NGC-certified Norcal Collection Excels at Auction

The Norcal Collection, which was almost entirely certified by Numismatic Guaranty Corporation (NGC), realized about $694,000 (USD) at the Champion Macau, China auction on November 25, far exceeding expectations. The collection included 29 NGC-certified Chinese coins from the early 20th century.

The Norcal Collection of vintage Chinese coins was formed by an American living in China in the 1930s and 1940s. Kept intact since 1948, the collection contains numerous finest-known examples.

The 30 coins from the Norcal Collection were expected to bring between $240,000 and $474,000. At the end of the auction, the collection realized a hammer price of $694,000 (including the 20% buyer's premium), well above expectations. (The pre-auction estimates did not inlcude the buyer's premium.)

The top-performing coin from the Norcal Collection was a 1912 Li Yuan Hung (with Hat) Silver Dollar, graded NGC MS 66. The price realized was $93,600; more than triple the pre-auction estimate of $10,000-$20,000.

Click images to enlarge.

Other Norcal Collection highlights of the Champion Macau auction included:

• Lot 210 - China: 1912 Li Yuan Hung (with Hat) Silver Dollar, graded NGC MS 65+. Pre-auction estimate: $10,000-$20,000. This coin realized $72,000.
• Lot 291 - China (Kweichow): 1928 Silver Dollar, graded NGC AU 58. Pre-auction estimate: $15,000-$30,000. This coin realized $55,200..
• Lot 226 - China (Kweichow): 1928 Silver Dollar, graded NGC AU 58. Pre-auction estimate: $15,000-$30,000. This coin realized $38,400.
• Lot 313 - China (Yunnan): ND(1916) Tang Chi Yao Protector of the Republic Commemorative Coin Silver 50 Cents, graded NGC MS 63. Pre-auction estimate: $3,000-$4,000. This coin realized $31,200.
• Lot 254 - China (Hunan): ND(1909) Hunan Da Ching Bank 1 Tael Silver, graded NGC MS 63. Pre-auction estimate: $2,500-$3,000. This coin realized $26,400.

The single uncertified coin in the Norcal Collection was a 1912 Sun Yat Sen Silver Dollar that sold for $3,600.

In addition to the Norcal Collection, other NGC-certified rarities offered in the auction included:

• Lot 0354 - The top lot in the entire sale, a 1982 Marco Polo Gold Proof 100 Yuan, graded NGC PF 68, realized $162,000. Pre-auction estimate: US $120,000-240,000.



China: 1982 Marco Polo 100 Yuan Gold Proof, graded NGC 68. Click image to enlarge. (Image courtesy of Champion)



• Lot 296 - China (Sinkiang): 1907 Ta Ch'ing Series One Tael Silver, graded NGC VF 20. This coin realized $22,800. Pre-auction estimate: $5,000-10,000.
• Lot 252 - China (Hunan): ND(1908) Changsha Firm of Chier-I 7 Mace Silver, graded NGC MS 62. This coin realized $11,400. Pre-auction estimate: $1,500-$3,000.



To learn more about Champion Auction, visit cghka.com.