Chinese coins including 1914 Republic Yuan Shih-kai silver “L. Giorgi” Pattern Specimen Dollar SP65 PCGS, took top lot honors at $77,675 USD in Heritage Auction’s $2.9 million Asian Coins Signature Auction held June 21-23 in Hong Kong. The auction saw bidders vying for a diverse selection of 20th century rarities in one of the fastest-growing events in world numismatics. The same event also saw the Asian World Currency Signature Auction raise over $1.1 million, for a total of over $4 million.
“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 offering, a People’s Republic gold 32-Piece 1 Ounce Panda Lot 1982-2011 MS69 NGC (3055/37346), offered collectors a complete run of gold 1 ounce Pandas, all 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-hsü “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 Hsüan-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.
Currency results were highlighted by a People’s Republic of China 10 Yuan 1953, Pick 870, graded Choice Uncirculated 64 by PMG. This appealing note is a notable condition rarity, with only two other fully uncirculated notes having appeared in auctions in recent years. A bid of $47,800 claimed this prize for the winning bidder.
Additional highlights include, but are not limited to:
- China: Hupeh. Kuang-hsü “Small Characters” Tael ND (1904) MS63 PCGS. Realized $50,190
- China: Kuang-hsü Specimen Pattern Tael CD 1906 SP61 NGC. Realized $47,800
- China: Republic Yuan Shih-kai “L. Giorgi” Pattern Dollar Year 3 (1914) MS62 NGC. Realized $45,410
- China: People’s Republic silver Complete 12-Piece Certified Lunar Series 100 Yuan (12 oz) Proof Set. Realized $44,215
- China: Qing Dynasty gold Rectangular Cast Ingot ND (c. 1750). Realized $35,850
Our next world coin auction will open for bidding soon at www.HA.com/coins.