Held on the 27th August at the Holiday Inn Golden Mile, Kowloon, Hong Kong, the 47th Hong Kong Coin Auction got of to a sensational start with lot 1 (pictured above) selling for a record breaking US$19,000, well above its estimate of US$800-1,000. Arguably the oldest known banknote this example of the Ming Dynasty 1-Kuan was one of the most viewed lots in the sale. Attracting a great deal of interest the rarity of this note was inevitably reflected in the realised figure which has set a new benchmark for the highest price achieved at auction.

An exceptional section of Chinese Orders and Decorations ensued, with strong bidding pushing prices up to 4 times high end estimates and every single one of the 129 lots selling. There was an air of excitement in the auction room and the competitive nature of the bidding signified that these lots were the best of their type to be sold at auction for many years. The highlights of the section were numerous but stand out items included lot 285, a stunning grade 3 of class 1 medal of the Order of the Double Dragon, awarded for outstanding services to the throne of the Emperor of China which realised US$95,000 and lot 288 a Type 1, Fifth Class breast badge of the Order of the Double Dragon which attained US$100,000 against a pre-sale estimate of US$20,000 – 25,000.

Both the Indian banknote and Indian coin sections of the auction were highly successful with strong room bidding and very few unsold lots. Lot 1268 was amongst the most successful, a 1941 Faridkot, Raja Harindar Singh Silver Rupee that achieved a staggering US$2,600, against its pre-sale estimate of US$500-800. The banknote and stamp sections of the sale in general received a mixed response but the group remain positive that there is a prospective market for philatelic material at future auction events.

An important European collection of Chinese coins, entitled ‘The Viking Collection’ formed the central part of the sale. Consigned by a vendor that wished to remain anonymous the 267 lots were, in the main, purchased by Chinese nationals. With 82% of lots selling the provenance of this collection was undoubtedly a significant factor in the high prices realised. Elsewhere in the Coin section lot 952, an exceedingly rare Heaton Birmingham mint Silver Pattern Proof Dollar with beautiful toning sold for US$92,000. The coin was a ‘must have’ for any serious Chinese collection and it travelled with companion pieces (lots 935 and 942): a Silver Piedfort Proof 10-Cents and 20-Cents coin also from the Heaton mint which realised US$17,000 and US$24,000 respectively.

Some of the more unique pieces in the sale included lot 412, an oval enamelled medallion, made for Tongsham Freemasonary Lodge in China in Birmingham, UK which achieved US$6,500 against an estimate of US$1,500-2,000. Lot 445 an incredibly rare Southern song Gold Leaf 1-Tael, a piece never seen before by our specialists which achieved US$6,000. Lot 1190, a 1956 Burmese Proof Set depicting the mythical creature the Chinthe (half dog, half lion) The fact that this proof set was struck at the wrong mint made them a very rare and valuable lot which was reflected in the realised price of US$1,100, double the pre-sale estimate.

For the first time a live video stream was broadcast over the internet in real time through services provided by www.the-saleroom.com and bidders were given the opportunity to see the auctioneers in action as well as bid online for lots as usual. The platform performed well with 67 remote bidders joining a packed auction room to bid on items selling online for as much as US$19,000 (Lot 444). Strong underbidding from internet activity contributed to the high achieving prices of many items.

For more information about any of the other lots in the sale please contact Seth Freeman on +44 (0)20 79309808 or at seth@baldwin.co.uk .

For press enquiries please contact Caroline Newton on +44 (0)20 79309808 or at carolinenewton@baldwin.co.uk.

SALE HIGHLIGHTS

Lot 1 Ming Dynasty ?? (1368-1644): 1-Kuan, c.1368 ????, issued by Emperor Hong Wu, made of mulberry
paper, 223mm x 344mm (P AA10). Good very fine with nice edges.

Estimate: US$800-1,000
Realised: US$19,000

Lot 285 Order of the Double Dragon ????????, Type 1 (1882-98), First Class, Third Grade neck badge, in
silver-gilt and enamels, of a type apparently unofficial or transitional, smooth coral set at centre of upper sunburst
device, unofficial riband. Good very fine, very rare.

Estimate: US$40,000-50,000
Realised: US$95,000

Lot 288 Order of the Double Dragon , Type 1, Fifth Class breast badge, in silver-gilt and enamels, central pearl
both sides, 44mm, incorrect riband. About extremely fine, extremely rare.

Estimate: US$20,000-25,000
Realised: US$100,000

Lot 412 Freemasonry in Xuzhou: Tongshan Lodge 3001 E.C. (East China), Gold and Enamel Jewel named to
Worshipful Brother Frank Sugden “in appreciation of hisvaluable services to the Lodge 1925-26”, oval enamel
medallion of steam locomotive passing through the Great Wall of China, the Chinese flag flying above, below a
shield shaped enamel on a cross patté depicting an English industrial scene and British flag, suspended below a
set square, 15ct Gold, by Spencer & Co, London. Superb quality, as issued, in original maker’s case, extremely rare.

sold with Frank Sugden’s commission as District Grand Steward and some related letters. The Tongshan Lodge 3001 was founded in 1925.
Western and in particular British interests were very active at this time in China developing the coal mines and the railways. The British
established a Railway and Mining School in Tongshan (Zuzhou) at this time.

Estimate: US$1,500-2,000
Realised: US$6,500

Lot 444 Jin Dynasty (1115-1279 AD): Silver 100-Tael Sycee, inscribed (1161), gourd-shaped, triangular, semi-
circular, circular and cross-like countermarks in field, 4,065g. Very fine and extremely rare.

Estimate: US$12,000-15,000
Realised: US$19,000

Lot 445 Coins. China – Sycees. Southern Song (1127-1279 AD): Gold Leaf 1-Tael, a complete sheet of ten leaves
folded like an accordion, stamped, 38.5g, 37mm x 92mm. Fine and rare.

Estimate: US$3,000-4,000
Realised: US$6,000

Lot 1190 Coins. China – Myanmar (Burma). Burma: Proof Set 1956, comprising Copper 1-Pya, CuNi 5-, 10-, 25-
and 50-Pyas, 1-Kyat (KM PS3). Mint state, in British Royal Mint envelopes as issued. (5pcs)

Estimate: US$400-500
Realised: US$1,100

Lot 1268 Faridkot, Raja Harindar Singh (1918-49): Silver Rupee, 1941. In NGC holder graded MS61, very rare.

Estimate: US$500-800
Realised: US$2,600

NOTES TO THE EDITOR:

• Buyers Premium for this sale was set at 15%
• Total realised hammer for the sale was US$1,798,074 (including Buyers Premium)
• The Hong Kong Coin Auction is held twice annually in conjunction with the Hong Kong International Coin Convention and Antique Watch Fair and is organised by Ma Tak Wo Numismatic Co. Ltd and A.H. Baldwin & Sons Ltd.
• A.H. Baldwin & Sons have been holding auctions in Singapore and Hong Kong with local partners since 1993 and this will be the 32nd auction they have held together.
• Baldwin’s auction department hold between ten and twelve sales annually in London, New York and Hong Kong and specialise in all areas of Numismatics.
• Online live auction broadcasting is provided by ATG MEDIA LTD: ATG Media Ltd are the publishers of the Antiques Trade Gazette, the weekly antiques bible for trade and collectors.

Posted: 09|26|09 at 8:40 am. Filed under: Auction News.