The Stack’s Bowers & Ponterio August Hong Kong Showcase Auction
achieved some stellar results, especially the modern Chinese coin session. Coins
in the Panda series have enjoyed more than three decades of numismatic success.
This recent auction continued that trend, including a rare low mintage twelve ounce gold
issue from 1992 that realized $45,600. The mintage for this large
gold coin is just 99 pieces, with this example having serial #76. The obverse
design features an idyllic scene of three pandas idling by a stream, foliage
and bamboo stalks surround the bears. The denomination and metallic content
appear in the upper field: “1000 Yuan / .999 Au 12 oz.” The reverse
design includes the upper Chinese inscription stating: “People’s Republic of
China,” and below the design the date of issue, 1992. Between these legends is
a detailed and magnificent view of the Temple of Heaven. Inside is the “Hall of
Prayer for Good Harvests” which is aptly named, as the Ming and Qing dynasty
emperors would enter this building at the winter solstice to beseech the gods
for a bountiful harvest. This large Panda certainly drew considerable attention
at the auction block in Hong Kong.
We are currently accepting consignments of Chinese and other Asian coins
and currency for our April 2018 Hong Kong Showcase Auction. In addition to
this, we are taking consignments of world and ancient coins as well as world
paper money for our October 2017 Collectors Choice Online Auction and the January
2018 New York International Auction. Time is running short, so if you are
interested in consigning your coins and paper currency (whether a whole
collection or a single rarity) be sure to contact one of our consignment
directors.
