PMG-certified Banknotes from Asia Take Center Stage in Heritage Sale

More than 400 banknotes from Asia and elsewhere that are certified by Paper Money Guaranty® (PMG®) are in the spotlight in a Heritage Auctions sale this month. Bidding is underway for the Hong Kong International Numismatic Fair World Paper Money Signature Auction #4030, which ends June 23, 2021.

An extremely rare Foochow banknote with a portrait of Queen Victoria is expected to be one of the top performers in the sale, with an estimate of at least $60,000. The China 1886-87 Hongkong & Shanghai Banking Corporation 1 Dollar (Foochow) graded PMG 20 Very Fine (lot 26205) is the only one of its type to be offered in a public, traceable auction, according to Heritage Auctions, and the only example graded in the PMG Population Report.

China 1886-87 Hongkong & Shanghai Banking Corporation 1 Dollar (Foochow) graded PMG 20 Very Fine Click images to enlarge.

This important 19th-century banknote was printed in extremely small batches before Foochow (or Fuzhou, as it is known today) became a major global city, located halfway between Hong Kong and Shanghai. An engraving of Queen Victoria by Bradbury, Wilkinson & Company is prominently displayed on the back of this note, which is the lone note of the series to feature this design.

Another banknote issued by Hongkong & Shanghai Banking Corporation features prominently in the Heritage sale. The rare China 1890-97 Hongkong & Shanghai Banking Corporation 5 Mexican Dollars graded PMG 66 Gem Uncirculated EPQ (lot 26216) was meant for trade in the city of Shanghai. This vibrant, high-grade note is the finest-known example and has an estimate of at least $30,000.

China 1890-97 Hongkong & Shanghai Banking Corporation 5 Mexican Dollars graded PMG 66 Gem Uncirculated EPQ Click images to enlarge.

A fascinating, high-denomination Color Trial Specimen from Malaysia is also exciting collectors. The Malaysia ND (1967-72) Bank Negara 1,000 Ringgit Color Trial Specimen graded PMG 63 Choice Uncirculated (lot 26476) has an estimate of at least $20,000. Deep green hues replace pink on this Color Trial Specimen of a rare and seldom-seen banknote, the highest denomination in the series.

Malaysia ND (1967-72) Bank Negara 1,000 Ringgit Color Trial Specimen graded PMG 63 Choice Uncirculated Click images to enlarge.

This enormous denomination was seldom used during its stint in circulation, and only a few issued examples were saved.

Other PMG-graded highlights in the sale include:

• a China 1897-98 Hongkong & Shanghai Banking Corp. 5 Dollars graded PMG 35 Choice Very Fine NET (lot 26314) with an estimate of $25,000 and up
• a Malaya and British Borneo ND (1953) 50 Dollars Color Trial Specimen graded PMG 63 Choice Uncirculated (lot 26468) with an estimate of $25,000 and up
• a China 1858 Ch'ing Dynasty 100,000 Cash graded PMG 35 Choice Very Fine (lot 26033) with an estimate of $20,000 and up
• a Malaya and British Borneo 1953 10,000 Dollars Specimen graded PMG 55 About Uncirculated EPQ (lot 26472) with an estimate of $20,000 and up
• a pair of Straits Settlements ND (1931-35) 5 Dollars notes (Front and Back Proofs) graded PMG 65 Gem Uncirculated EPQ and PMG 64 Choice Uncirculated (lot 26535) with an estimate of $20,000 and up
• a China/People's Republic 1949 20 Yuan graded PMG 65 Gem Uncirculated EPQ (lot 26088) with an estimate of $15,000 and up
• a China 1920 Hongkong & Shanghai Banking Corp. 5 Dollars graded PMG 40 Extremely Fine (lot 26217) with an estimate of $15,000 and up
• a China ND (1910) Russo-Asiatic Bank 500 Dollars graded PMG 50 About Uncirculated (lot 26242) with an estimate of $15,000 and up
• a China ND (1913-23) Hong Kong 10 Dollars Specimen graded PMG 63 Choice Uncirculated EPQ (lot 26316) with an estimate of $15,000 and up
• a China 1958 Hong Kong 100 Dollars Specimen graded PMG 66 Gem Uncirculated EPQ (lot 26364) with an estimate of $12,000 and up

All estimates provided by the auction house in US Dollars.

Related Links

PMG Population Report: China
PMG Population Report: Malaysia