A vast collection of Chinese coins assembled by Dr. John Abner Snell and housed in a steamer trunk will be auctioned by Steven L. Davis of Numismatic Auctions LLC later this year, according to the firm.

The collection consists of an array of mostly 20th century Chinese coins, each meticulously tied with silk twine into 15 custom-made, fabric-lined trays that fit into a 60-pound steamer trunk. The historic collection represents a time capsule of Chinese numismatics from Empire to Republic issues, augmented by an extensive offering of Provincial issues in copper, brass and silver.

Among the highlights are a brass Chekiang Province 10 cash double dragon mule, a copper 10 cash Tai-Ching-Ti-Kuo double dragon mule, a 1921 silver Hsu Shih Chang plain edge pattern pavillion dollar, a 1904 silver Hupeh Province tael, a 1906 brass Kiangsu Province 2 cash pattern, a 1916 Yuan Shih Kai Hung Hsien silver dragon medal and a 1914 Yuan Shi Kai Republican silver dollar.

The collection returned from China with Snell's widow, Grace Snell, in 1936. The coins were given to their oldest son, John Raymond Snell, probably sometime in the early 1940s. When he died in April 2003, the collection passed to his wife, Florence Moffett Snell, who died in November 2007. Her will designated that her estate be distributed equally among the couple's five children. The five siblings have agreed to offer the collection at auction so that the coins will end up in the hands of the numismatic public.

Complimentary catalogs and more information on the sale can be obtained by contacting Numismatic Auctions online at www.numismaticauctionsllc.com, by writing P.O. Box 22026, Lansing, MI 48909, calling (517) 394-4443 or by faxing (517) 394-0579.

Biographical and historical information compiled by Dale Dailey.

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