Tennants Auctioneers’ Coins & Banknotes Sale on 7th May will feature a diverse selection of lots to cater to various interests. The sale includes an impressive section of ancient coins, several high-grade British milled issues, and a strong assortment of gold and silver coins.
A sale highlight and a rarity in the banknote section is a Chinese note from The Yue Soo Imperial Bank, dated September 1st, 1908, for one silver dollar. While this note is recorded (Pick S1232 var.), it is a rare variety with a colour scheme not typically seen and does not feature a Western serial number. Although well circulated, this note is extremely rare and is also estimated to sell for £1,500 to £2,500 (all figures exclude buyer’s premium). An identical note was sold at a Shanghai auction house (Shanghai Yangming Auction Co., 2014 Autumn Auction, December 7, 2014, lot 57), with the catalogue indicating that one example is housed in the collection of the Shanghai Museum and that their example will be the first of its kind offered at public auction. It is possible that this could be the second.
Additional highlights of the sale include an extremely fine George III Guinea dated 1799, estimated at £1,500-1,800, and a George I Half Guinea dated 1719, estimated at £500-700. There will also be several high-quality Roman sestertii and other Roman coins from a small but well-curated collection. These coins span the history of the Roman Empire, starting with a Roman Republic denarius and extending to later Empire folles.
The modern section is headlined by a rare 1983 Two-Pence Mule (estimate: £500-700), which reads ‘New Pence’ instead of ‘Two-Pence.’ These coins were only found in brilliant uncirculated sets issued that year, making them extremely rare. Additionally, the modern section will feature an extensive selection of gold and silver sets from the Royal Mint.
The sale will be on view at Tennants in Leyburn on Tuesday 6th May.
