Stack’s Bowers Galleries, HK-Hong Kong

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30-03-2014 – 31-03-2014

Hong Kong Showcase Auction

Hong Kong Showcase Auction fetches over $7 million

The Stack’s Bowers Galleries April 2014 Hong Kong Showcase Auction drew the attention of astute numismatists from across the globe. Over $7m worth of rare coins, banknotes and other Asian numismatic items have found new homes.
Since the company’s first Hong Kong auction in December 2010, Stack’s Bowers Galleries has offered some of the finest collections and holdings of Asian numismatic items to reach the market. The April 2014 Hong Kong Showcase Auction did not disappoint in this regard, as it featured The Craig Collection and The Arthur Cox Collection of Ferracute Company Archive Materials, among other important collections and consignments.

31488: CHINA. Kweichow. 50 Cents, Year 38 (1949). NGC AU-58. Starting price: $75,000. Sold for $358,500.

There were many highlights of the sale, but the top price went to lot 31488, an extremely rare 1949 Kweichow 50 Cent with the “Greek border” design, which realized $358,500 – more than double the high estimate.

31489: CHINA. Kweichow. 20 Cents, Year 38 (1949). NGC MS-61. Starting price: $54,000. Sold for: $334,600.

The following lot, a 20 Cent from the same series, realized $334,600 after much spirited bidding. Both coins were NGC-certified, AU-58 and MS-61 respectively, and boasted superb pedigrees.
A 1920 Yuan Shih-kai Dollar struck in gold, ex: Wa She Wong Collection and graded MS-64 (NGC), realized $262,900 – almost double what it sold for in the Stack’s Bowers Galleries December 2010 Hong Kong Auction. A Chihli (Pei Yang) Tael, Year 33 (1907), graded AU-58 by PCGS, brought more than estimated when it realized $149,375 after strong bidder participation.
“The market for classic Chinese rarities has strengthened, and the prices realized show that,” said Kent Ponterio, senior numismatist of world and ancient coins for Stack’s Bowers Galleries. He noted that the Szechuan Pattern Dollar struck in brass and graded Specimen-61 (PCGS) from The Arthur Cox Collection sold for $77,675 – an NGC graded MS-62 example in the Stack’s Bowers Galleries April 2013 Hong Kong Auction fetched $50,787.50.
“There were times when there was standing room only during the auction, and to Kent’s point, vintage and classic Chinese coins realized extremely strong prices,” said Richard Ponterio, executive vice president of Stack’s Bowers Galleries.

Offered in a separate catalog was an extensive offering of Asian and Chinese banknotes anchored by The Ernest A. Ikenberry Collection. Hailing from this important property was the top drawing note in the sale, lot 32001 – a Ming Dynasty 400 Cash note – likely the only collectible example. The note brought an impressive $119,500. Another important rarity, a $100 note from the Chartered Bank of India, Australia and China, dated September 1, 1927, brought $44,812.50.
Other highlights of the Stack’s Bowers Galleries April 2014 Hong Kong Showcase Auction include:

  • Lot 30109. JAPAN. Trade Dollar, Year 9 (1876), NGC MS-67. The finest example for the entire type. Realized $32,265.
  • Lot 30163. KOREA. Open Double Happiness Chatelaine with Attached Ribbons and Charms, ca. 19th Century. From the Craig Collection. Realized $47,800.
  • Lot 30168. KOREA. 5 Mun Pattern, Year 495 (1886), NGC MS-63 BN. Very rare pattern struck in copper. Realized $26,290 against an estimate of $10,000-15,000.
  • Lot 30384. CHINA. 1,000 Yuan, 1992. Lunar Series, Year of the Monkey, NGC Proof-69 Ultra Cameo, tied for finest certified of only 99 originally minted. Realized $89,625.
  • Lot 30489. CHINA. 500 Yuan, 1995. Unicorn Series, PCGS Proof-69 Deep Cameo, one of only 99 minted and the finest graded by PCGS. Realized $65,725.
  • Lot 30605. SYCEE. Jiangxi Fangbao. Provincial Square Ingot. 50 Tael Local Tax Ingot, Year 28 First Month (February 1902). Realized $26,290 vs. a $10,000-15,000 pre-sale estimate.

  • Lot 31011. CHINA. Tael, CD (1906) Tientsin Mint, NGC MS-62. Called a restrike struck in silver. Realized a strong $41,825.
  • Lot 31028. CHINA. Pattern Dollar Reverse Dragon Type I, Year 3 (1911), PCGS Specimen-62. A rare variety of this pattern dollar with the incused veins on the leaves. Realized $125,475 after strong bidding by specialists.
  • Lot 31151. CHINA. Pattern Dollar, Year 12 (1923) Tientsin Mint. “Pu Yi Wedding Dollar” or “Dragon and Peacock Dollar.” PCGS MS-66. This wonderful type coin in superb condition was hotly contested by collectors. Realized $77,675, nearly doubling the high estimate.
  • Lot 31221. CHINA. Dollar, Year 10 (1921). Pavilion Dollar Presentation Strike in Gold, NGC MS-61. Ex: Ultima Collection. Realized $65,725, well in excess of the $30,000-40,000 estimate range.
  • Lot 31412. CHINA. Kiangnan. 10 Cash Error, ND (1905). Struck with two obverse dies. PCGS MS-65 BN and Lot 31413. CHINA. Kiangnan. 10 Cash Error, ND (1905). Struck with two reverse dies. PCGS MS-64 BN. Each realized $15,535 against estimates of $4,000-$6,000.
  • Lot 31484. CHINA. Kweichow. Auto Dollar, Year 17 (1928) graded AU-55 (PCGS). Realized $44,812.50 after spirited bidding, well over three times the high estimate of $12,000.
  • Lot 31558. CHINA. Szechuan-Tibet. ¼ Rupee, ND (1904-12), PCGS MS-64. Realized $20,315 after fierce bidding competition.
  • Lot 31646. CHINA. Hupeh. Pattern Cash, ND (1898). PCGS Specimen-62. From the Arthur Cox Collection of Ferracute Machine Company Archival Material. Realized $11,950 against a pre-sale estimate of $2,000-$3,000.
  • Lot 31656. CHINA. Szechuan. Pattern 7 Mace 2 Candareens (Dollar), ND (1898). Struck in Brass, PCGS Specimen-61. Realized $77,675.
  • Lot 31690. TAIWAN. Fantasy Tael, ND, NGC MS-63. Realized $6,572.50

  • Lot 31698. CHINA. Large Brass Table Charm, CD (1834) Extremely Fine. Realized $13,145 against an estimate of $300-500.
  • Lot 32022. CHINA. Ta Ching Government Bank 100 Dollars, ND (1910) P-A82cts. Color Trial Specimen, PMG AU-55 NET. Realized $11,950.
  • Lot 32034. CHINA. Bank of China 1 Dollar, 1909 (1912) P-16a. PMG VF-30. Realized 16,132.50.
  • Lot 32152. CHINA. People’s Bank of China 50,000 Yuan, 1950. P-856. PMG Choice Unc-64 NET, and the finest seen by our experts. Realized more than double high estimate at $21,510.
  • Lot 32201. Bank of Taiwan Limited. 1000 Yen, nd (1945) P-1933a. PMG Choice Unc-64. Realized more than triple high estimate at $17,925.
  • Lot 32221. Chinese-American Bank of Commerce. $1, $5, & $10, 15.7.1920. P-S232s2, S235s & S236s2. In a presentation book. Notes signed by Eduard Kann as Manager. Realized $15,535.
  • Lot 32307. D.E. Woodhull Chinese Vignettes Presentation Workbook, hand-dated 22.7.1916. Book of 71 vignettes from the American Banknote Company. Realized $14,340.
  • Lot 32544. Government of the Straits Settlements 100 Dollars, 24.9.1925. P-13. PMG VF-25 NET. Realized $14,340.

Stack’s Bowers Galleries is currently accepting U.S. and world coin and paper money consignments for its 2014 ANA World’s Fair of Money Showcase and Rarities Night Auctions, and world coin and paper money consignments for the August 2014 Hong Kong Showcase Auction. Company staff will also be attending the Chicago International Coin Fair and Central States Numismatic Society Convention in the coming weeks to meet with clients and discuss collections. For more information, please call 1.800.458.4646 (West Coast) or 1.800.566.2580 (East Coast) to speak to a consignment specialist.

For more information on this and other upcoming auctions go to the Stack’s Bowers Galleries website.