PMG-certified Chinese Banknotes Shine in Stack’s Bowers Sale

An intriguing selection of banknotes certified by Paper Money Guaranty® (PMG®) dominated a Stack’s Bowers auction on September 27, 2021. A couple of rare notes from the late 1940s and a group of notes with solid serial numbers drew the attention of collectors at the Chinese, Hong Kong and World Paper sale.

A Chinese rarity of 1949

The top lot in the sale was a rare note printed during the Chinese Revolution of 1949. The China, People’s Republic 1949 100 Yuan graded PMG 65 Gem Uncirculated EPQ (lot 10198) realized $44,400 — more than doubling its estimated price of $10,000 to $15,000.

China, People's Republic 1949 100 Yuan graded PMG 65 Gem Uncirculated EPQ. Realized: $44,400 Click images to enlarge.

Solid serial numbers

Meanwhile, a fascinating group of Hong Kong, Chartered Bank 100 Dollars with fancy serial numbers (lot 10536) realized $40,800, soaring past their estimate of $1,500 to $3,000.

Hong Kong, Chartered Bank 1982 100 Dollars Solid 3's graded PMG 66 Gem Uncirculated EPQ. The entire lot realized: $$40,800 Click images to enlarge.

The group of nine solid serial numbers included the following:

• 1980 Solid 1’s graded PMG 58 Choice About Unc EPQ
• 1980 Solid 2’s graded PMG 66 Gem Uncirculated EPQ
• 1982 Solid 3’s graded PMG 66 Gem Uncirculated EPQ
• 1979 Solid 4’s graded PMG 65 Gem Uncirculated EPQ
• 1980 Solid 5’s graded PMG 64 Choice Uncirculated EPQ
• 1980 Solid 6’s graded PMG 65 Gem Uncirculated EPQ
• 1980 Solid 7’s graded PMG 64 Choice Uncirculated EPQ
• 1980 Solid 8’s graded PMG 65 Gem Uncirculated EPQ
• 1982 Solid 9’s graded PMG 64 Choice Uncirculated

A rare 1948 Yuan

The auction featured another rare note from the time of the Chinese Revolution: a China, People’s Republic 1948 1,000 Yuan graded PMG 55 About Uncirculated (lot 10148). It realized $31,200, far above its pre-auction estimate of $1,500 to $2,000.

China, People’s Republic 1948 1,000 Yuan graded PMG 55 About Uncirculated. Realized: $31,200 Click images to enlarge.

Other PMG-certified notes in the sale included:

• a China, Ta-Ching Government Bank 1909 5 Dollars Specimen graded 67 Superb Gem Unc EPQ (lot 10024) that realized $28,800
• a China, People’s Republic 1953 10 Yuan graded PMG 40 Extremely Fine (lot 10272) that realized $28,800
• a China/Empire, Ta-Ching Government Bank ND (1910) 10 Dollars graded PMG 35 Choice Very Fine (lot 10026) that realized $18,000
• a China, People’s Republic 1951 5,000 Yuan Back Specimen graded PMG 63 Choice Uncirculated EPQ (lot 10241) that realized $18,000
• a Hong Kong, Government of Hong Kong ND (1945) 1 Dollar on 1,000 Yen graded PMG 63 Choice Uncirculated (lot 10579) that realized $16,800
• a China/Empire, Ta-Ching Government Bank ND (1910) 5 Dollars graded PMG 45 Choice Extremely Fine (lot 10025) that realized $13,200
• a China, Board of Revenue 1856 (Yr. 6) 1 Tael graded PMG 30 Very Fine (lot 10017) that realized $12,000

All prices realized include buyer’s premium. Pre-auction estimates are provided by the auction house.

Related Links:

• PMG Population Report: China 100 Yuan
• PMG Population Report: China 1,000 Yuan
• PMG Population Report: Hong Kong SAR 100 Dollars