Santa Ana, CA (August 13, 2019) -  Stack’s Bowers and Ponterio is excited to present their August Hong Kong Coin and Paper Money auction, August 19-22 in conjunction with the Hong Kong Coin Show (HKCS). This comprehensive sale features numerous Pan-Asian rarities and highlights comprising over 3,500 lots of coins, paper money, tokens and medals.

Figuring prominently in the coin sessions are many finely tuned collections, led by the impressive Mas Fera Collection. This important cabinet has been off the market for over 40 years and features some rather rare patterns as well as many other attractive specimens. Among collectors of early 20th century Chinese bronzes, the Charles E. Tanant Collection will attract a great deal of attention, while specialists will be piqued by the Christopher Greene Collection, which focuses extensively upon the coinage of Tibet and Nepal.

Of particular note among modern issues is a very rare 1500 Yuan (lot 50239) struck in 1989 and graded NGC PROOF-69 Ultra Cameo. This massive denomination contains 20 ounces of gold and commemorates the 40th Anniversary of the People’s Republic of China. Offered is number 57 from a limited issue of just 100 pieces, featuring a design of Chairman Mao addressing the nation, with various officials behind him and hot air balloons above. Also notable is an extremely rare Chinese Dollar Pattern (lot 52329) struck in a reduced module and certified as PCGS SPECIMEN-62 Gold Shield. Seldom appearing on the market, this ‘year 25’ (1936) trial exhibits a sharp strike and semi-reflective fields, accentuated by an attractive tone. It will be a prize in the finest of cabinets. Also memorable is an exceedingly rare Gold Piastre Pattern Restrike (lot 52514), graded PCGS SPECIMEN-60 Gold Shield. It is a wonderful piece—the key to the Cambodian series—and offers captivating detail, vibrant brilliance and a spectacular pedigree to the collection of King Farouk of Egypt.

Highlighting the paper money auction are several test notes from Beijing. In lot 60162 is offered a CHN 10 Yuan Test Note. This very scarce Gem 65EPQ piece from the Beijing Banknote Printing Company shows a well-detailed portrait of Confucius at right center. A watermark of Chairman Mao Zedong can be seen at left. This ultra-rare note is often missing from even the most famous collections of Chinese Banknotes, as just a few Beijing Test Notes of any type are ever available across any design or denomination.

Additionally, in lot 60166, one will find a remarkable uncut Test Note Pair from the 2008 Beijing Olympics. This Chengdu Banknote Printing Complex (CBPM) Test Note Uncut Pair is an exceptional and worthy addition to any collection of high value Chinese notes. In a Choice AU 58 holder, these notes, both absent of denomination, feature the same design, with the top note in blue and the bottom note in green.

Additional Hong Kong Highlights include:

Modern Chinese Coins:

• Lot 50171: CHINA. 1000 Yuan, 1994. Lunar Series, Year of the Dog. NGC PROOF-69 Ultra Cameo.

• Lot 50195: CHINA. 500 Yuan, 1994. Unicorn Series. NGC PROOF-69 Ultra Cameo.

• Lot 50198: CHINA. 500 Yuan, 1995. Unicorn Series. NGC PROOF-69 Ultra Cameo.

• Lot 50245: CHINA. Gold Kilo 2000 Yuan, 1995. Return of Taiwan to China. NGC PROOF-67 Ultra Cameo.

Chinese Provincial Coins:

• Lot 51002: CHINA. Anhwei. 3 Mace 6 Candareens (50 Cents), Year 24 (1898). PCGS MS-64 Gold Shield.

• Lot 51034: CHINA. Chihli (Pei Yang Arsenal). 50 Cents, Year 23 (1897). PCGS MS-64 Gold Shield.

• Lot 51099: CHINA. Fengtien. Dollar (7 Mace 2 Candareens), Year 24 (1898). NGC MS-65.

• Lot 51189: CHINA. Kiangnan. 7 Mace 2 Candareens (Dollar), ND (1897). PCGS Genuine–Cleaned, Unc Details Gold Shield.

• Lot 51337: CHINA. Kweichow. Auto Dollar, Year 17 (1928). PCGS AU-58 Gold Shield.

• Lot 51437: CHINA. Taiwan. "Old Man" Dollar, ND (1838-50). NGC AU-50.

Chinese Republic and World Coins:

• Lot 52123: CHINA. Silver Tael Pattern, CD (1906). Tientsin Mint. PCGS SPECIMEN-63 Gold Shield.

• Lot 52135: CHINA. Silver Long Whisker Dragon Dollar Pattern, Year 3 (1911). PCGS SPECIMEN-62 Gold Shield.

• Lot 52136: CHINA. Silver Reversed Dragon Dollar Pattern (Type II), Year 3 (1911). PCGS SPECIMEN-63+ Gold Shield.

• Lot 52300: CHINA. Silver "Mausoleum" Dollar Pattern, Year 16 (1927). PCGS MS-63 Gold Shield.

• Lot 52531: CAMBODIA. Gold Kilo 1000000 Riels, 2018. GEM BRILLIANT PROOF.

• Lot 52618: JAPAN. 20 Yen, Year 3 (1870). Meiji. PCGS MS-64+ Gold Shield.

World Paper Money:

• Lot 60137: CHINA–PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC. People’s Bank of China. 10,000 Yuan, 1951. P-858Aa. PMG Very Fine 25.

• Lot 60190: CHINA–FOREIGN BANKS. Chartered Bank of India, Australia & China. 100 Taels, ND (1885-1911). P-S199s. Specimen. PMG Very Fine 30 Net. Rust, Previously Mounted.

• Lot 60203: CHINA–FOREIGN BANKS. Deutsch-Asiatische Bank. 5 Tael, 1907. P-S280r. Remainder. PMG Choice Uncirculated 64.

• Lot 60354: INDIA. Government of India. 1000 Rupees, ND (1928). P-cf.12. PCGS GSG About Uncirculated 50 Details. Perforated.

Visit StacksBowers.com to view and bid on these highlights and the rest of the Stack’s Bowers Galleries August 2019 Hong Kong auction. For information on consigning to one of the firm’s upcoming auctions, call 1-800-458-4646 or visit StacksBowers.com/consign.

About Stack’s Bowers Galleries

Stack’s Bowers Galleries conducts live, Internet and specialized auctions of rare U.S. and world coins and currency and ancient coins, as well as direct sales through retail and wholesale channels. The company’s 80-year legacy includes the cataloging and sale of many of the most valuable United States coin and currency collections to ever cross an auction block — The D. Brent Pogue Collection, The John J. Ford, Jr. Collection, The Louis E. Eliasberg, Sr. Collection, The Harry W. Bass, Jr. Collection, The Norweb Collection, The Cardinal Collection and The Battle Born Collection — to name just a few. World coin and currency collections include The Louis E. Eliasberg, Sr. Collection of World Gold Coins, The Kroisos Collection, The Alicia and Sidney Belzberg Collection, The Wa She Wong Collection, The Guia Collection, The Thos. H. Law Collection, and The Robert O. Ebert Collection.

Topping off this amazing numismatic history is the inclusion of the world record for the highest price ever realized at auction for a rare coin, the 1794 Flowing Hair Silver Dollar graded Specimen-66 (PCGS) that realized over $10 million, part of their sale of the famed Cardinal Collection. The company is headquartered in Santa Ana, California, with offices in New York, Wolfeboro, Hong Kong, and Paris. Stack’s Bowers Galleries is an Official Auctioneer for several important numismatic conventions, including American Numismatic Association events, the New York International Numismatic Convention, the Whitman Coin & Collectibles Spring, Summer and Winter Expos, and its April and August Hong Kong Auctions.