Two Long-Whiskered Dragons Certified by NGC Each Realize More than $400,000 in Heritage Auction

An impressive pair of vintage Chinese rarities that are seldom found together in the same auction were among 10 coins certified by Numismatic Guaranty Company® (NGC®) that realized six-figure amounts in a recent sale. Bidding for Heritage Auctions’ HKINF World Coins Platinum Session and Signature Auction ended on June 20, 2025.

The highest prices realized by NGC-certified coins in the auction were for a China YR3(1911) Long-Whiskered Dragon Silver Dollar Restrike from the Peh Family Collection and graded NGC SP 63 (lot 34012), which realized $504,000, and another example with a slightly different catalog number pedigreed to the same collection and graded NGC SP 63+ (lot 34011), which realized $408,000.

The renowned Patterns of esteemed coin designer Luigi Giorgi, particularly the celebrated Long-Whiskered Dragon Dollars, generate unparalleled excitement within the collecting community. These coins, considered the pinnacle of Chinese numismatics, embody a fusion of innovative coin design and monetary policy, aimed at establishing a unified national currency in what turned out to be the final year of the Qing Dynasty.

Other NGC-certified coins sold in this auction include:

• a Japan M3(1870) Silver Pattern Yen pedigreed to the Peh Family Collection and graded NGC PF 64 (lot 34074), which realized $288,000
• a China 1995 1 Kilogram Gold 2,000 Yuan - Return of Taiwan graded NGC PF 69 Ultra Cameo (lot 33147), which realized $264,000
• a Japan M7(1874) Silver Pattern Trade Dollar - Without Beaded Border pedigreed to the Peh Family Collection and graded NGC PF 62 (lot 34083), which realized $240,000
• a Great Britain 1839 Una and the Lion 5 Sovereign pedigreed to the Peh Family Collection and graded NGC PF 60 Ultra Cameo (lot 34051), which realized $228,000
• a Japan M8(1875) Yen pedigreed to the Peh Family Collection and graded NGC MS 63 (lot 34077), which realized $168,000
• a China 1904 Tael - Large Characters graded NGC AU 58 (lot 33044), which realized $138,000
• a China YR8(1919) Copper Pattern 20 Dollars pedigreed to the Peh Family Collection and graded NGC MS 64 BN (lot 34038), which realized $114,000
• a China YR30(1904) Tael - Small Characters pedigreed to the Peh Family Collection and graded NGC MS 61 (lot 34017), which realized $108,000
• a Japan M34(1901) Silver Pattern Yen pedigreed to the Peh Family Collection and graded NGC MS 62 (lot 34081), which realized $96,000
• a China CD1898 Kiangnan Silver Dollar - Raised Eyeball graded NGC MS 64 (lot 33049), which realized $90,000
• a China YR12(1923) Silver Dollar - Small Characters pedigreed to the Peh Family Collection and graded NGC MS 62+ (lot 34035), which realized $90,000

Prices realized include a buyer’s premium. The $ symbol represents US Dollars.