A coin certified by Numismatic Guaranty Corporation® (NGC®) and a note certified by Paper Money Guaranty® (PMG®) achieved the top results in the Stack’s Bowers Galleries coin and paper money auctions in Hong Kong, China held May 4-6, 2020.
The top result in the coin auction was a China 1929 L&M-91 Italy Satin Finish Silver Dollar graded NGC SP 66 that realized $252,000 — more than double its pre-sale estimate.
In 1929, Italy was one of five world mints that submitted pattern designs to the Chinese Ministry of Finance for their dollar coins. This coin features the first of two designs submitted by the Italian mint along with a rare satin finish.
Another highlight was a China — Kwangtung 1889 Pattern 50 Cents graded NGC MS 63 that bested its pre-sale estimate with a $192,000 price realized. This desirable pattern issue was part of the second series of coins issued by the Kwangtung Mint.
As the coins did not meet the weight standards of officials, they were removed from circulation and replaced with a third series of coins. Thus, coins from the second series are extremely rare.
Other NGC-certified coins that realized significant amounts include:
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a China 1979 Piefort Gold 450 Yuan Year of the Child graded NGC PF 69 Ultra Cameo that realized $120,000
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a China – Honan 1909 20 Cash Copper graded NGC AU 55 BN that realized $72,000
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a China 2005 1 Kilo Gold 10,000 Yuan graded NGC PF 69 Ultra Cameo that realized $66,000
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a China – Kirin 1909 10 Cash Rooster Claw Dragon graded NGC AU 50 BN that realized $60,000
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a China 2009 1 Kilo Gold 10,000 Yuan graded NGC PF 65 Ultra Cameo that realized $54,000
The top note in the world paper money sale was an extremely rare China (1910) Ta-Ching Government Bank 10 Dollars graded PMG 55 About Uncirculated EPQ that realized $60,000 — more than doubling its pre-auction estimated sales price. The PMG Population Report lists this note as the finest of the two examples certified by PMG.
Other PMG-certified notes that realized significant amounts include:
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a China – Beijing Banknote Printing Co. 10 Yuan Test Note graded PMG 63 Choice Uncirculated that realized $42,000
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a China – Imperial Bank of China 1898 50 Dollars graded PMG 58 Choice About Uncirculated that realized $34,800
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a China – Imperial Bank of China 1898 10 Dollars graded PMG 64 Choice Uncirculated that realized $19,800 USD
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a China – Board of Revenue 1854 (Yr. 4) 50 Taels graded PMG 20 Very Fine that realized $18,000
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a China – People’s Republic 1953 10 Yuan graded PMG 30 Very Fine that realized $13,800 USD
"We are incredibly pleased by the results of the NGC-certified coins and PMG-certified notes in our recent Hong Kong sale," says Brian Kendrella, President of Stack’s Bowers.
"Against a back drop of economic uncertainty and negative indicators, our auctions have seen extremely strong demand throughout the world, resulting in several new record prices being set and over $50 million of rare coins and paper money being sold since March."
Each NGC-certified coin and PMG-certified note is backed by a comprehensive guarantee of authenticity and grade, which gives bidders greater confidence whether buying in person or online.
All prices realized include a 20% buyer’s premium and are stated in US dollars.
About Numismatic Guaranty Corporation® (NGC®)
NGC is the world’s largest and most trusted third-party grading service for coins, tokens and medals, with more than 46 million collectibles certified. Founded in 1987, NGC provides an accurate, consistent and impartial assessment of authenticity and grade. Every coin that NGC certifies is backed by the comprehensive NGC Guarantee of authenticity and grade, which gives buyers greater confidence. This results in higher prices realized and greater liquidity for NGC-certified coins. To learn more, visit NGCcoin.com.
About Paper Money Guaranty® (PMG®)
Founded in 2005, PMG is the world’s largest and most trusted third-party paper money grading service, with more than 5 million banknotes certified. PMG has established the industry’s highest standards of accuracy, consistency and integrity. Every note that PMG certifies is backed by the comprehensive PMG Guarantee of authenticity and grade, which gives buyers greater confidence. This results in higher prices realized and greater liquidity for PMG-certified notes. To learn more, visit PMGnotes.com.
