An extremely rare 1949 Kweichow 50 Cent with the “Greek border” design realized US$334,600 in the Stack’s Bowers Galleries April 2014 Hong Kong Showcase Auction. The graded AU-58 coin by NGC is considered to be the fractional counterpart of the famous “Bamboo Dollar”. This coin is the highest graded by either PCGS or NGC.
The reverses for the coin displays a large number “50” in the center surrounded by a pearled ring. Just beyond the pearled ring the figure “50” is printed 32 times. Finally, a Greek meander border similar to the obverse is present.
The 50 Cents piece displays on the obverse within an inner pearled ring, four Chinese characters that denote: “Half-Dollar Silver Coin.” Above the pearled ring in Chinese characters is the date: “38th Year of the Republic of China” (1949). Two small four petalled rosaces divide this upper legend from the lower, which reads: Made in Kweichow Province.” Surrounding these is the aforementioned Greek meander border.
The Stack’s Bowers Galleries April 2014 Hong Kong Showcase Auction drew the attention of astute numismatists from across the globe. Over $7 million worth of rare coins, banknotes and other Asian numismatic items have found new homes. The April 2014 Hong Kong Showcase Auction featured The Craig Collection and The Arthur Cox Collection of Ferracute Company Archive Materials, among other important collections and consignments.
The following lot, a 20 Cent from the same series, realized $334,600 after much spirited bidding. A 1920 Yuan Shih-kai Dollar struck in gold, ex: Wa She Wong Collection and graded MS-64 (NGC), realized $262,900 — almost double what it sold for in the Stack’s Bowers Galleries December 2010 Hong Kong Auction. A Chihli (Pei Yang) Tael, Year 33 (1907), graded AU-58 by PCGS, brought more than estimated when it realized $149,375 after strong bidder participation.
“The market for classic Chinese rarities has strengthened, and the prices realized show that,” said Kent Ponterio, senior numismatist of world and ancient coins for Stack’s Bowers Galleries. He noted that the Szechuan Pattern Dollar struck in brass and graded Specimen-61 (PCGS) from The Arthur Cox Collection sold for $77,675 — an NGC graded MS-62 example in the Stack’s Bowers Galleries April 2013 Hong Kong Auction fetched $50,787.50.
“There were times when there was standing room only during the auction, and to Kent’s point, vintage and classic Chinese coins realized extremely strong prices,” said Richard Ponterio, executive vice president of Stack’s Bowers Galleries.
Offered in a separate catalog was an extensive offering of Asian and Chinese banknotes anchored by The Ernest A. Ikenberry Collection. Hailing from this important property was the top drawing note in the sale, lot 32001 — a Ming Dynasty 400 Cash note — likely the only collectible example. The note brought an impressive $119,500. Another important rarity, a $100 note from the Chartered Bank of India, Australia and China, dated September 1, 1927, brought $44,812.50.
2 pieces Pahang Tin Hat Money, ca. 1864-89 realized US$675 in the auction. A large example (72.59 mm, 113.90 gms) dated AH 1281 (1864) and a smaller example (28.71 mm, 10.09 gms). Each piece has been holed as is usual, but both are in exceptional states of preservation. VERY FINE.
