MS63;
3. CHINA-KIANGNAN 1898 One Dollar Silver, circlet-like scales, NGC MS65;
4. CHINA-KIANGNAN 1900 One Dollar Silver, NGC MS64;
5. CHINA-KIANGNAN 1901 One Dollar Silver, thick dragon with dots as eyes, NGC MS63;
6. CHINA-KIANGNAN 1902 One Dollar Silver, NGC MS62;
7. CHINA-KIANGNAN 1904 One Dollar Silver, CH and dot, NGC MS65;
8. CHINA-KIANGNAN 1904 20 Cash Copper, CCC213, extremely rare, NGC MS63BN. Only 2-3 examples known to exist;
9. CHINA-CHEKIANG ND (1899) 50 Cents Silver, Chinese legend in "Wei Stele" Style, NGC MS61;
10. CHINA-SHANGHAI 1856 One Tael Silver, issued by Wang Yung Sheng, NGC MS62;
11. CHINA-SHANGHAI 1856 5 Mace Silver, issued by Ching Cheng Chee, made by Wan Chuan, NGC AU53;
12. CHINA-SHANGHAI 1856 5 Mace Silver, issued by Yu Shen Sheng, made by Wang Shou, NGC AU53;
13. CHINA-SHANGHAI ND (1868) Martime Customs One Tael Silver Pattern, NGC AU50. Extremely rare, only 5-7 examples known to exist;
14. CHINA-EMPIRE Taiping Rebel Tian Guo Sheng Bao Silver Coin, carved by hand, NGC AU Details;
15. CHINA-REPUBLIC 1929 Sun Yat Sen One Dollar Silver Pattern, made in Italy, NGC MS63.

Highlights of the Bowker Collection donated to the Shanghai Mint Museum