PMG-graded Note Leads the Way in Spink Hong Kong Auction

A PMG-graded banknote led the way in Spink's "Banknotes, Bonds & Shares and Coins of China and Hong Kong, China" auction, held at the Hua Fu Commercial Building in Hong Kong January 19-20, 2018. Here are the PMG-graded highlights from the auction:

1935 Mercantile Bank of India $50, Pick 240a, graded PMG 58 Choice About Uncirculated. Realized: HK$460,000 ($58,000 USD) Click image to enlarge. (Images courtesy of Spink)

• Lot 1794 - The Mercantile Bank of India: 1935 $50, Pick 240a, graded PMG 58 Choice About Uncirculated. Price realized: HK$460,000 ($58,000 USD), which was the top price realized in the auction, and well above its pre-auction estimate of HK$280,000 to HK$340,000.


• Lot 1916 - The Chartered Bank: 1982 $1,000, Pick 81b, serial number B777777, graded PMG 66 Gem Uncirculated EPQ. Price realized: HK$220,000, more than double its pre-auction estimate of HK$80,000 to HK$100,000.
• Lot 1810 - Mercantile Bank Limited: 1959 $500 Specimen, Pick 243s, serial number 0000, graded PMG 55 About Uncirculated. Price realized: HK$220,000, double its pre-auction estimate of HK$100,000 to HK$120,000.
• Lot 1793 - Mercantile Bank of India: 1912-1930 $50 Specimen, Pick 238cts, graded PMG 64 Choice Uncirculated EPQ. Price realized: HK$210,000, more than double its pre-auction estimate of HK$80,000 to HK$100,000.
• Lot 1629 (5 notes) - Hong Kong & Shanghai Banking Corporation: 1997 $20, $50, $100, $500 and $1,000, Picks 201c, 202c, 203b, 204c, 205b, serial number AA 222222, graded PMG 66 Gem Uncirculated or 67 Superb Gem Unc EPQ. Price realized: HK$200,000, in line with the pre-auction estimate.
• Lot 1731 - The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation: 1930 $500, Pick 177b, graded PMG 58 Choice About Uncirculated. Price Realized: HK$170,000, which beat its pre-auction estimate of HK$130,000 to HK$150,000.
• Lot 405 - The Mercantile Bank of India: 1930 $50, cancelled, Pick S444sp, graded PMG 65 Gem Uncirculated EPQ. Price Realized: HK$150,000, triple its pre-auction estimate of HK$40,000 to HK$50,000.
• Lot 1895 - The Chartered Bank: 1977 $500, Pick 72d, graded PMG 65 Gem Uncirculated EPQ. Price Realized: HK$150,000, in line with its pre-auction estimate.