PMG-certified Straits Settlements Ultra-rarity in September Auction

A Specimen Proof banknote from the Straits Settlements that is believed to be unique is one of over 500 rarities certified by Paper Money Guaranty® (PMG®) in a Collectibles Auction Asia sale taking place Saturday, September 18, 2021. Online bidding is already open for Auction 18

The Straits Settlements 1925 1,000 Dollars Specimen Proof graded PMG 35 Choice Very Fine NET (lot 479) is the highlight of the sale. The note, which according to the auction house is the only known 1925 1,000 Dollars Specimen, has a starting bid of SGD160,000 (about $119,000 USD).

Straits Settlements 1925 1,000 Dollars Specimen Proof graded PMG 35 Choice Very Fine NET Click images to enlarge.

The front of the note displays a portrait of King George V at top center over a picture of a prowling tiger. The word “CANCELLED” has been perforated into the note, which is printed with olive green borders and highlights. It displays the date of September 24, 1925 and the serial number 00000.

The Straits Settlements were a group of small British territories in Asia that had Singapore as their capital. They used the Straits Dollar as their currency from 1898 until 1939.

Other PMG-certified highlights in the sale include:

• a group of 10 Singapore, Board of Commissioners of Currency ND (1967) 1,000 Dollar notes graded PMG 55 About Uncirculated EPQ to PMG 58 Choice About Uncirculated EPQ (lot 738) with consecutive serial numbers and with a starting bid of SGD60,000 (about $45,000 USD)
• a Singapore, Board of Commissioners of Currency ND (1967) 5 Dollars graded PMG 58 Choice About Uncirculated (lot 720) with a Super Solid Serial Number of A/1 111111 and with a current bid of SGD38,000 (about $28,000 USD)
• an uncut remainder pair of Malaysia, Bank Negara ND (1976-81) 1,000 Ringgit notes graded PMG 64 Choice Uncirculated EPQ (lot 661) with a starting bid of SGD34,000 (about $25,000 USD)
• a Malaya/British Administration 1942 (ND 1945) 100 Dollars graded PMG 30 Very Fine (lot 497) with a starting bid of SGD9,000 (about $6,700 USD)
• a pair of Malaya and British Borneo/British Administration 1953 5 Dollars notes graded PMG 65 Gem Uncirculated (lot 562) with consecutive serial numbers with a starting bid of SGD8,500 (about $6,300 USD)
• an uncut pair of Netherlands Indies 1919-21 30 Gulden Specimen notes graded PMG 66 Gem Uncirculated EPQ (lot 1072) with a starting bid of SGD 7,600 (about $5,600 USD)
• an uncut pair of Netherlands Indies 1919-21 20 Gulden Specimen notes graded PMG 65 Gem Uncirculated EPQ (lot 1071) with a starting bid of SGD7,200 (about $5,400 USD)
• a group of 10 Singapore, Board of Commissioners of Currency ND (1999) 50 Dollar notes graded from PMG 65 Gem Uncirculated EPQ to PMG 67 Superb Gem Uncirculated EPQ (lot 848) with solid serial numbers from 111111 to 999999 as well as a 1 million serial number with a starting bid of SGD7,000 (about $5,200 USD)
• a Malaysia, Bank Negara 2017 600 Ringgit Commemorative note graded PMG 68 Superb Gem Uncirculated EPQ (lot 659) with a current bid of SGD7,000 (about $5,200 USD)

All bid information provided by the auction house.