Stack's Bowers and Ponterio's May 2022 Auction, their most recent biannual Hong Kong event, netted a stunning final figure of over $43,000,000 in prices realized. This unprecedented total sets a record for the single highest grossing world and ancient numismatic auction held by any firm. With nearly 10,000 lots offered across 18 sessions and a sell through rate of 97%, the May 2022 Hong Kong Auction truly offered items that appealed to every interest and budget.
Stack's Bowers Galleries will offer a full set of the 1941 Panama Arias series in their upcoming June Collectors Choice Online Auction. Individually the notes have realized historic prices since the pandemic began, with multiple higher-grade examples all bringing five-figure sums, in many cases more than $40,000. The set that will be offered in the June CCO auction includes all of the notes in the Very Fine grade range. Some show minor rust yet maintain their overall eye appeal. The highlight of the group, the 20 Balboa, features a very low serial number of 59..
Stack's Bowers and Ponterio's inaugural Rarities Night of Chinese Coins proved a resounding success, as 255 lots realized just short of $27,000,000 as one session of the firm's May 2022 Hong Kong Auction. The highest priced item in the sale, a majestic Year 3 (1911) Pattern "Long Whisker" Dollar graded Specimen-63+ by PCGS, brought an astonishing $3,000,000, establishing a new record for the most valuable world coin sold by an American auction firm. This type is one of the most popular issues in Chinese numismatics, and this lot featured one of the most preeminent examples of the type ever offered.
The incredible Dr. Paul and Rosalie Zito Collection sold for nearly $4.3 million in the Stack's Bowers Galleries Spring 2022 Showcase Auction, contributing to nearly $37 million in overall prices realized for the salea 60% increase above the pre-sale estimate. The Zito Collection was formed through private transactions that began in September 1995 and ended in August 2003. During those eight years, the Zitos assembled a formidable cabinet of world-class rarities that rivals some of the greatest built in the modern era. It comprised 92 individual coins offered across 88 lots, resulting in an average lot value of nearly $49,000.
The incredible Hendricks Set of United States Gold Coins from the Fairmont Collection sold for over $13.6 million in the Stack's Bowers Galleries Spring 2022 Showcase Auction, more than doubling the overall pre-sale estimate. Presented across 506 lots, the coins in the Hendricks Set realized an average value of nearly $30,000, with 17 lots achieving six-figure prices. More than 350 lots, over 70% of the collection, set new auction records for the grade or overall issue. All of the coins were certified by PCGS and 349 coins, almost 69%, were approved by CAC.
