Stack's Bowers Offers Ultra-rare 'Birds Under Junk' Dollar Certified by NGC

Alluring vintage Chinese rarities are being offered in an upcoming auction that includes several coins certified by Numismatic Guaranty Company® (NGC®) likely to realize six figures. Bidding is underway for Stack’s Bowers Galleries’ April 2024 Hong Kong Auction, which includes a Rarities Night session on April 15, 2024.

Highlighting the auction is a China 1932 Silver Dollar - Birds Under Junk graded NGC MS 62 (lot 40212), with an estimate of $400,000 to $600,000. Part of a series intended to transition China to the gold standard, this pattern coin weighed more than 25% less than the contemporaneous "Birds Over Junk" Dollar and featured modifications in its reverse design, notably relocating the geese below the boat and adjusting the legend to read "Gold Standard Currency, One Dollar." This lot stands as the sole numerically graded silver example with a reeded edge recorded in the NGC Census.

Also offered is a China 1906 Tael Restrike graded NGC MS 65 (lot 40120) with an estimate of $200,000 to $400,000. Crafted with meticulous attention to detail, this coin features intricate designs and inscriptions reflective of its time. This is a high-grade example of a particularly rare type that is a restrike of the original.

Other NGC-certified coins in this auction include:

• a China 1921 Silver Dollar Hsu Shih-Chang graded NGC MS 66 (lot 40179) with an estimate of $150,000 to $300,000
• a China YR3(1911) Silver Dollar - Long Whiskered Dragon graded NGC Specimen AU Details (lot 40133) with an estimate of $75,000 to $150,000
• a China 1914 Silver Dollar - L.Giorgi graded NGC MS 63+ (lot 40164) with an estimate of $75,000 to $150,000
• a China (1856) Shanghai Tael graded NGC AU 58 (lot 40093) with an estimate of $70,000 to $100,000
• a China 1923 Silver Dollar - Tsao Kun Military Uniform graded NGC MS 65 (lot 40199) with an estimate of $70,000 to $100,000
• a China YR17(1928) Kweichow Auto Dollar graded NGC XF 45 (lot 40088) with an estimate of $40,000 to $60,000
• a China 1916 Silver Dollar - Hung Hsien graded NGC MS 62 (lot 40173) with an estimate of $40,000 to $60,000
• a Soviet China 1934 Szechuan-Shensi Silver Dollar - Small Stars graded NGC AU 53 (lot 40221) with an estimate of $40,000 to $60,000
• a China 2008 10,000 Yuan Panda graded NGC PF 69 Ultra Cameo (lot 40238) with an estimate of $40,000 to $60,000
• a China (1990) 15-ounce Gold Vault Protector - Tang Dynasty graded NGC PF 67 Ultra Cameo (lot 40248) with an estimate of $30,000 to $60,000

Estimates are provided by the auction house. The $ symbol indicates US Dollars.