PMG-certified China Artist's Renditions Excel at Spink August Auction

A group of People’s Bank of China 1970-71 Front & Back Artist’s Renditions certified by Paper Money Guaranty® (PMG®) realized HK$1.2 million (about $155,000 USD) at a Spink auction. The Numismatic Collectors' Series Sale was held in Hong Kong, China on August 29, 2020.

In preparation for the possibility of war with the Soviet Union in the 1970s, the People's Bank of China created a series of artist's renditions in six denominations (1 Jiao, 5 Jiao, 1 Unit, 1 Yuan, 5 Yuan and 10 Yuan) as emergency wartime currency. The banknotes were printed, but the war never came to pass and the notes were never issued. According to Spink, many of these notes were destroyed over a decade ago, making this surviving group of artist's renditions exceptionally rare.

1970 1 Jiao Front & Back Artist's Renditions (left) and 1970 5 Yuan Front & Back Artist's Renditions (right). These were part of a lot of several Artist's Renditions that realized HK$1.2 million (about $155,000 USD) Click images to enlarge.

Other PMG-certified highlights include:

• a Hong Kong Chtd. Bank of India, Australia & China 1865 5 Dollars graded PMG 10 Very Good that realized HK$780,000 (about $101,000 USD)
• a Hong Kong Chtd. Bank of India, Australia & China 1910 100 Dollars graded PMG 63 Choice Uncirculated that realized HK$520,000 (about $67,000 USD)
• a Hong Kong HK and Shanghai Banking Corporation 1890-93 5 Dollars graded PMG 45 NET that realized HK$420,000 (about $54,000 USD)
• Hong Kong ND (1865) 100 Dollars Front & Back Proofs graded PMG 63 Choice Uncirculated and PMG 62 Uncirculated respectively that realized HK$320,000 (about $41,000 USD)
• a Hong Kong Chtd. Bank of India, Australia & China 1924 100 Dollars specimen graded PMG 55 About Circulated that realized HK$320,000 (about $41,000 USD)
• an Unissued 1976 5 Yuan Front & Back Artist's Renditions that realized HK$300,000 (about $39,000 USD)
• a Hong Kong Chtd. Bank of India, Australia & China 1903-1912 5 Dollars graded PMG 12 Fine that realized HK$220,000 (about $28,000 USD)
• a Hong Kong Chtd. Bank of India, Australia & China 1874-79 5 Dollars graded PMG 6 Good NET that realized HK$200,000 (about $26,000 USD)
• a China HK and Shanghai Banking 1890-97 5 Mexican Dollars graded PMG 40 Extremely Fine EPQ that realized HK$190,000 (about $24,000 USD)
• a Hong Kong 1935-41 50 Dollars Specimen graded PMG 65 Gem Uncirculated EPQ that realized HK$180,000 (about $23,000 USD).

All prices realized include a buyer’s premium.