Three 150-year-old banknotes bring $109k

As we've reported, Spink's sale of Chinese rare coins and collectible banknotes at the weekend had a surprise top lot in the form of a Kwangsi Bank 1 Yuan note, which easily outstripped its HK$80,000-120,000 estimate to fetch an extraordinary HK$860,000.

However, it was not the only piece to exceed its estimate.

The three banknotes we focused on before the sale: the 50, 100 and 500 Taels notes issued in 1860 all exceeded their estimates.

The three notes are all extremely fine. Two of the notes are black on lilac, whilst the 500 Taels piece has a dark yellow background.

Hong Kong 100 Taels banknote 1860
100 Taels banknote

The 50 Taels note was expected to sell for HK$80,000-120,000 (up to US$15,500), the 100 Taels note was estimated at HK$100,000-150,000 (up to US$19,400) and the 500 at HK$120,000-180,000 (up to US$23,200).

In the event, the 50 Taels note brought HK$180,000 (US$23,200), the 100 Taels piece fetched HK$190,000 (US$24,400) and the 500 specimen an impressive HK$380,000 (US$48,900).

A never issued, green coloured 5 Taels note also exceeded its HK$80,000-120,000 range to bring HK$160,000 (US$20,600). Notaphily is striving in Hong Kong and China.

 

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