Stack’s Bowers and Ponterio is pleased to announce that our August 2015 Hong Kong Auction Catalog is now available online. A casual look through the catalog reveals a cornucopia of offerings, not only from China, but also from all of Southeast Asia as well.
Last week’s blog dealt primarily with vintage Chinese coinage. This week, we take a closer look at the Modern Chinese offerings in the upcoming sale, with an eye toward rarity. As previously discussed, the Modern Chinese Coin session begins with a rare 1982 Panda pattern, predating the issuance of the first Panda bullion coins, and with a reverse design that was never adopted for Panda production. The fact that we have never previously handled an example speaks volumes about the rarity of the piece.
Much like the first lot, the next lot in the section is also a 1982 Panda pattern, but with a Temple of Heaven reverse that was eventually adopted and used for production coinage. Taken together with the previous lot, these two coins are among the most important pieces from the formative years of modern Chinese coinage, and offer a degree of rarity that is unsurpassed.
As most collectors are already aware, given the success of the Panda series, condition has become the determining factor in assessing the rarity of many modern Chinese issues. There is an abundance of both Proof-69 and Mint State-69 coins included in the sale. Additionally, because of their size and the great cost at the time of issuance, many of the larger Panda coins are numerically rare in even less pristine condition, and their desirability is less a function of grade than their extremely limited availability.
In several instances, both large size and extraordinary high grade combine to produce coins that are highly sought after on both levels. This includes a number of the 5 ounce Panda gold coins in the sale, as well as some of the larger silver issues.
For those collectors who desire a greater degree of variation in the design of the coins they collect, special attention should be paid to the Lunar and Unicorn series in the auction. Both of these series are generously represented, and offer some compelling designs with attractive aesthetics. In addition, for those seeking to enlarge the scope of their collections, there is an abundance of specifically themed commemoratives in the sale (including medals issued for various coin shows) that are sure to please collectors looking for something different in modern Chinese coinage.
Preview these impressive lots along with the rest of our auction this August at the Stack’s Bowers and Ponterio office located in Irvine, California and in our Hong Kong office. For details please refer to the Events Calendar link at www.StacksBowers.com. To schedule an appointment, please call 800.458.4646.
While our Stack’s Bowers and Ponterio August Hong Kong Showcase Auction is closed for further consignments, we are currently taking consignments of Asian, world and ancient coins for our December Hong Kong Showcase Auction of Asian coins and currency, November Baltimore and New York International auctions. Time is running short, so if you are interested in consigning your coins and paper currency (whether a whole collection or a single rarity) be sure to contact one of our consignment directors.
