An exceedingly rare 1897 Fengtien (Teng-Tien) Aluminum Dollar Pattern SP61 PCGS realized $89,625 on its way to becoming the top lot in Heritage Auctions' Hong Kong's $2.82+ million inaugural joint World & Ancient Coins and Currency Signature® auctions, held Dec. 10-12, 2015, at the Hyatt Regency Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon, Hong Kong.
"This has been a historic week for Heritage with our events in Hong Kong being a resounding success with prices well-exceeding our estimates," said Cristiano Bierrenbach, Vice President of Heritage Auctions. "It was an honor to be there and to meet so many of our Asian clients in person. Heritage is committed to the Asian market in the long run and we are looking forward to seeing what our 2016 events in June and December will bring."
A tremendous amount of excitement surrounded the lead-in to the auction itself, with four full days of lot viewing at the venue that, according to Heritage, exceeded attendance at any Heritage lot viewing in the past for the category. That enthusiasm spilled into the auction, as the room was completely packed with bidders, with the standing room crowd flowing out the door.
"The overall results were better than even our most positive expectations," said Kenneth Yung, Director of Asian Operations at Heritage Hong Kong. "As the official auctioneer of the 2015 Hong Kong International Numismatic Fair, the event attracted top dealers and collectors of Asian numismatics from all over the world. The overall feedback was very positive and we're very much looking forward to continuing this success with our June 2016 auction and beyond."
Empire gold Pattern Kuping Tael (Liang) CD 1906 AU55 NGC Further numismatic highlights included an exceptional 1906 Empire gold Pattern Kuping Tael (Liang) AU55 NGC, Ex: Latin Family Collection,which realized $59,750, a stunning Superb Gem 1912 Republic Sun Yat-sen Dollar MS67 PCGS that saw spirited bidding before finishing at $52,580 and a 1921 Tibetan Theocracy gold 20 Srang MS63 NGC, a superb example of one of the greatest Tibetan rarities, which saw a $50,190 final price realized.
On the World Currency side of the auction, a Hong Kong Oriental Bank $500 Pick UNL Proof note PMG Choice Uncirculated 64, an excessively rare design in any state, proved the most compelling draw of the auction to collectors, bringing a very impressive $45,410 final price realized, while fierce bidding competition was also seen for a circa 1368 China Empire Ming Dynasty 1 Kuan PCGS About New 53 note, the highest graded example Heritage has handled, which finished the day at $25,510.
Further highlights include, but are not limited to:
- 1929 Republic Sun Yat-sen silver Pattern Dollar Year 18 MS61 NGC: Realized $43,020.
- 1914 Republic Yuan Shih-kai Specimen Pattern Dollar SP62 PCGS: Realized $41,825.
- 1792 Tibetan Qian Long Sho Year 57 AU50 NGC: Realized$35,850.
- 1921 Republic Hsu Shih-chang Pavilion Dollar Year 10 MS64 PCGS: Realized $26,680.
- Hong Kong Hong Kong and Shanghai Banking Corporation $1 PMG About Uncirculated 50: Realized $17,925.
- 1926 Portuguese India Banco Nacional Ultramarino 1 Rupia PMG Choice About Uncirculated 58: Realized $14,340.
Source: Heritage Auction
