IRVINE, Calif. (April 16, 2015) — Anchored by the W & B Capital Collection, the April 2015 Stack’s Bowers and Ponterio Hong Kong auction was another major success for the firm. Bidders actively competed for coins, banknotes, medals, and other Asian numismatic items offered. The total price realized of $8,983,418 exceeded the high end estimate by $1,640,000 (all prices include the 19.5% buyer’s premium). The top price realized in the sale, at $418,250 was lot 10228, an exceptional gem example of  the Wu Hsu Kiangnan 7 Mace 2 Candareens, CD (1898) graded MS-65 by NGC, originally estimated at $70,000-$90,000. Taking second place was lot 10257, a Specimen Pattern Tael from the year 29 (1903), struck in silver at the Tientsin Mint and graded Specimen-63 by PCGS; it realized $262,900. Lot 13221 realized the top price for a bank note, as a beautiful Mercantile Bank of India $50 note graded AU-58 by PMG brought $47,800 against a $12,500 to $17,500 estimate.

“Prices for vintage and classic Chinese rarities were very robust overall, and demand was insatiable from specialist collectors,” said Richard Ponterio, Executive Vice President. “We were quite pleased with the results, and we had a 90% sell through rate for the sale.” Nirat Lerchitvikul, Director of Asian Operations for Stack’s Bowers Galleries added, “We are very pleased with the results and they directly reflect our continued leadership in the Asian numismatic marketplace.” Mr. Ponterio noted: “While the market for the classics is strong, modern issues are still below the market heights achieved in August 2011. Good opportunities abound for modern rarities right now, at the current levels.”

A partial list of the highlights of the April 2015 Hong Kong auction is presented below. Stack’s Bowers and Ponterio is now accepting consignments for our August 2015 Hong Kong sale, and we invite you to be a part of our highly successful tradition of Hong Kong auctions of Chinese and other Asian coins and banknotes. If you have similar numismatic items to those listed below, do not hesitate to contact one of our consignment specialists.

Lot 10082. KOREA. Yang, Year 501 (1892) NGC MS-65. Realized $13,145.

Lot 10085. KOREA. 5 Chon, Year 9 (1905). NGC Proof-64 Cameo. Realized $20,315.

Lot 10210. CHINA. Long Whisker Dragon Pattern Dollar, Year 3 (1911). NGC MS-63. From the W&B Capital Collection. Realized $155,350.

Lot 10215. CHINA. Chihli (Pei Yang). Tael, Year 33 (1907). NGC MS-63. From the W&B Capital Collection. Realized $161,325.

Lot 10227. CHINA. Kiangnan. 7 Mace, 2 Candareens (Dollar), ND (1898). PCGS MS-63 Secure Holder. From the W&B Capital Collection. Realized $191,200.

Lot 10235. CHINA. Kiangnan. 7 Mace, 2 Candareens (Dollar), CD (1905). NGC MS-65. From the W&B Capital Collection. Realized $179,250.

Lot 10287. CHINA. Reversed Dragon Pattern Dollar (Type II), Year 3 (1911). PCGS Specimen-62 Secure Holder. Realized $107,550.

Lot 10304. CHINA. Pattern 50 Cents (1/2 Dollar), Year 3 (1911). PCGS Specimen-63 Secure Holder. Ex. ANS Museum Duplicates, acquired 1937. Realized $107,550.

Lot 10438. CHINA. Pattern Dollar, Year 18 (1929)-R. Rome Mint. PCGS Specimen-63 Secure Holder. Realized $119,500.

Lot 10492. CHINA. Pattern Dollar, ND (1916). Signed L. Giorgi. PCGS Specimen-61 Secure Holder. Realized $179,250.

Lot 11127. CHINA. Hupeh. Tael, Year 30 (1904). PCGS MS-64+ Secure Holder. Realized $83,650.

Lot 11288. CHINA. Kwangtung. 3 Mace 6 ½ Candareens (50 Cents), ND (1889). PCGS MS-61 Secure Holder. Realized $53,775.

Lot 11337. CHINA. Kweichow. Bamboo Dollar. Year 38 (1949). NGC EF-45. Realized $65,725.

Lot 12040. CHINA. 1,000 Yuan, 1994. Panda Series. 12-ounce gold. PCGS Proof-68 Deep Cameo Secure Holder. Realized $71,700.

Lot 12043. CHINA. 1,000 Yuan, 1995. Panda Series. 12-ounce gold. PCGS Proof-68 Deep Cameo Secure Holder. Realized $71,700.

Lot 13150. Kwangtung Currency Bureau. 10 Dollars, Yr.33 (1907). PMG Extremely Fine-40. Realized $23,900.

Lot 13223. Mercantile Bank Limited. 500 Dollars, 26.5.1959. PMG Very Fine 30 Net. Splits. Realized $44,812.50.

Lot 13300. Board of Commissioners of Currency Malaya and British Borneo. 1000 Dollars, 21.3.1953. PCGS Very Fine 25 Apparent. Perforated Cancelled, Mounting Remnants and Stains. Realized $17,925.

Lot 13303. MONGOLIA. State Treasury Note. 50 Cents to 25 Dollars, 1924. Remainders. 6-piece lot. PMG 58 EPQ to Gem Uncirculated 65 EPQ. Realized $22,705.

For a complete list of prices realized, please click here.

About Stack’s Bowers Galleries

Stack’s Bowers Galleries conducts live, Internet and specialized auctions of rare U.S. and world coins and currency and ancient coins, as well as direct sales through retail and wholesale channels. The company’s 80-year legacy includes the cataloging and sale of many of the most valuable United States coin and currency collections to ever cross an auction block — The John J. Ford, Jr. Collection, The Louis E. Eliasberg, Sr. Collection, The Harry W. Bass, Jr. Collection, The Norweb Collection, The Cardinal Collection and The Battle Born Collection — to name just a few. World coin and currency collections include The Louis E. Eliasberg, Sr. Collection of World Gold Coins, The Kroisos Collection, The Alicia and Sidney Belzberg Collection, The Wa She Wong Collection, The Guia Collection, The Thos. H. Law Collection, and The Robert O. Ebert Collection.

Topping off this amazing numismatic history is the inclusion of the world record for the highest price ever realized at auction for a rare coin, the 1794 Flowing Hair Silver Dollar graded Specimen-66 (PCGS) that realized over $10 million, part of their sale of the famed Cardinal Collection. The company is headquartered in Irvine, California, with offices in New York, Wolfeboro, Hong Kong, and Paris. Stack’s Bowers Galleries is an Official Auctioneer for several important numismatic conventions, including American Numismatic Association events, the New York International Numismatic Convention, the Professional Numismatists Guild New York Invitational, the Whitman Coin & Collectibles Spring, Summer and Winter Expos, and its April and August Hong Kong Auctions.