NGC-certified Coins and PMG-certified Notes Impress in Stack's Bowers May Sale

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 coin and paper money auctions in Hong Kong, China held May 4-6, 2020.

The top result in the coin auction was a China 1929 L&M-91 Italy Satin Finish Silver Dollar graded NGC SP 66 that realized $252,000 – more than double its pre-sale estimate. In 1929, Italy was one of five world mints that submitted pattern designs to the Chinese Ministry of Finance for their dollar coins. This coin features the first of two designs submitted by the Italian mint along with a rare satin finish.

China 1929 L&M-91 Italy Satin Finish Silver Dollar Graded NGC SP 66 – Realized $252,000 Click image to enlarge.

Another highlight was a China - Kwangtung 1889 Pattern 50 Cents graded NGC MS 63 that bested its pre-sale estimate with a $192,000 price realized. This desirable pattern issue was part of the second series of coins issued by the Kwangtung Mint. As the coins did not meet the weight standards of officials, they were removed from circulation and replaced with a third series of coins. Thus, coins from the second series are extremely rare.

China – Kwangtung 1889 Pattern 50 Cents Graded NGC MS 63 – Realized $192,000 Click image to enlarge.

Other NGC-certified coins that realized significant amounts include:

• a China 1989 2oz Gold 200 Yuan Dragon & Phoenix Pattern graded NGC PF 68 Ultra Cameo that realized $192,000
• a China 1979 Piefort Gold 450 Yuan Year of the Child graded NGC PF 69 Ultra Cameo that realized $120,000
• a China – Honan 1909 20 Cash Copper graded NGC AU 55 BN that realized $72,000
• a China 2005 1 Kilo Gold 10,000 Yuan graded NGC PF 69 Ultra Cameo that realized $66,000
• a China – Kirin 1909 10 Cash Rooster Claw Dragon graded NGC AU 50 BN that realized $60,000
• a China 2009 1 Kilo Gold 10,000 Yuan graded NGC PF 65 Ultra Cameo that realized $54,000

The top note in the world paper money sale was an extremely rare China (1910) Ta-Ching Government Bank 10 Dollars graded PMG 55 About Uncirculated EPQ that realized $60,000 – more than doubling its pre-auction estimated sales price. The PMG Population Report lists this note as the finest of the two examples certified by PMG.

China, Ta-Ching Government Bank, Pick# A81a, ND (1910) 10 Dollars Graded PMG 55 About Uncirculated EPQ – Realized $60,000 Click image to enlarge.

Other PMG-certified notes that realized significant amounts include:

• a China – Beijing Banknote Printing Co. 10 Yuan Test Note graded PMG 63 Choice Uncirculated that realized $42,000
• a China – Imperial Bank of China 1898 50 Dollars graded PMG 58 Choice About Uncirculated that realized $34,800
• a China – Imperial Bank of China 1898 10 Dollars graded PMG 64 Choice Uncirculated that realized $19,800 USD
• a China – Board of Revenue 1854 (Yr. 4) 50 Taels graded PMG 20 Very Fine that realized $18,000
• a China – People’s Republic 1953 10 Yuan graded PMG 30 Very Fine that realized $13,800 USD

"We are incredibly pleased by the results of the NGC-certified coins and PMG-certified notes in our recent Hong Kong, China sale," says Brian Kendrella, President of Stack's Bowers. "Against a back drop of economic uncertainty and negative indicators, our auctions have seen extremely strong demand throughout the world, resulting in several new record prices being set and over $50 million of rare coins and paper money being sold since March."

Each NGC-certified coin and PMG-certified note is backed by a comprehensive guarantee of authenticity and grade, which gives bidders greater confidence whether buying in person or online.

All prices realized include a 20% buyer’s premium and are stated in US dollars.