Stack’s Hong Kong Auction Realizes Over $21 Million

Auction house Stack’s Bowers & Ponterio is reports the results of another successful Hong Kong numismatic and notaphily sale. The firm’s October 2023 auction, featuring over 7,500 lots of coins and medals and 2,800 lots of paper money, realized a total of $21.34 million. This marks the sixth consecutive Stack’s Bowers & Ponterio Hong Kong event to exceed $20 million in total sales, a monumental achievement that solidifies their reputation and highlights the strength of their performance within the Asian numismatic market. (All prices include buyer’s premium.)

Chinese Patterns led Rarities Night, with an Exceedingly Rare and Pedigreed “Dragon & Phoenix” Gold Dollar Pattern taking the lead at $600,000, a record for the type. A Shantung Gold 10 Dollars Pattern and “Reversed Dragon” Pattern Dollar followed closely behind, achieving $444,000 and $432,000 respectively. Other areas of Asia saw strength as well, with a Hong Kong 1941-H 5 Cents and a Choice Mint State Korean 5 Yang each realizing $55,200. From the European continent, an 1847 “Gothic” Crown in Deep Cameo saw a final price of $45,600, while an Unc Details Platinum 12 Rubles brought $33,600.

Currency saw consistently strong prices, with a total realization of $3.29 million. A consecutive run of (4) People’s Bank of China 1953 10 Yuan was the highlight of the paper money sale selling for $432,000. Other standout banknotes included a Hong Kong 1935 Mercantile Bank $50 Color Trial in PMG Gem Uncirculated 65 EPQ that brought $33,600, and a rare uniface duo of Straits Settlements Archival Production Proof 10 Dollars that realized $28,800.

Other World Coin Highlights:

• Lot 30162: China. Duo of Dollars (2 Pieces), Years 34 & 3 (1908 & 1911). Tientsin Mint. Kuang-hsu (Guangxu) & Hsuan-t#ung (Xuantong [Puyi]). Both PCGS Certified. Sold for $528,000.
• Lot 30112: China. Kweichow. “Bamboo” Dollar, Year 38 (1949). NGC EF-45. Sold for $318,000.
• Lot 30114: China. Manchurian Provinces. Silver Dollar Pattern, Year 18 (1929). PCGS AU-53. Sold for $240,000.
• Lot 30223: China. Silver Dollar Pattern, Year 12 (1923). Tientsin Mint. PCGS MS-65+. Sold for $228,000.
• Lot 30147: China. Gold K’uping Tael Pattern, CD (1906). Tientsin Mint. Kuang-hsu (Guangxu). NGC MS-61. Sold for $192,000.

• Lot 30110: China. Kweichow. Auto Dollar (7 Mace 2 Candareens), Year 17 (1928). PCGS EF-45. Sold for $132,000.
• Lot 30238: China. Copper-Zinc 20 Cash Pattern, Year 13 (1924). Kalgan Mint. PCGS SPECIMEN-64. Sold for $78,000.
• Lot 30256: China. Chekiang. Fantasy Silver 7 Mace 2 Candareens (Dollar), ND (ca. early 20th Century). Imitating Birmingham (Heaton) Mint. Kuang-hsu (Guangxu). NGC MS-62. Sold for $38,400.
• Lot 30016: China. Chihli (Pei Yang). 7.2 Candareens (10 Cents), Year 22 (1896). Tientsin (East Arsenal) Mint. Kuang-hsu (Guangxu). NGC MS-63. Sold for $19,200.
• Lot 32025: China. Taiwan. 7.2 Candareens (10 Cents), ND (1893-94). Uncertain Mint, likely near Foochow. Kuang-hsu (Guangxu). PCGS VF-35. Sold for $15,600.
• World Paper Money Highlights:
• Lot 21031: China –People’s Republic. Peoples Bank of China. 100 Yüan, 1949. P-835a. S/M#C282. PMG Gem Uncirculated 66 EPQ. Sold for $49,200.
• Lot 23228: China –People’s Republic. People’s Bank of China. 500 Yuan, 1951. P-857a. S/M#C282-70. PMG Choice Fine 15 Net. Sold for $38,400.
• Lot 23001: China –Empire. Yuan Dynasty. 2 Kuan, 1264-1341. P-Unlisted. PMG Choice Fine 15 Net. Restoration. Sold for $33,600.