Rare $100 slated for Hong Kong auction

Collectors of Asian rarities will need to ensure they are front and center at Stack’s Bowers’ Hong Kong sale on April 2-4. Heading the catalog is an extremely elusive 1901 Straits Settlement $100, P-4C. This is an issued note.

The $100 has everything going for it. Apart from its extreme rarity, its 1901 date is the earliest known of its type, the highest denomination of the first series of Straits Settlements issues.

Despite some spots and splits, consistent with the note’s age and circulated condition, it comes in a respectable and eminently collectible PCGS GSG Fine-12 grade.

The entire design is clear, including the splendid tiger prowling across the back of the note. Four languages are present on the note’s front: English, Chinese, Malay and Jawi.

This is the first example of this note that Stack’s Bowers has handled and the first to be certified by PCGS. None has been certified by PMG. In fact, Stack’s Bowers can find only one record of a P-4C having been offered for sale. That was a specimen that brought $50,000 and was in far worse condition than the example on offer.

Under the circumstances, the estimate of $100,000-$125,000 may prove conservative. Full details will be available online at www.stacksbowers.com.

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.

• Any coin collector can tell you that a close look is necessary for accurate grading. Check out this USB microscope today!