PMG-graded Hong Kong Banknotes from the 1800s Featured in Spink Sale

Posted on 12/31/2020

The extremely rare notes offer an interesting window into the early days of the Chinese city.

Two fascinating and rare banknotes certified by Paper Money Guaranty® (PMG®) that date from the earliest years of British rule in Hong Kong, China are the top lots in a pair of Spink numismatic auctions. Bidding is already underway for the two sales, being held January 8-9, 2021.

British control of Hong Kong began in 1841, and the colony in southern China rapidly gained population. A Hong Kong, Oriental Bank Corporation ND (circa 1850s) 50 Dollars Proof graded PMG 63 Choice Uncirculated offers a glimpse into the formative years of what today is a global center of commerce with a population of over 7 million people.

Hong Kong, Oriental Bank Corp. ND (circa 1850s) 50 Dollars Proof graded PMG 63 Choice Uncirculated
Click images to enlarge.

The front of this incredibly rare note shows a lion and a unicorn, heraldry of the United Kingdom. To the left of the lion is the word VICTORIA, which was both the name of the British monarch at the time and the name of the city that served as the capital of the fledgling colony. This note has an estimate of HK$750,000 to HK$900,000 (about $97,000 USD to $116,000 USD).

Amazingly, the auction includes a second note from this same historic era: a Hong Kong ND (1858) 5 Dollars - Remainder graded PMG 58 Choice About Uncirculated. Bearing the name of the Mercantile Bank of India, London & China with the words HONG KONG BRANCH at the top of the front, this note is one of the earliest designed specifically for Hong Kong. It has an estimate of HK$500,000 to HK$750,000 (about $65,000 USD to $97,000 USD).

Hong Kong ND (1858) 5 Dollars - Remainder graded PMG 58 Choice About Uncirculated
Click images to enlarge.

Other PMG-certified highlights in the sales include:

All estimates are provided by the auction house.


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