Stack’s Bowers Hong Kong World Paper Money Auction Results
Stack’s Bowers April 2021 Hong Kong Auction – Session A was a fun offering to watch. There are always notes one expects to perform well that do perform well. Some…
Stack’s Bowers April 2021 Hong Kong Auction - Session A was a fun offering to watch. There are always notes one expects to perform well that do perform well. Some fall short of their anticipated mark. I enjoy looking for the notes that exceed expectation and start watching for trends. One high price does not make a trend alone, it needs to be a broader movement and looking to decipher what drives a trend can be a fun pursuit. Some of the lot results that caught my attention are listed below.
The first, Lot 40368, was a Merchants Bank of Canada, Prince of Wales 5 Dollar note dated 1919, with the serial number 1 and plate letter “A”. Graded by PMG Extremely Fine 40 EPQ. Included in the lot was a period envelope reading: “First 5 Dollar Note of “a” series issued by the Merchants Bank of Canada: to coincide with the Prince of Wales visit November 1919.” Also included is a vignette by ABNC of the Prince of Wales. Estimated at $40,000-$60,000, the lot realized a price with the estimate of $48,000.
The second item I followed was Lot 40017, an 1856, CHINA—EMPIRE, Board of Revenue, vertical 1 Tael. graded PMG Very Fine 30. The note is blue and red with a main design of dragons and water. Estimated at $2,500-$3,500, the note performed strongly selling at $7,800.
The third item to catch my eye was Lot 40342. A 1944 (1945) Government of Hong Kong, 5 Dollars Emergency Issue dark red overprint on 1000 Yuan. Graded by PCGS About Uncirculated 55 PPQ, the note estimated at $1,500-$3,000 the great condition strong performer hammered in at $14,000.
The fourth note I tracked was a vibrant high condition 1924 Mongolia 5 dollars, State Treasury Note remainder. The face is green and multicolor with an ornamental watermark. Estimated at $2,500-$3,500, the lot realized a price of $5,040.
The fifth item I followed was Lot 40397, an Anglo-Palestine Bank Limited 50 Palestine Pounds, ND (1948-51) note. The face is a lovely lilac and a tough denomination to find in the series. Estimated at $5,000-$7,000, this note sold for $25,200.
The final note I want to mention is Lot 40464, a 1941 Republica de Panama, 10 Balboas. Quality dictated desirability in the case of this bank note. The note has great face colors of black on a violet, orange and green underprint. Graded by PMG Choice Uncirculated 64 EPQ, the note estimated at $25,000-$35,000 sold at auction for $48,000.
There were a lot of beautiful, high-quality notes in this offering. I am not surprised they performed well with collectors. I look forward to watching upcoming offerings for more standout lots to share with you.
