Rare Printer's Models Certified by PMG Among Offerings in Spink Sale in Hong Kong, China

Historically significant Chinese banknotes certified by Paper Money Guaranty® (PMG®) are among the highlights of Spink's Numismatic Collectors’ Series sale August 18, 21 and 22 in Hong Kong, China.

People’s Bank of China printer’s models for an unissued 1975 2 Yuan were created during the country’s Cultural Revolution and also reflect its resistance to Soviet incursions into two northern provinces. The two models are in a single lot, which has an estimate of HK $1.1 million to HK $1.5 million (about $140,000 to $190,000 USD). The Front Printer’s Model is graded PMG 53 About Uncirculated and the Back Printer’s Model is graded PMG 62 Uncirculated.

Two People’s Bank of China Printer’s Models for an unissued 1975 2 Yuan are in a single lot, which has an estimate of HK $1.1 million to HK $1.5 million (about $140,000 to $190,000 USD).

The fourth series of renminbi was conceived in January 1967, at the beginning of the Cultural Revolution, but wasn’t approved until 1985. This model design depicts “The United Front of Soldiers and Civilians in Tian Shan Protecting the Borders,” with the front showing soldiers with rifles on horseback and the back showing a large military transport loaded with rocket engines.

A banknote from a much earlier time in the country’s history is a Hong Kong, China Oriental Bank Corp. 1866  $25 Proof graded PMG 55 About Uncirculated. The Proof was printed on India paper by Perkins, Bacon & Co. of London. Only five Hong Kong Oriental Bank notes that were issued are known to exist. It has an estimate of HK $600,000 to HK $800,000 (about $76,000 to $102,000 USD).

Other particularly significant PMG-certified banknotes offered by Spink, a venerable London-based auction house, include:

• A Hong Kong, China — Mercantile Bank of India Ltd. 1948 $500 graded PMG 35 Choice Very Fine NET. Estimate: HK $500,000 to HK $700,000 (about $64,000 to $90,000 USD).
• A set of four International Banking Corp. 1909 uniface front and back proofs on card in denominations of $1, $5, $10 and $100 and graded from PMG 64 NET to PMG 67 EPQ. Estimate: HK $500,000 to HK $700,000 (about $64,000 to $90,000 USD).
• A Hong Kong, China — The Hong Kong and Shanghai Banking Corp. 1904-5 $5 graded PMG 35 Choice Very Fine. Estimate: HK $400,000 to HK $600,000 (about $51,000 to $76,000 USD).
• A Hong Kong, China — Chartered Bank of India, Australia and China Undated (1901-09) $100 graded PMG 40 Extremely Fine. Estimate: HK $350,000 to HK $500,000 (about $44,600 to $64,000 USD).
• A Hong Kong, China — Chartered Bank of India, Australia and China Undated (1912-26) $500 Specimen graded PMG 53 About Uncirculated. Estimate: HK $300,000 to HK $400,000 (about $38,000 to $51,000 USD).
• A Hong Kong, China — National Bank of China Ltd. 1894 $5 graded PMG 20 Very Fine. Estimate: HK $300,000 to HK $400,000 (about $38,000 to $51,000 USD).
• A Hong Kong, China — Chartered Mercantile Bank of India, London and China 1880-88 $100 Proof graded PMG 62 Uncirculated. Estimate: HK $300,000 to HK $400,000 (about $38,000 to $51,000 USD).
• A Hong Kong, China — Hong Kong and Shanghai Banking Corp. 1909 $100 graded PMG 20 Very Fine NET. Estimate: HK $300,000 to HK $450,000 (about $38,000 to $57,000 USD).
• A set of five China Ta-Ching Government Bank 1909 Specimens in denominations of $1, $5, $10, $50 and $100 graded PMG 58 Choice About Uncirculated to PMG 64 Choice Uncirculated. Estimate: HK $300,000 to HK $400,000 (about $38,000 to $51,000 USD).
• Hong Kong, China — The Chartered Bank of India, Australia & China 1929 $100 Front Printer’s Model and a Back Printer’s Model. The front is graded PMG 63 Choice Uncirculated and the back is PMG 64 Choice Uncirculated. Estimate: HK $250,000 to HK $350,000 (about $32,000 to $45,000 USD).
• Hong Kong, China — The Chartered Bank of India, Australia & China 1929 $50 Front Printer’s Model and Back Printer’s Model. The front is graded PMG 62 Uncirculated and the back is graded PMG 65 Gem Uncirculated EPQ. Estimate: HK $250,000 to HK $350,000 (about $32,000 to $45,000 USD).
• A Hong Kong, China — Mercantile Bank of India Undated (1912) $25 Color Trial Specimen graded PMG 64 Choice Uncirculated NET. Estimate: HK $250,000 to HK $350,000 (about $32,000 to $45,000 (USD).
• Hong Kong, China — The Chartered Bank of India, Australia & China 1929 $5 Front Printer’s Model and Back Printer’s Model, both graded PMG 63 Choice Uncirculated. Estimate: HK $200,000 to HK $300,000 (about $25,000 to $38,000 USD).
• Hong Kong, China — The Chartered Bank of India, Australia & China 1929 $10 Front Printer’s Model and Back Printer’s Model. The front is graded PMG 62 Uncirculated and the back is graded PMG 64 Choice Uncirculated. Estimate: HK $200,000 to HK $300,000 (about $25,000 to $38,000 USD).
• Hong Kong, China — The Chartered Bank 1956 $10 Front Printer’s Model and Back Printer’s Model. The front is graded PMG 64 Choice Uncirculated and the back is graded PMG 65 Gem Uncirculated EPQ. Estimate: HK $150,000 to HK $200,000 (about $25,000 to $38,000 USD).
• A Hong Kong, China — The Chartered Bank of India, Australia & China 1930 $500 Back Printers Model graded PMG 64 Choice Uncirculated. Estimate: HK $150,000 to HK $250,000 (about $19,000 to $32,000 USD).

This Great Britain Silver Trade Dollar graded NGC PF 63 has an estimate of HK $145,000 to HK $200,000 (about $18,000 to $25,000 USD) Click image to enlarge.

Significant coins graded by Numismatic Guaranty Corporation® (NGC®) also will be offered at the Spink sale, including:

• An 1895 Great Britain Silver Trade Dollar graded NGC PF 63. Estimate: HK $145,000 to HK $200,000 (about $18,000 to $25,000 USD).
• A 1904 Kiangnan Province Silver $1 graded NGC MS 66. Estimate: HK $80,000 to HK $120,000 (about $10,195 to $15,000 USD).
• A 1985 China Brass Panda 1 Yuan graded NGC PF 66 Ultra Cameo. Estimate: HK $100,000 to HK $150,000 (about $13,000 to $19,000 USD).
• A 1984 China Year of the Rat Gold 150 Yuan graded NGC PF 69 Ultra Cameo. Estimate: HK $80,000 to HK $100,000 (about $10,000 to $12,700 USD).