FORT LEE, N.J. – More than 740 lots of Chinese, Asian & worldwide banknotes, scripophily (stock and bond certificates), security printing ephemera and coins will be sold at a two-session public auction on Monday, September 26th, by Archives International Auctions, in the firm’s offices at 1580 Lemoine Avenue in Fort Lee. The auction will start promptly at 10:30 am Eastern time.

The sale will offer a considerable variety of rare banknotes and scripophily with many desirable items that are rarely offered at auction. For those unable to attend in person, online bidding will be offered via www.archivesinternational.com. Phone and absentee bids will also be accepted.

“We expect this to be an exciting auction due to the considerable number of rare banknotes that we're offering,” said Dr. Robert Schwartz, president of Archives International Auctions. “Many of these notes were obtained in the early 1960’s to 1980’s and haven't seen the light of day since. We're fortunate that these superb collections are finally being let go by their long term owners.”

Session I, beginning at 10:30 am, will feature 266 lots, 190 of which are highly desirable, Chinese banknotes and scripophily. Session II, to start no earlier than 2:30 pm, will comprise of the rest of the world, beginning with rare banknotes from Colombia and ending with notes from Zambia.

Highlights will include a Chinese “Ming” banknote dating from the 1360’s, one of the earliest examples of printed currency known; a fabulous collection of Hong Kong & Shanghai Banking Corporation specimen and issued banknotes from an old Canadian estate, all very high grade; and a pair of rare and visually arresting Chinese Russo-Asiatic Bank and Russo-Chinois banknotes.

The session will continue with the final offering of rare and colorful Shanghai private scrip notes from an estate find in Denver, Colorado; a new find of Chinese specimen banknotes from the German printer G&D, consisting  of a set of 1925 Ningpo Commercial Bank specimens; and an amazing Sino-Belgian Bank $10 Mexican Dollars specimen that is possibly unique in its format.

Worldwide banknotes will be highlighted by a pair of circa 1890’s British North Borneo Company banknotes; a 1935 Canadian Banque Du Canada, $25 Commemorative note with a low Serial Number (F000008); a unique Republic of Chile 1898 Provisional Issue discovery note; and other rarities.

Colombia will be represented by a number of rare and desirable lots, including a Banco Nacional 1899 Provisional Issue rarity; a spectacular $5 specimen from the National Bank of the Danish West Indies; a lovely Government of Newfoundland, $1 1920 issued banknote; and other rarities.

Additional highlights will include a Bermuda Monetary Authority rarity from 2007 of a $2 denomination that was never supposed to be released into circulation, with part of one pack released by accident; a circa 1880s-1890s El Santo Domingo Ferro Carril Central local railroad scrip issue; and a Bank of Ethiopia, 1922 Issue 500 Thalers banknote, one of the finest known.   

Previews will be held Wednesday thru Friday, Sept. 21-23, from 10-5, and on Monday, Sept. 26 and by appointment at AIA’s offices in Fort Lee. For an appointment call (201) 944-4800 or email info@archivesinternational.com. Also, check the AIA website for additional information.

The online catalog for the September 26th  auction is on Archives International Auctions’ website and can be viewed via the Archives International Live bidding platform. It can also be viewed as a Virtual Catalog  or as a downloadable .pdf.  To pre-register for live event internet bidding, you may log on to the Archives International Auctions website, at www.ArchivesInternational.com.

Archives International Auctions will conduct two additional sales this year, in October and December. These will include U.S. and worldwide banknotes, scripophily, coins, and security printing ephemera.  AIA is the exclusive auctioneer for the Wall Street Collectors Bourse, an event that features coins, currency and scripophily at the Museum of American Finance in New York City. This year's Bourse will be held on October 21-23, with Session I to be held at the MOAF on Saturday, October 22nd and Session II at AIA’s offices in Fort Lee on Tuesday, October 25th.

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

You may also write to Archives International Auctions, at 1580 Lemoine Ave., Suite #7, Fort Lee, NJ 07024 U.S.A.. To learn more about Archives International Auctions and the auctions planned for Sept. 26th and October and December, log on to www.ArchivesInternational.com.