20th Century Rarities Claim Top Lot Honors in Heritage Auctions’ $4.1 million Hong Kong World Coin Auction

HONG KONG (July 10, 2017) – A 1914 Republic Yuan Shih-kai Silver “L. Giorgi” Pattern Specimen Dollar SP65 PCGS, took top lot honors at $77,675 in Heritage Auctions’ inaugural Asian Coins and Currency Auctions held June 21-23 in Hong Kong, which realized $4.1 million. The auction saw bidders vying for a diverse selection of 20^th century rarities in one of the fastest-growing events in world numismatics.

Our Hong Kong office thanks all of our bidders for participating in this exciting auction,” said Cristiano Bierrenbach, Executive Vice President of International Numismatics. “Each lot was pursued by multiple bidders, which tells us we presented an auction selection that met both collector’s needs and wants.”

 The Yuan Shih-kai silver “L. Giorgi” Pattern specimen dollar is among the finest ever to come to market. The pristine surface and its exemplary state of technical preservation classified the coin as a masterpiece of Chinese coinage.

 A near-gem example, a 1921 Republic Gold “Pavilion” Year 10 Dollar sold for $62,737. The commemorative features a gleaming bust of President Hsu Shih-chang. Another rare commemorative, a People’s Republic gold 32-Piece Panda Lot 1982-2011 MS69 NGC, offered collectors a complete run of gold 1 ounce Pandas, each with a business strike format, with two 1987-dated examples (Y and S mint) and two 2001 examples (plain and with “D”). The set ended at $59,750.

 Auctioned for $59,750, the 1904 Kuang-hsü “Small Characters” Tael ND MS64 PCGS, offered a near-gem specimen of a coveted issue, which happens to be tied for the finest graded example Heritage has ever offered. A 1910 uniface Hsüan-t’ung silver Proof Pattern Empire Dollar ND (1910) PR64 PCGS, is likely the only coin of its type known to exist, having never been listed as a uniface in all reference books. It sold to a Hong Kong bidder for $50,190.

 Additional highlights include, but are not limited to: 

• China: Hupeh. Kuang-hsü “Small Characters” Tael ND (1904) MS63 PCGS: realized $50,190
• China: Kuang-hsü Specimen Pattern Tael CD 1906 SP61 NGC: realized $47,800
• China: Republic Yuan Shih-kai “L. Giorgi” Pattern Dollar Year 3 (1914) MS62 NGC: realized $45,410
• China: People’s Republic Silver Complete 12-Piece Certified Lunar Series 100 Yuan (12 oz) Proof Set: realized $44,215
• China: Qing Dynasty gold Rectangular Cast Ingot ND (c. 1750): realized $35,850

Currency Highlights

 A 1953 Peoples Republic of China 10 Yuan Pick 870 Note brought $47,800. The lovely, original 1953 10 Yuan note with its iconic vignette was offered in near-gem condition. A 1955-56 National Bank of Viet Nam 1000 Dong ND Pick 4As Specimen sold for $35,850 following interest from six international bidders.

 “The currency offerings were very strong on condition,” said Dustin Johnston, Director of Currency Auctions at Heritage. “We presented great diversity and collectors were responded.”

 A 1928 Government of India British Administration 1000 Rupees ND (1928) Pick 12c Jhunjhunwalla 3.11.2B soared to $31,070 – for being a rare, high denomination that is perfect for the grade of PMG Choice Extremely Fine 45 – and a Japan Occupation of Siberia Military Currency 10 Yen 1918 Pick M18a sold for $28,680 on its rarity from Japan’s intervention in the Russian Civil War.

 Claimed by a floor bidder in Hong Kong, an 1855 Ch’ing Dynasty Board of Revenue 50 Taels Year 5 (1855) Pick A13c sold for $28,680. The rare oversized note sold for nearly $10,000 more than the previous example Heritage auctioned from the famed Ruth Hill collection in 2014.

 Additional highlights include, but are not limited to:

• China Peiyang Tientsin Bank 1 Tael ND (circa 1910) Pick S2521r.: realized $23,900
• Hua-Hsing Commercial Bank 10 Cents = 1 Chiao; 20 Cents = 2 Chiao; 1; 5; 10 Yuan 1938 Pick J93a; J94a; J96a; J98a; J100a. (complete denomination set): realized $21,510
• China Peoples Republic of China 10000 Yuan 1951 Pick 858As Face and Back Specimens: realized $21,500
• China Deutsch-Asiatische Bank Shanghai $200 1.7.1914 Pick S288r.: realized $17,925