Camel caravan, orchid notes to top auction
A 1951 China People’s Republic 10,000 yuan, Pick 858a, is expected to take top price in Heritage’s Dec. 7-9 World Currency Signature Auction. The sale is slated in conjunction with the Hong Kong International Numismatic Fair at The Mira Hong Kong.
The PMG Choice About Uncirculated 58-graded note, which features the depiction of a camel caravan on its face, is estimated at $70,000-$90,000. It is described as “an absolute rarity of design that exhibits full colors and stainless paper which makes it appear as a Gem example through the holder.”
These were among the last notes issued in the first series of the RMB, with this design issued specifically for the frontier region of Xinjiang. Only a small number were printed and released.
Face and back specimens for the 1951 People’s Republic 10,000 yuan are also up for bid. The Inner Mongolia horse and pasture P-858As specimens are described in the catalog as:
“All notes of the 1951 series were printed in small amounts for the frontier regions of Xinjiang and Inner Mongolia. This matched pair of face and back notes for Inner Mongolia retain all original inks and details as expected. The face is PMG Choice Uncirculated 63 Net, previously mounted. The back is PMG Choice Uncirculated 63 Net, retouched.”
From the Lim & Lim Collection, a Singapore Board of Commissioners of Currency $10,000 ND (1973) P-8As specimen is expected to sell for $50,000-$60,000. The face of this, the highest denomination note from the first series of the Singapore dollar, features the Aranda Majulah orchid. “These notes were printed for one run, the 1973 series bearing the signature and seal of Minister for Finance Hon Sui Sen. This example bearing A/1 000000 serial numbers, Specimen stamps and De La Rue ovals is a presentation Specimen, used for final approval by the Commissioners of Currency, showing all final details before they are printed.”
It is graded PMG Choice Uncirculated 64 Net, previously mounted.
Other notable lots include:
• Straits Settlements $50 Sept. 24, 1925, P-12a, PCGS Very Fine 35PPQ, $20,000-$30,000.
• China Deutsch-Asiatische Bank Shanghai $200, July 1, 1914, P-S288r remainder, PMG Choice Uncirculated 64, $22,000-$25,000.
• China People’s Republic 10 yuan 1953, P-870, PCGS Choice About New 58PPQ, $25,000-$30,000.
• China People’s Republic, 1953 10 yuan second series of RMB specimen, P-870s, PMG Choice Uncirculated 64, $15,000-$17,000.
For additional information, visit www.HA.com.
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