International Coins & Notes Lead Sale

The Coins, Tokens and Banknotes Sale on 9^th August saw a strong showing all round with a very strong selling rate of 98%. However, it was the international coins and banknotes in the sale that saw particularly notable results, after competitive bidding from both the UK and abroad. The strongest performers were the Chinese and Russian banknotes and coins, which achieved hammer prices significantly above estimate.

Highlights of the international section of the sale were led by a group of early 20^th century China/Russian Far East Assorted Harbin Local Issue Notes, which sold for £4,000 (all figures exclude buyer’s premium). Harbin in North East China had a very large Russian population between the late 19^th and mid-20^th century, having been settled during the building of the Russian-constructed Chinese Eastern Railway. The notes included those issued by the Harbin Municipal Government, as well as private issues, local issues, vouchers from the Chinese Eastern Railway Company, Russian share certificates and restaurant coupons. Also selling for £4,000, was a selection of high denomination issues and promissory notes from the Tung Pei Bank of China, and a further selection of notes from the same bank sold for £1,850, both issued in the 1940s.

Further notable results in the international section included a USA ‘Classic Head’ Cent, 1908 (sold for £1,500), a group of fifteen Soviet Union Assorted Coins, all dating from the early years of the Soviet Union sold for £1,500), a China, Empire, Dollar 1908 (sold for £1,900) and a China, 20 Cents, 1926 (sold for £1,000).

There were pleasing results, too, for the British coins on offer, with a Charles II, Guinea 1683 selling for £2,800, and a George V, Proof Crown 1935 selling for £1,100. Finally, the token section of the auction exceeded expectations, and the high-grade condition of most of the lots on offer was reflected in some strong bidding. Highlights included a Shropshire, Willey and Snedshill, Three Shillings and Sixpence 1788, which sold for £1,000.

The sale achieved a total hammer price of £153,790 for 441 lots offered, and a 98% sold rate, and consignments are currently invited for the next Coins, Tokens and Banknotes Sale in November.

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