Building on its legacy as a leader in high-end numismatics, esteemed auction firm Stack’s Bowers & Ponterio is proud to unveil its October 2023 Hong Kong Auction. Featuring over 10,000 lots of coins, medals, tokens, and currency, this colossal event will include rare and exciting offerings from virtually all numismatic specialties. Comprising 16 sessions to be held October 5 through 21, offerings will range from elite rarities to affordable favorites. Certain to be among the firm’s largest sales to date, estimates for the live and internet sections cumulatively exceed $20 million.
Leading the auction is the eagerly anticipated Rarities Night on October 12. Reserved for the most prestigious and desired offerings from the Chinese series, it features treasures that are seldom seen at auction. A coveted “Reversed Dragon” Dollar offered in SPECIMEN-62 is among the pinnacle offerings, as is a lovely Kweichow “Bamboo” Dollar, one of the most sought-after types in Chinese numismatics. A Manchurian Pattern Dollar is notable for its impressive rarity and bold design. For astute collectors seeking gold patterns, the Shantung 10 Dollars Pattern, Republic Pattern Dollar, and the ever-iconic K’uping Tael Pattern will be of particular interest. Among the many other standouts are an amazing “Pavilion Dollar” in gold, two examples of the popular Hupeh Tael in MS-62, an incredible “Tsao Kun” Presentation Dollar, and a Gem Szechuan Dollar with resplendent toning. A perennial favorite, the Kweichow “Auto” Dollar is also well-represented in the auction.
Beyond these classics of the Chinese series, the October Hong Kong sale offers a dazzling array of other world rarities. Fitting with the venue, the coins of Hong Kong constitute one of the most impressive sections of the auction. Chief among these are a gorgeously toned 1866 Hong Kong Dollar in PROOF-62 and an extremely rare and well-pedigreed Pattern Dollar from 1863. Collectors of the increasingly popular Korean series will be particularly excited for the Year 502 Whan, which in AU-55 stands proudly as the single finest example graded by PCGS from an incredibly low mintage of just 77. Following the impressive performance by Annamese issues in the firm’s Spring 2023 Hong Kong sale, standouts in this event include a breathtaking “Four Perfections” 4 Tien in MS-64 and a Choice 5 Tien of remarkable beauty. A wealth of Southeast Asian colonial rarities is highlighted by a fabulous ½ Cent Copper Pattern from British North Borneo. Departing from Asian numismatics, noteworthy offerings include a German New Guinea 5 Mark in MS-65 and a Choice Proof “Gothic” Crown of Victoria, one of the jewels of the British series. A Platinum 12 Rubles, one of the rarest and most unusual issues in the Russian series, stands out due to its great heft and elegance.
Shifting focus to world currency, the Stack’s Bowers & Ponterio Hong Kong sale is headlined by a sensational lot of four consecutive 10 Yuan notes from the early People’s Republic of China. All certified at PMG About Uncirculated 55 EPQ, these notes represent an incredible find. Other highlights include a Specimen 10,000 Dollars from Malaya and British Borneo in exceptional condition and an extremely rare 1933 Specimen 1000 Dollars issued by the Straits Settlements.
Other World Coin Highlights:
- Lot 30223: CHINA. Silver Dollar Pattern, Year 12 (1923). Tientsin Mint. PCGS MS-65+.
- Lot 30219: CHINA. Gold Presentation Dollar, Year 10 (1921). Tientsin Mint. NGC MS-61.
- Lot 30096: CHINA. Kwangtung. 7 Mace 3 Candareens (Dollar), ND (1889). Kwangtung Mint. Kuang-hsu (Guangxu). NGC AU Details–Obverse Scratched.
- Lot 30242: CHINA. Silver Dollar Pattern, Year 18 (1929). Hangchow Mint. PCGS SPECIMEN-63.
- Lot 30218: CHINA. Silver Medallic Dollar, Year 10 (1921). Tientsin Mint. PCGS SPECIMEN-61.
- Lot 33476: CANADA. Gold 2500 Dollars (Kilo), 2021. Ottawa Mint. Lunar Series, Year of the Ox. PCGS PROOF-69 Deep Cameo.
- Lot 34505: STRAITS SETTLEMENTS. 50 Cents, 1900-H. Birmingham (Heaton) Mint. Victoria. NGC SPECIMEN-66.
- Lot 33586: GREAT BRITAIN. Trade Dollar, 1901-C. Calcutta Mint (although likely struck in London). Victoria. NGC PROOF-60.
- Lot 33467: CAMBODIA. Tical, CS 1209 (1848). Udong Mint. Ang Duang. NGC MS-62.
- Lot 34072: JAPAN. Japan – Mexico. Ansei Trade Dollar (3 Bu or San Bu), ND (ca. 1859-60). PCGS MS-62.
- Lot 34176: KOREA. 5 Yang, Year 501 (1892). Incheon Mint. Kojong (as King). PCGS MS-63.
Other World Currency Highlights:
- Lot 21031: CHINA–PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC. Peoples Bank of China. 100 Yüan, 1949. P-835a. S/M#C282. PMG Gem Uncirculated 66 EPQ.
- Lot 22143: MALAYA AND BRITISH BORNEO. Board of Commissioners of Currency. 1000 Dollars, 1953. P-6s. Specimen. PMG About Uncirculated 55 EPQ.
- Lot 22178: SINGAPORE. Board of Commissioners of Currency, Singapore. 10,000 Dollars, ND (1973). P-8As. Specimen Number 1!. PMG Choice Uncirculated 63. Previously Mounted.
- Lot 23001: CHINA–EMPIRE. Yuan Dynasty. 2 Kuan, 1264-1341. P-Unlisted. PMG Choice Fine 15 Net. Restoration
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 nearly 90-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 D. Brent Pogue Collection, The John J. Ford, Jr. Collection, The Louis E. Eliasberg, Sr. Collection, The Harry W. Bass, Jr. Collection, The Joel R. Anderson Collection, The Norweb Collection, The Cardinal Collection, The Sydney F. Martin Collection and The Battle Born Collection — to name just a few. World coin and currency collections include The Pinnacle Collection, The Louis E. Eliasberg, Sr. Collection of World Gold Coins, The Kroisos Collection, The Alicia and Sidney Belzberg Collection, The Salton Collection, The Wa She Wong Collection, and The Thos. H. Law Collection.
The company is headquartered in Costa Mesa, California, with galleries in New York, Boston and Philadelphia. Offices are also located in New Hampshire, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Virginia, Hong Kong, Paris and Vancouver. Stack’s Bowers Galleries hosts an annual Global Showcase in August featuring United States coins and currency, Ancient coins and World coins and currency in its Costa Mesa auction gallery. They are also the Official Auctioneer for several important numismatic events, including the New York International Numismatic Convention, the Whitman Coin & Collectibles Spring, Summer and Winter Expos, the Spring and Fall Hong Kong shows, and the Maastricht Paper Money Shows.
