Occupation set realizes $168,000
The world note market continues to thrive. This was ably demonstrated by the results of Heritage’s FUN sale conducted in Tampa. The total realized was a satisfying $1,376,485, with 17…
The world note market continues to thrive. This was ably demonstrated by the results of Heritage’s FUN sale conducted in Tampa. The total realized was a satisfying $1,376,485, with 17 lots scoring over $10,000 apiece.
As anticipated pre-sale, the top-selling lot by a long chalk was the 1914 set of WWI marks produced for the Australian occupation of German New Guinea: 5, 10, 20, 50 marks (P-1b, -2b, -3b, -4b).
All are excessively rare. The set lacked the super-rare 100 marks (P-5) to provide completeness, but the four on offer had served as plate notes in the 20th edition of “Die Deutschen Banknoten ab 1871.”
Graded from PMG Choice Very Fine 35 to PMG About Uncirculated 53, the set realized $168,000.
Some distance back came a second note also sourced from the Pacific – a highly desirable Kingdom of Hawaii $100 of 1879 (P-4b). All Hawaiian $100s are exceedingly rare in any form or condition. Few were issued, and the tropical climate was less than kind to those that were.
The note was a remainder and hole punch cancelled. Nonetheless, it offered the opportunity to acquire an example of an historically important note in high grade: PCGS Choice About New 58. It was hence unsurprising when it was bid up to $45,600.
A second $100 example, but of an issued note, sold for $31,200 despite being graded just PCGS Good 6 and having restorations.
Another note rare in any form is South Vietnam’s old man 1,000 dong c. 1955-1956 (P-4A). The specimen on offer was graded PCGS Gem New 65PPQ and had no trouble racing to a satisfactory $40,800. That price compares well with the $35,850 fetched last June for one in Choice Uncirculated 64. No doubt that PPQ designation helped add that extra $5,000 to the price.
A number of Russian 18th and 19th century issues generated considerable bidder interest. A 10 rubles State assignat of 1788 (P-A9a) took $33,600 in PMG Very Fine 25 Net. A similar 25 rubles of 1803 (P-A10b) made $28,800 in PMG Very Fine 30 Net despite repairs. And a Russia 25 rubles State Credit note of 1857 (P-A38) in a highly collectable PMG Very Fine 25 soared to $21,600.
The Americas got a look-in among the high-rollers with a very rare 1905 Danish West Indies 20 francs (P-19a). This was just the second such note to be offered in recent years and came graded PCGS Apparent Very Fine 20 although with minor restorations. Unpriced in Standard Catalog of World Paper Money, it took a not unexpected $18,000.
Full details of lots sold and prices realized are available online at www.ha.com.
This article was originally printed in Bank Note Reporter. >> Subscribe today.
More Collecting Resources
• Order the Standard Catalog of World Paper Money, General Issues to learn about circulating paper money from 14th century China to the mid 20th century.
• When it comes to specialized world paper money issues, nothing can top the Standard Catalog of World Paper Money, Specialized Issues .
