1914 Republic Yuan Shih-kai silver dollar brings $77,675; 1953 Peoples Republic of China 10 Yuan Pick 870 Note sold for $47,800
HONG KONG (July 10, 2017) A 1914 Republic Yuan Shih-kai Silver L. Giorgi Pattern Specimen Dollar SP65 PCGS, took top lot honors at $77,675 in Heritage Auctions’ inaugural Asian Coins and Currency Auctions held June 21-23 in Hong Kong, which realized $4.1 million. The auction saw bidders vying for a diverse selection of 20th century rarities in one of the fastest-growing events in world numismatics.
Our Hong Kong office thanks all of our bidders for participating in this exciting auction, said Cristiano Bierrenbach, Executive Vice President of International Numismatics. Each lot was pursued by multiple bidders, which tells us we presented an auction selection that met both collector’s needs and wants.
The Yuan Shih-kai silver L. Giorgi Pattern specimen dollar is among the finest ever to come to market. The pristine surface and its exemplary state of technical preservation classified the coin as a masterpiece of Chinese coinage.
A near-gem example, a 1921 Republic Gold Pavilion Year 10 Dollar sold for $62,737. The commemorative features a gleaming bust of President Hsu Shih-chang. Another rare commemorative, a People’s Republic gold 32-Piece Panda Lot 1982-2011 MS69 NGC, offered collectors a complete run of gold 1 ounce Pandas, each with a business strike format, with two 1987-dated examples (Y and S mint) and two 2001 examples (plain and with D). The set ended at $59,750.
Auctioned for $59,750, the 1904 Kuang-hs Small Characters Tael ND MS64 PCGS, offered a near-gem specimen of a coveted issue, which happens to be tied for the finest graded example Heritage has ever offered. A 1910 uniface Hsan-t’ung silver Proof Pattern Empire Dollar ND (1910) PR64 PCGS, is likely the only coin of its type known to exist, having never been listed as a uniface in all reference books. It sold to a Hong Kong bidder for $50,190.
Additional highlights include, but are not limited to: