Certified by the Numismatic Guaranty Corporation (NGC), a Chinese 1910 Yunnan Silver Dollar realized an incredible $660,000 USD at the Heritage Auctions on June 12, 2020. Commonly known as a “Spring Dollar”, this is one of the greatest rarities in Chinese numismatics. It also fetched one of the highest prices ever paid for one.
Containing the Chinese characters that show a date of Spring 1910, it is the only Chinese coin featuring the season as part of its date. The coin was possibly struck to commemorate the completion of an important rail line that connected the mountainous Yunnan region with their neighboring Vietnam.
This coin previously realized $546,250 at a Heritage sale in 2001 and is the finest of three known examples. This specific coin is graded NGC AU58 and pedigreed to the Norman Jacobs Collection of Asian coins.
“We are thrilled that this NGC-certified Spring Dollar set the record for the most valuable Chinese coin ever sold by Heritage Auctions,” said Cris Bierrenbach, Executive Vice President of International Numismatics for Heritage Auctions.
“The fact that this occurred during a time when many bidders were unable to view the coin in person speaks volumes about the benefits of NGC certification.”
Based on other recent auction, this coin underscores the growing demand for NGC-certified Chinese coins. An NGC-certified 1897 Szechuan Ferracute Pattern Set realized $1,020,000 US during the Heritage Auctions sale in December of 2019.
This ten-coin set far exceeded the record for a single lot of Asian numismatic rarities at a Heritage auction.
“We are honored that bidders trust NGC so much that they will pay $660,000 for an NGC-certified coin based only on its grade, description and images,” said Mark Salzberg, NGC Chairman and Grading Finalizer.
“Bidders can rest assured that every coin is graded by a world-class team and backed by a comprehensive guarantee of authenticity and grade.”
The Norman Jacobs Collection also added another coin to their pedigree is a Thailand (1877) Silver 2 Baht graded NGC PF 62. This particular coin realized $78,000 USD, far above estimates. This coin shows Rama V, the fifth monarch of Siam under the House of Chakri, early in his 42-year reign.
The pre-auction estimate for this coin was between $10,000 and $20,000 USD.
Another coin that surpassed its pre-auction estimate was a 1904 Hupeh L&M-181 Tael that was graded NGC MS 63. Initial estimates were between $50,000 and $60,000 USD, but the coin realized $105,000 USD.
Other auction highlights included:
- a China 1916 L&M-945 Silver Dollar graded NGC MS 63that realized $78,000 USD
- a China 1993 Yin & Yang Philosophy 5 oz Silver 50 Yuan graded NGC PF 68 Ultra Cameo and China 1993 Yin & Yang Philosophy 5 oz Gold 500 Yuan graded NGC PF 69 Ultra Cameo(two-piece set) that realized $69,000 USD
- a China 1914 Silver Dollar graded NGC MS 62that realized $60,000 USD
- a China 1982 Marco Polo 100 Yuan Brass Pattern graded NGC PF 68 Ultra Cameothat realized $60,000 USD
- a China (1916) Bronze Pattern Cent graded NGC MS 63 RBthat realized $52,800 USD
- a China 1920 Anhwei Army 31.5 mm Gold Medal graded NGC MS 62that realized $52,800 USD
- a Vietnam – Annam (1841-47) SCH-243 Thieu Tri 5 Tien graded NGC MS 65that realized $52,800 USD.
Prices realized include buyer’s premium.
