HONG KONG, China – More than 370 lots of rare and highly collectible Chinese and Asian banknotes, coins and scripophily (stock and bond certificates) will be sold at public auction on Saturday, Jan. 10, by Archives International Auctions (based in Fort Lee, N.J.) in Hong Kong, at no earlier than 5 p.m. Hong Kong local time. People may go online to bid now, at www.ArchivesInternational.com.

The sale will feature live gallery bidding, phone, absentee and live internet bidding. Previews in the U.S. are by appointment only. Viewing in Hong Kong begins on Wednesday, Jan. 7, and runs through Jan. 9, at the offices of Kelleher & Rogers, Fine Asian Auctions, one of Hong Kong’s premier philatelic auction houses. Check the Archives International website for viewing times.

“We’re very excited to be going back to Hong Kong so soon after our September auction,” said Dr. Robert Schwartz, President of Archives International Auctions. “Collectors, investors and dealers have been aggressively pursuing fairly estimated properties offered without unrealistic reserves. We anticipate that this auction will please the beginning to advanced collector or dealer.”

Featured lots will include two discovery notes, both possible one-of-a-kinds: a 1907 Deutsch-Asiatische Bank, Peking Branch $1 banknote in issued condition previously only known as a specimen; and a 1948, Mercantile Bank of India, (Hong Kong issue) $500 specimen banknote, PMG graded Choice Uncirculated 64 with none graded previously or offered at auction before.

The auction will also include 47 lots of Chinese and Asian scripophily, with highlights including a Deutsch-Asiatische Bank, 1900, 1000 Shanghai-Taels rarity; a Republic of China, 1919 note (reissued, with 1939 coupons added) by ABNC; numerous 1913 reorganization bonds from different issuers and denominations; and many other interesting and scarce scripophily items.

The more than 250 lots of rare and desirable banknotes will begin with a 1972-1988 Government of Brunei, 1 Ringgit color trial specimen tied with just one other as the finest known in the PMG census; a Ming Dynasty circulating note (circa 1368-1399) in very fine condition and the earliest paper money issue available to collectors; and five different Ch’ing Banknotes (circa1854-1859).

There will be numerous lots offered from the Bank of China, Bank of Communications and the Central Bank of China, from hard-to-find individual rarities to large group lots; an outstanding Hunan Government Bank 1906 error (saying 5 “Teals” instead of the correct spelling “Taels”); and provincial bank offerings, represented by more than 30 lots, including many desirable notes.

Chinese military-related notes will also be in the auction. An example is a 1936, $10 Chung Hwa Republic, military issue. Hong Kong will also be represented with more than 25 lots, including a Mercantile Bank of India 1948 $500 high grade specimen. Additional banknotes will be offered from Japan, Malaya, Indonesia, Macau and other countries, representing multiple continents.

Over 60 lots of Chinese and Asian coins will include China (Empire and Republic issues), Hong Kong, Japan and the Straits Settlements. Highlights will include a 1932 “Birds over Junk” in AU condition; group lots of China and Japan from an old, lifetime collection; “The Hamtramck Collection”, assembled from the 1940’s to the 1980’s by a U.S. Army officer during his travels around the world, and an old Connecticut estate that has been off the market for over 30 years.

The catalog is presently online at Archives International Auctions’ website and can be viewed through the firm’s live bidding platform, or as a virtual catalog or a downloadable PDF. To pre-register for live internet bidding, you may log on to the AIA website (www.ArchivesInternational.com). Archives International Auctions is finishing up the catalog for their next big U.S. and Worldwide Banknote, Coin and Scripophily Auction, slated for sometime in February 2015 in Fort Lee, N.J.

Archives International Auctions is constantly looking for Chinese, U.S. and worldwide banknotes, coins, scripophily, stamps, postal history, autographs and historic ephemera and documents for future auctions, or to buy outright. To sell or consign one piece or an entire collection, you may call AIA at (201) 944-4800; or you can send them an e-mail at info@archivesinternational.com.

To learn more about Archives International Auctions and the upcoming Jan. 10 auction in Hong Kong, or about their upcoming 2015 auction schedule, visit www.ArchivesInternational.com.

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