Stack’s Bowers Colossal Spring Hong Kong Auction

Continuing its legacy of trend-setting sales that define the market for Asian numismatics, Stack’s Bowers & Ponterio is pleased to announce the Spring 2024 Hong Kong Auction – a stunning array of nearly 9,600 lots of coins, medals, tokens, and currency. This colossal sale will be presented in 13 live and internet-only sessions spread across eight days from April 15 through 22 (HKT), 2024. One of the largest sales that the firm has presented, this auction features total high-end estimates that exceed $27 million.

Lot 40207: China. Silver “Mausoleum” Dollar Pattern, Year 16 (1927). Nanking Mint. PCGS SPECIMEN-62. Estimate: $150,000-$250,000.

The always highly anticipated Rarities Night sale contains treasures from the vintage and modern Chinese series and offers two significant named collections. The first, the Nine Dragons Collection, features such stunners as a gem 1906 Silver Tael Pattern Restrike, a 1910 Silver Dollar Pattern, and a 1916 “Flying Dragon” Dollar. Seldom seen specimens abound as well, including a 1927 Silver “Mausoleum” Dollar Pattern and an 1856 Shanghai Tael. The KL Collection presents a large number of issues in elite states of preservation that are not often encountered. Among provincial issues, this is reflected in an 1898 Dollar from Kiangnan and two 1903 Dollars from Fengtien. Off-metal patterns and trials also take center stage, highlighted by an 1897 Heaton-produced Kiangnan Copper Dollar Pattern, an 1897 Chekiang Brass Dollar Pattern, and an 1884 Kirin White Metal 7 Mace Pattern.

Lot 40087: China. Kweichow. Auto Dollar (7 Mace 2 Candareens), Year 17 (1928). Uncertain Mint, likely Chengdu. PCGS MS-61. Estimate: $200,000-$300,000.

Other incredible rarities in this session include a stunning near-gem 1908 Dollar, a 1932 “Birds under Junk” Silver Dollar (or “Sun”) Pattern, a Mint State 1906 Gold K’uping Tael Pattern, a near-gem 1916 Gold “Flying Dragon” Dollar Pattern, a 1911 Silver “Reversed Dragon” Dollar Pattern struck from specimen dies, a remarkable “mint sport” Silver Dollar featuring General Chang Tso-lin and clear evidence of the undertype, and an exceptional Mint State Kweichow 1928 “Auto Dollar.”

Lot 43122: Great Britain. Prince Edward of Wales (future Edward VIII) Gold Award “Albert” Medal, ND (1924). London Mint. NGC Encapsulated. Estimate: $15,000-$30,000.

Among the non-Chinese offerings, Great Britain dominates, with a near-gem proof “Gothic” Crown presenting great color, and an award medal in gold presented to the future Edward VIII offering a unique opportunity. Modern issues are led by two colossal gold 1000 Pounds from the “Queen’s Beasts” series. A wonderful array of coronation and related medals features an extravagant issue of Charles II. Among Asian issues, Annam offers numerous highlights, such as a “Dragon and Phoenix” 5 Tien of Thieu Tri, and silver issues from his successor including a “Five Bats” 5 Tien and a near-gem 2 Tien.

Lot 32674: Hong Kong (SAR). The Chartered Bank of India, Australia & China. 50 Dollars, ND (1912). P-43Acts. Colour Trial Specimen. PMG About Uncirculated 55 Net. Repaired, Minor Rust. Estimate: $45,000-$70,000.

In the Stack’s Bowers & Ponterio Spring 2024 world currency offering, Hong Kong issues stand out, with a five-piece specimen set garnering the session’s highest estimate, while a vintage 50 Dollar Colour Trial will also attract much attention. From mainland China, a Yuan Dynasty 2 Kuan is an impressive early survivor, and a pair of “Black” 10 Yuan from 1953 each displays remarkable EPQ status.

Other Highlights:

• Lot 40004: China. Chekiang. Brass 7 Mace 2 Candareens (Dollar) Pattern, Year 23 (1897). Esslingen (Otto Beh) Mint. Kuang-hsu (Guangxu). PCGS Genuine–Repaired, Unc Details.
• Lot 40089: China. Kweichow. Auto Dollar (7 Mace 2 Candareens), Year 17 (1928). Uncertain Mint, likely Chengdu. PCGS AU-58.
• Lot 40128: China. Silver Dollar Pattern, ND (1910). Tientsin Mint. Hsuan-t’ung (Xuantong [Puyi]). PCGS MS-64.
• Lot 40135: China. Dollar, Year 3 (1911). Tientsin Mint. Hsuan-t’ung (Xuantong [Puyi]). PCGS MS-66+.
• Lot 40171: China. Dollar, ND (1916). Tientsin Mint. Hung-hsien (Hongxian [Yuan Shih-kai]). PCGS MS-66.
• Lot 40179: China. Dollar, Year 10 (1921). Tientsin Mint. NGC MS-66.
• Lot 31114: Singapore. Board of Commissioners of Currency, Singapore. 10,000 Dollars, ND (1973). P-8As. Specimen Number 1! PMG Choice Uncirculated 63. Previously Mounted.
• Lot 32813: Hong Kong (SAR). Mercantile Bank of India. 50 Dollars, 1924. P-238s. Specimen. PMG Choice Uncirculated 64.