‘Two Camels’ Egyptian note tops

Spink’s main April world paper sale occupied two days over April 26-27. Some 1,779 lots were involved. They covered the full range of world notes with the usual suspects taking out most top spots.

Extremely rare and pre-loved Egypt pound of June 25, 1898, P-2b, that realized the top price of $26,311 at Spink’s April 26-27 sale. (All images courtesy and © Spink, London)

The highest price paid went to a wonderfully care worn and well-loved National Bank of Egypt pound dated June 25, 1898 and signed by Sir Frederick Rowlatt, P-2b. This is the seldom seen and highly sought after “two camels” issue. Graded PCGS Fine 15 Apparent with minor edge damage and rust stains, it nonetheless raced away to take $26,311 [£20,400] on a £12,000-16,000 estimate.

Next came an extremely rare St. Lucia specimen 10 shillings dated Oct. 1, 1920, P-2s. It was bid up to $21,680 [£16,800] in EF; just a little below upper estimate.

A price of $20,906 [£16,200] was achieved by a false color Qatar & Dubai 25 riyals specimen, P-4cs graded PCGS 66PPQ; by a Turks and Caicos Islands specimen pound dated Jan. 10, 1928, P-4s, in good EF; and by a pair of unique Iraq obverse and reverse printer’s die proofs for a 10 dinar dated July 1, 1931, P-5, in UNC.

One of four £5 Koffyfontein siege notes in private hands. Dated Jan. 1, 1901 and with a manuscript serial number and a manuscript signature of Maj. J.W.Robertson it sold for $19,621. The notes were designed by local mine manager, Jimmy West, and printed by the mine’s chief mechanical engineer, Jack Fradgley.

One semi-sleeper fetched $19,621 [£15,200] on a £6,000-8,000 estimate: a Koffyfontein siege £5 dated Jan. 1, 1901 from the Orange Free State, NIP. Only four examples are known in private hands, with the present offering graded good VF.

The magnificent East African 100 shillings of 1921, P-16, that took $18,589 in a remarkable PCGS 63PPQ.

Perhaps the same semi-sleeper designation can be assigned to a magnificent East African 100 shillings (£5) dated Dec. 15, 1921, P-16. In a remarkable PCGS 63PPQ it realized $18,589 [£14,400] on a £8,000-12,000 estimate.

But definitely in the sleeper category was a Russian State Credit Note specimen set, 1918-19 issue, 25, 50, 100, 500 and 1000 rubles, P-39As to P-40s, P-41s to P-42s. In about UNC-UNC the set went to a new home for $13,940 [£10,800] on a £1,000-1,500 estimate.

Among other top-priced items were:

• British Honduras $100 specimen, (c. 1895), NIP, good EF: $11,618 [£9,000];

• Deutsche-Asiatische Bank $1, Tsingtau, March 1, 1907, P-1a, about EF: $14,718 [£11,400];

• Czechoslovakia 500 korun specimen, 1923, P-18s, UNC: $10,845[£8,400];

• France 500 francs essay, (c. 1982), PMG 66 Gem Uncirculated EPQ: $12,394 [£9,600];

• Guadeloupe 100 francs, ND (1920-5), P-9, about EF: $12,394 [£9,600];

• India 100 rupees pair, Bombay, (1927), P-10b, PCGS Extremely Fine 40: $11,618 [£9,000];

• Iraq 100 dinars, (1942), P-21a, F: $15,492 [£12,000];

• Syrie et Grand-Liban 10 livres, 1930, P-31, good F: $15,492 [£12,000];

• Southern Rhodesia £10, April 15, 1953, P-15a, PCGS Choice About New 58: $13,940 [£10,800];

• Timor $25, Jan. 1, 1907, P-11, repaired, clean, F: $10,845[£8,400].

The total realized for the two-day sale was $1,502,616. Full catalog details and prices realized are available at www.spink.com. A premium of 20 percent has been added to all prices shown. These have been converted at a rate of 1GBP = 1.28USD.

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.

• The Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1901-2000 is your guide to images, prices and information on coinage of the 1900s.

Kerry RodgersAuthor