Rarities Graded by NGC and PMG Offered in Hong Kong, China Sale

Large gold Chinese coins certified by Numismatic Guaranty Corporation® (NGC®) and spectacular notes certified by Paper Money Guaranty® (PMG®) are being offered August 17 through 21 at the Stack's Bowers Galleries auctions in Hong Kong, China.

A China 1989 Gold 1,500 Yuan graded NGC PF 69 Ultra Cameo weighs 20 ounces and is 3.5 inches in diameter. From a mintage of only 100, these were struck for the 40^th anniversary of the People’s Republic of China. Its obverse has a depiction of Mao Zedong giving a speech with a group of the nation’s leaders behind him. The NGC Census shows only five of the coins to be known at this grade and none higher. The coin has an estimate of $160,000 to $180,000 (USD).

This China 1989 Gold 1,500 Yuan graded NGC PF 69 Ultra Cameo, among a mintage of only 100, was struck for the 40th anniversary of the People’s Republic of China. Its obverse shows Mao Zedong giving a speech. The coin has an estimate of $160,000 to $180,000 (USD). Click images to enlarge.

A China 1995 Gold 2,000 Yuan graded NGC PF 67 Ultra Cameo weighs a kilogram (more than 32 troy ounces). Its obverse shows an outline of China’s borders in a small size and Taiwan, China much bigger, with lines radiating from China to the rim. The reverse depicts the Great Wall. The coin’s estimate is $125,000 to $175,000 (USD).

A China 1994 Year of the Dog Lunar Series Gold 1,000 Yuan graded NGC PF 69 Ultra Cameo weighs in at 12 ounces. The obverse depicts a bear-like Tibet, Chinaan Mastiff in a nature scene. The reverse shows the Phoenix Temple of the Shenyang Imperial Palace. Its estimate is $70,000 to $80,000 (USD).

Other particularly notable coins offered include:

• A China Fengtien 1898 Silver Dollar graded NGC MS 65 is the top-NGC-graded example of these coins and has an estimate of $50,000 to $60,000 (USD).
• A China 1994 Unicorn Series Gold 500 Yuan graded NGC PF 69 Ultra Cameo has an estimate of $30,000 to $35,000 (USD).
• A China 1995 Unicorn Series Gold 500 Yuan graded NGC PF 69 Ultra Cameo. Estimate: $30,000 to $35,000 (USD).
• A China 1903 Bronze Pattern 1 Mace graded NGC MS 64 RB was part of a planned but never minted currency reform and has an estimate of $18,000 to $22,000 (USD).
• A China 1911 Silver Dollar graded NGC MS 66 has an estimate of $15,000 to $20,000 (USD).
• A Soviet China 1934 Silver Dollar graded NGC AU 53 has an estimate of $10,000 to $12,000 (USD).
• A China 1989 5-ounce Gold Official Mint Medal graded NGC PF 69 Ultra Cameo has an estimate of $9,000 to $12,000 (USD).
• A China 1984 Gold Year of the Rat 150 Yuan graded NGC PF 69 Ultra Cameo has an estimate of $8,000 to $10,000 (USD).
• A China 1904 Kwangtung Fantasy Issue Tael graded NGC MS 63 has an estimate of $7,000 to $10,000 (USD).
• A China 1916 Hunan Fantasy Issue Silver Dollar graded NGC MS 62 has an estimate of $3,500 to $5,000 (USD).

This China 1951 10,000 Yuan graded PMG 25 Very Fine was issued in Inner Mongolia and shows herdsmen on horses on the obverse. Its estimate is $150,000 to $200,000 (USD). Click image to enlarge.

Leading the note offerings is a China 1951 10,000 Yuan graded PMG 25 Very Fine. It was once in the prestigious Ruth W. Hill Collection and is being sold by Chinese art collector James Liu, who bought it after Hill died in 1995.

Known as the "Running Horses" type, it is one of just 16 examples recorded in the PMG Population Report.

The primary circulation area for these notes was the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region. The area in northern China on the Mongolian border was relatively sparsely populated, making it likely that the original print run was low. In addition, the high denomination of the note meant few people could afford to hold on to it when the first series of the renminbi was withdrawn in 1955.

As a result, these notes are highly valued today by collectors of Chinese paper money.

Its estimate is $150,000 to $200,000 (USD).

Other significant notes offered at the Hong Kong, China auction include:

• A China 10 Yuan Test Note graded PMG Gem Uncirculated 65 EPQ. Estimate: $40,000 to $60,000 (USD).
• A China Uncut Test Note Pair commemorating the 2008 Beijing Olympics graded PMG About Circulated 58. Estimate: $40,000 to $60,000 (USD).
• A China Undated (1885-1911) 100 Taels Specimen graded PMG 30 Very Fine NET. Estimate: $40,000 to $60,000 (USD).
• A Netherlands Indies 1815 Remainder Set of nine pieces, from 1 Gulden to 1,000 Gulden and graded PMG 53 About Uncirculated to PMG 64 Choice Uncirculated EPQ, has an estimate of $12,000 to $15,000 (USD).