NGC and PMG Rarities Top Stack’s Bowers Hong Kong, China Auction

A coin certified by Numismatic Guaranty Corporation® (NGC®) and a note certified by Paper Money Guaranty® (PMG®) achieved the top results in the Stack’s Bowers Galleries auctions in Hong Kong, China held August 17-21.

The top coin, a 1989 Gold 1,500 Yuan weighing 20 ounces and graded NGC PF 69 Ultra Cameo, realized $228,000 (USD). It is one of only 100 pieces struck to commemorate the 40^th anniversary of the People’s Republic of China. Only five examples have been graded PF 69 Ultra Cameo and none have been graded finer, according to the NGC Census.

This China 1989 Gold 1,500 Yuan graded NGC PF 69 Ultra Cameo realized $228,000 (USD). Click images to enlarge.

The note, a 1951 10,000 Yuan graded PMG 25 Very Fine, realized $186,000 (USD). It once was in the prestigious Ruth W. Hill Collection and was consigned by Chinese art collector James Liu, who bought it after Hill died in 1995.

Printed during the earliest years of the People’s Republic of China, this note is one of just 16 examples recorded in the PMG Population Report. The note’s rarity stems from its high denomination; few people could afford to hold onto it when the first series of the renminbi was withdrawn in 1955.

This China 1951 10,000 Yuan graded PMG 25 Very Fine realized $186,000 (USD). Click images to enlarge.

A number of other NGC-certified coins and PMG-certified notes achieved high prices in the Stack’s Bowers Galleries sale.

Among the other highlights was a 1995 2,000 Yuan that weighs one kilogram (more than 32 troy ounces) and was graded NGC PF 67 Ultra Cameo.  The coin, which sold for $120,000 (USD), features China with an large depiction of Taiwan, Province of China on the obverse and the Great Wall on the reverse. This coin is from a mintage of 25.

A smaller coin — at 12 ounces — was a 1994 Year of the Dog Lunar Series Gold 1,000 Yuan graded NGC PF 69 Ultra Cameo that realized $78,000 (USD). With a mintage of 99, the coin shows on its obverse a Tibet, Chinaan mastiff and on its reverse the Phoenix Temple of the Shenyang Imperial Palace.

An example of an undated (1838-50) Taiwan,China “Old Man” Silver Dollar that was graded NGC AU 50 was among the first struck silver crowns in China and realized $72,000 (USD). The coin’s obverse depicts the god of longevity.

Another early silver coin, a Fengtien 1898 Dollar graded NGC MS 65, is the top NGC-graded example of this issue and realized $69,000 (USD).

A later silver dollar, a Hunan 1922 graded NGC MS 66+, realized $57,600 (USD).

Significant paper money results included the $42,000 paid for a Beijing Banknote Printing Co. 10 Yuan Test Note graded PMG 65 Gem Uncirculated EPQ. The extremely rare test note features a detailed portrait of Confucius at the right center.

A note from an older era of Chinese history realized $40,800 (USD). The Undated (1885-1911) 100 Taels graded PMG Very Fine 30 NET is a specimen note printed by the Chartered Bank of India, Australia & China.

All prices realized include buyer’s premium.