Rare PMG-certified Vintage Chinese Banknote Realizes Over $200,000 in Spink Auction

A rare Chinese banknote certified by Paper Money Guaranty® (PMG®) realized over HK$1.8 million (about $232,500 USD) in a Spink currency sale held on June 5, 2022. Spirited bidding took place for this banknote and other PMG-certified rarities, which also achieved incredible results.

The China / People’s Republic 1951 5,000 Yuan graded PMG 35 Choice Very Fine EPQ (CSS78A, lot 2415) is the only example designated with Exceptional Paper Quality (EPQ) out of the 85 issues recorded in the PMG Population Report. This rural-themed note displays a vignette of a shepherd with a flock of sheep in the Chinese countryside.

China / People’s Republic 1951 5,000 Yuan graded PMG 35 Choice Very Fine EPQ Realized: HK$1.8 million (about $232,500 USD) Click images to enlarge.

Other PMG-certified highlights in the sessions included:

• a China / Empire Ming Dynasty 1368-99 1 Kuan graded PMG 50 About Uncirculated EPQ (CSS78A, lot 2015) that realized HK$600,000 (about $76,400 USD)
• a China / People’s Republic 1948 50 Yuan graded PMG 40 Extremely Fine EPQ (CSS78A, lot 2337) that realized HK$516,000 (about $65,700 USD)
• a China / People’s Republic 1953 3 Yuan graded PMG 65 Gem Uncirculated EPQ (CSS78A, lot 2432) that realized HK$480,000 (about $61,200 USD)
• a Hong Kong, Hong Kong & Shanghai Banking Corporation 1900-02 10 Dollars graded PMG 35 Choice Very Fine (CSS78D, lot 5747) that realized HK$360,000 (about $45,900 USD)
• a Hong Kong, Hong Kong & Shanghai Banking Corporation 1904-05 10 Dollars graded PMG 30 Very Fine and pedigreed to The Northern Collection (CSS78D, lot 5748) that realized HK$312,000 (about $39,700 USD)
• a China / People’s Republic 1949 20 Yuan graded PMG 66 Gem Uncirculated EPQ (CSS78A, lot 2369) that realized HK$300,000 (about $38,200 USD)
• a Hong Kong, Hong Kong & Shanghai Banking Corporation 1935-37 500 Dollars graded PMG 35 Choice Very Fine EPQ (CSS78D, lot 5867) that realized HK$264,000 (about $33,600 USD)
• a China, Bank of China 1913 100 Dollars Specimen graded PMG 66 Gem Uncirculated EPQ (CSS78A, lot 2089) that realized HK$228,000 (about $29,000 USD)
• a Hong Kong, Government of Hong Kong ND (1945) 10 Dollars on 5,000 Yuan graded PMG 50 About Uncirculated (CSS78D, 5612) that realized HK$180,000 (about $22,900 USD)
• a Ukraine / German Occupation WWII 1941 5 Chervontsiv graded PMG 30 Very Fine (CSS78D, lot 5370) that realized HK$168,000 (about $21,400 USD)

All prices realized include buyer’s premium. The $ symbol represents US Dollars.