PMG-graded Banknotes Excel in Spink Hong Kong,China Auction

PMG-graded banknotes led the way at Spink's Banknotes, Bonds & Shares and Coins of China and Hong Kong, China Sale auction, held at Spink China in Hong Kong,China January 4-6, 2019.

A Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corp. 1921-23 50 Dollars, graded PMG 25 Very Fine, realized HK$740,000 ($94,000 USD), far exceeding its pre-auction estimate of HK$350,000 to HK$450,000. Only a handful of examples of this note are known to exist, which helped make this the highest price realized for a single-item lot in the auction.

Hongkong & Shanghai Banking Corp. 1921-23 50 Dollars, graded PMG 25 Very Fine. Realized: HK$740,000 ($94,000 USD) Click image to enlarge.

Another PMG-graded lot, which consisted of the front and back of a Hong Kong,China 1930 500 Dollar Color Trial Specimen, was the top lot in the entire auction. With both sides of the specimen graded PMG 64 Choice Uncirculated, the lot realized HK$780,000 ($99,000 USD), far above its pre-auction resimate of HK$350,000 to HK$400,000.

Other PMG highlights included:

• Lot 1123 - China, 1950 50,000 Yuan, graded PMG 66 Gem Uncirculated EPQ. Realized: HK$540,000, above its pre-auction estimate of HK$300,000 to HK$350,000
• Lot 2472 - Hong Kong,China, Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corp., 1897-98 5 Dollars, graded PMG 30 Very Fine. Realized: HK$380,000, far above its pre-auction estimate of $150,000 to HK$200,000
• Lot 714 - China, Russo-Chinese Bank Specimen, 1909 25 Kuping Taels, graded 35 Coice Very Fine Net. Realized: HK$310,000, above its pre-auction estimate of HK$150,000 to HK$200,000.
• Lot 2455 - Hong Kong,China, Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corp., 1872 1 Dollar, graded PMG 30 Very Fine. Realized: HK$280,000.
• Lot 1130 - China, 1951 5000 Yuan, graded PMG 25 Very Fine. Realized: HK$260,000.
• Lot 2630 - Hong Kong,China, Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corp., 1927 50 Dollars, graded PMG 45 Choice Extremely Fine EPQ. Realized: HK$120,000.
• Lot 684 - Hong Kong,China, Deutsch Asiatische Bank, 1907 25 Dollars, graded PMG 40 Extremely Fine. Realized: HK$110,000.