Rare PMG-certified Chinese Banknotes Offered in Heritage Auctions Sale

Two rare banknotes that reflect a changing China in the 1940s are featured in the World Paper Money Showcase sale presented by Heritage Auctions. Online bidding is already underway for these notes and nearly 300 other banknotes certified by Paper Money Guaranty® (PMG®) that are part of the auction on April 3, 2022.

One of the most fascinating banknotes in the sale is a Hong Kong, Government of Hong Kong ND (1945) 1 Dollar on 1,000 Yen graded PMG 64 Choice Uncirculated (lot 89260) that has an estimate of $7,000 and up. This unissued 1 Dollar note was printed over a Japanese Yen, reflecting the change of government after the occupying forces left Hong Kong and the region was returned to the British.

Hong Kong, Government of Hong Kong ND (1945) 1 Dollar on 1,000 Yen graded PMG 64 Choice Uncirculated Click images to enlarge.

Also in the spotlight is a China / People’s Republic 1949 1,000 Yuan graded PMG 64 Choice Uncirculated EPQ (lot 89090), with an estimate of at least $2,500. This note is one of the first examples of paper money printed by the new government that emerged in 1949 after the Chinese Civil War. It displays industrial and agricultural scenes on the front, along with a large ship on the back.

China / People’s Republic 1949 1,000 Yuan graded PMG 64 Choice Uncirculated EPQ Click images to enlarge.

Other PMG-certified highlights in the sale include:

• a China, Checkiang Provincial Government Bonds 1912 1 Dollar graded PMG 30 Very Fine (lot 89156), with an estimate of at least $6,000
• a China / Empire 1368-99 Ming Dynasty 1 Kuan graded PMG 40 Extremely Fine (lot 89006), with an estimate of at least $5,000
• a Viet Nam - South, National Bank ND (1955-56) 1,000 Dong Specimen graded PMG 50 About Uncirculated (lot 89300), with an estimate of at least $5,000
• a China / Empire 1368-99 Ming Dynasty 1 Kuan graded PMG 25 Very Fine (lot 89007), with an estimate of at least $3,500
• a China, Chung Hwa Republic ND (circa 1896) 10 Dollars graded PMG 55 About Uncirculated EPQ (lot 89202), with an estimate of at least $2,500
• a China / People’s Republic 1949 1 Yuan graded PMG 66 Gem Uncirculated EPQ (lot 89088), with an estimate of at least $2,000
• a Hong Kong, Government of Hong Kong 1941 1 Dollar on 5 Yuan graded PMG 45 Choice Extremely Fine EPQ (lot 89259), with an estimate of at least $2,000

All estimates are provided by the auction house in US Dollars.