Heritage World Coin Auctions
Hong Kong Signature Currency Sale 3546 23 June 2016
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World Currency
China Kwangsi Bank $1 1909 (Year 2) Pick S2345. For all collectors waiting tonight, this is it: the "Black Dragon" note issued by the Kwangsi Bank. Two black dragons flank a detailed effigy of a Kwangsi issued Dollar. Circulation of this note paled against those issued by foreign banks at the time or by neighboring and more prosperous Kwangtung (through the Kwangtung Currency Bureau - which featured a similar style as these notes were all printed in Japan), and conflicting reports state only one hundred thousand or two hundred thousand notes were delivered. What is known is that there is only three of this denomination extant. And one of this note's brothers set the world record back in 2010, realizing $990,000 Hong Kong Dollars (US$127,249) in what has claimed to be a "frenzy" of bidding. We expect that frenzy again tonight as we present - the first time in modern history by a western auction company - both the $1 Black Dragon and its higher denomination sibling together in one session. PCGS Apparent Fine 12, restorations.
Estimate: 100000-140000 USD
China Kwangsi Bank $1 1909 (Year 2) Pick S2345. For all collectors waiting tonight, this is it: the "Black Dragon" note issued by the Kwangsi Bank. Two black dragons flank a detailed effigy of a Kwangsi issued Dollar. Circulation of this note paled against those issued by foreign banks at the time or by neighboring and more prosperous Kwangtung (through the Kwangtung Currency Bureau - which featured a similar style as these notes were all printed in Japan), and conflicting reports state only one hundred thousand or two hundred thousand notes were delivered. What is known is that there is only three of this denomination extant. And one of this note's brothers set the world record back in 2010, realizing $990,000 Hong Kong Dollars (US$127,249) in what has claimed to be a "frenzy" of bidding. We expect that frenzy again tonight as we present - the first time in modern history by a western auction company - both the $1 Black Dragon and its higher denomination sibling together in one session. PCGS Apparent Fine 12, restorations.
Estimate: 100000-140000 USD