Rare PMG-certified Hong Kong Banknotes Offered in January Sales

Over 500 vintage banknotes certified by Paper Money Guaranty® (PMG®) are featured in auctions presented by Spink on January 7-9, 2022. Bidding is underway for CCS73A: Banknotes, Bonds & Shares and Coins of China and Hong Kong; CCS73C: Banknotes, Bonds & Shares and Coins of China and Hong Kong; and CSS75: The South East Asian Collection Part III.

Out of a large selection of rare and vintage banknotes, an elusive Hong Kong, Chartered Bank of India, Australia & China 1912 500 Dollars graded PMG 15 Choice Fine stands in the forefront. In 1853, the bank was established in London to capitalize on trading between the British territories in the Southeast Asian region. This particular note is the only issued example in the PMG Population Report; according to Spink, fewer than five such notes exist. This rarity (CCS73C, lot 5508) has an estimate of HK$1.35 million to HK$2 million (about $173,100 to $256,500 USD).

Hong Kong, Chartered Bank of India, Australia & China 1912 500 Dollars graded PMG 15 Choice Fine Click images to enlarge.

Also featured in the sales is a rare Hong Kong, Mercantile Bank of India, Limited 1948 500 Dollars graded PMG 35 Choice Very Fine. Processing a relatively low serial number, the banknote is vibrant with blue and green ink and a representation of the Roman god Mercury is displayed on the front. This rarity (CCS73C, lot 5442) has an estimate of HK$500,000 to HK$700,000 (about $64,100 to $89,000 USD).

Hong Kong, Mercantile Bank of India, Limited 1948 500 Dollars graded PMG 35 Choice Very Fine Click images to enlarge.

Meanwhile, another Spink sale features Hong Kong Banknotes of a Gentleman, a fascinating selection of vintage banknotes offered through January 9, 2022. To learn more about the rarities in this sale, click here.

Other PMG highlights in these sales include:

• a Hong Kong 1919-23 50 Dollars Specimen graded PMG 63 Choice Uncirculated (CCS73C, lot 5483), with an estimate of HK$200,000 to HK$350,000 (about $25,600 to $44,800 USD)
• a China, Ta-Ching Government Bank 1906 1 Dollar graded PMG 25 Very Fine (CCS73A, lot 2022), with an estimate of HK$150,000 to HK$200,000 (about $19,200 to $25,600 USD)
• a China / People’s Republic 1953 10 Yuan graded PMG 40 Extremely Fine (CCS73A, lot 2346), with an estimate of HK$160,000 to HK$200,000 (about $20,500 to $25,600 USD)
• a China 1922 100 Dollars Specimen graded PMG 63 Choice Uncirculated (CCS73A, lot 2175), with an estimate of HK$130,000 to HK$200,000 (about $16,600 to $25,600 USD)
• a Singapore ND (1980) 10,000 Dollars Specimen graded PMG 64 Choice Uncirculated (CCS73C, lot 5208), with an estimate of HK$100,000 to HK$200,000 (about $12,800 to $25,600 USD)
• a China, Yokohama Specie Bank, Limited 1917 100 Dollars graded PMG 53 About Uncirculated (CCS73A, lot 2178), with an estimate of HK$120,000 to HK$180,000 (about $15,300 to $23,000 USD)
• a China, Imperial Bank of China 1898 1 Tael graded PMG 63 Choice Uncirculated (CCS73A, lot 2014), with an estimate of HK$100,000 to HK$150,000 (about $12,800 to $19,200 USD)
• a Hong Kong, Mercantile Bank of India, Limited 1937 10 Dollars graded PMG 40 Extremely Fine (CCS73C, lot 5438), with an estimate of HK$100,000 to HK$150,000 (about $12,800 to $19,200 USD)
• a China 1930 500 Dollars Specimen graded PMG 63 Choice Uncirculated (CCS73A, lot 2144), with an estimate of HK$80,000 to HK$120,000 (about $10,200 to $15,300 USD)
• a China / People’s Republic 1949 100 Yuan graded PMG 64 Choice Uncirculated (CCS73A, lot 2298), with an estimate of HK$70,000 to HK$120,000 (about $8,900 to $15,300 USD)
• a British North Borneo / British Administration 1902-26 5 Dollars graded PMG 25 Very Fine (CCS73C, lot 5070), with an estimate of HK$70,000 to HK$100,000 (about $8,900 to $12,800 USD)
• a Hong Kong, Government of Hong Kong ND (1945) 1 Dollar on 1,000 Yen graded PMG 64 Choice Uncirculated (CCS73C, lot 5416), with an estimate of HK$70,000 to HK$100,000 (about $8,900 to $12,800 USD)
• a Hong Kong 1934 100 Dollars Specimen graded PMG 55 About Uncirculated (CCS73C, lot 5488), with an estimate of HK$70,000 to HK$100,000 (about $8,900 to $12,800 USD)
• a China / People’s Republic 1953 10 Yuan graded PMG 25 Very Fine (CCS73A, lot 2347), with an estimate of HK$65,000 to HK$100,000 (about $8,300 to $12,800 USD)
• a front and back pair of Hong Kong 1959-72 100 Dollars Printer’s Models graded PMG 63 Choice Uncirculated NET (CCS73C, lot 5616), with an estimate of HK$50,000 to HK$100,000 (about $6,400 to $12,800 USD)
• a Straits Settlements 1915 100 Dollars Printer’s Design graded PMG 64 Choice Uncirculated NET (CSS75, lot 4190), with an estimate of HK$50,000 to HK$100,000 (about $6,400 to $12,800 USD)
• a pair of Malaysia, Bank Negara ND (circa 1974) Printer’s Model (CSS75, lot 4076), with an estimate of HK$60,000 to HK$80,000 (about $7,600 to $10,200 USD)

All estimates are provided by the auction house.