CHINA

1
Imperial Bank of China, Shanghai, $1, 22 January 1898, (P.A51cts), uniface colour trial, no serial number or signature, water stained, small pinholes, PMG AU55. This lot has an undisclosed reserve.
SG$3,000 Up
Realised: SG$2,800

2
Bank of Communications, Tientsin, $10, 1 September 1912, (P.108c), serial no. 826056, hole cancelled, professional restoration of hole cancelled note, with holes refilled, PMG Choice VF35 NET. This lot has an undisclosed reserve.
SG$10,000 Up
Realised: SG$16,000

3
Central Bank of China, 50 Cents, ND (1931), (P.205), serial no. A 969935 F, PMG Gem UNC65 EPQ.
SG$450 Up
Realised: -

4
Central Bank of China, 50 Cents, ND (1931), (P.205), serial no. A 969951 F, PMG Choice AU58 EPQ.
SG$220 Up
Realised: -

5
Central Bank of China, 50 Cents, ND (1931), (P.205), serial no. A 969954 F, PMG Choice UNC64.
SG$350 Up
Realised: -

6
Chinese Revolutionary Governmnent, 100 Dollars or Piastres, 1906, (S/M#C257-1), serial nos. 099458 to 459, consecutive pair, both graded PMG Superb Gem UNC66 EPQ. These revolutionary notes were issued to raise funds for the cause of overthrowing the Imperial Qing government, and bear the signature of Sun Wen, better known as Dr. Sun Yat-Sen. Printed on French style paper, they tend to be problematic with tiny tears or splits. These superb gem examples do not suffer from those problems and are about as close to perfect as can be found. (2)
SG$12,000 Up
Realised: SG$10,500

7
Chartered Bank of India, Australia & China, Tientsin, $100, circa 1929 (19--), (P.S207r), remainder, no signature, serial number and overprints, body of note unaffected by issues in selvage, PMG Choice UNC64 EPQ. This lot has an undisclosed reserve.
SG$4,000 Up
Realised: SG$5,500

8
Chinese Engineering & Mining Co. Ltd., Tongshan, $1, 1 March 1902, (P.S246), serial no. A 10459, PMG Choice XF45. An attractive and strictly graded example of this oversized note with the counterfoil still attached.
SG$900 Up
Realised: -

9
Chinese Engineering & Mining Co. Ltd., Tongshan, $5, 1 March 1902, (P.S247), serial no. B 0725, PMG Choice VF35. Higher denomination notes from this issuer are quite rare. The red inkstamps and circulation testifies to this note actually having circulated.
SG$5,500 Up
Realised: -

10
Chinese Engineering & Mining Co. Ltd., Tongshan, $10, 1 March 1902, (P.S247Aa), serial no. C 0783, PMG XF40. Notes from this issuer gets progressively rarer the higher the denominations go. This is an attractive problem free example. This lot has an undisclosed reserve.
SG$7,000 Up
Realised: -

11
Chinese Engineering & Mining Co. Ltd., Tongshan, $20, 1 March 1902, (P.S247B), serial no. D 0154, pen annotations, PMG Choice VF35. A very rare high denomination note that has actually seen use. This lot has an undisclosed reserve.
SG$12,000 Up
Realised: -

12
Anhwei Yu Huan Bank, $5, 1907, (P.S820), PMG XF40. What appears to be dirt on the obverse left margin is actually ink offset from the handwritten control characters found on the reverse. High grade issued examples of supposedly more 'common' Imperial Qing Dynasty banknotes are rarer than many realize.
SG$6,500 Up
Realised: SG$6,000

13
Kwangtung Currency Bureau, $5, Year 33 (1907), (P.S2393), PMG Choice VF35 EPQ. The Chinese serial no. is 'Luo' 694. The Five Dollars is actually the rarest denomination amongst the Imperial Kwangtung issues. It is considerably rarer than even the $10. Bright colours and strong paper on this exceptional example makes it possibly the finest known. EPQ designation on an issued Imperial Qing banknote? Simply breathtaking! This lot has an undisclosed reserve.
SG$50,000 Up
Realised: -

14
Chinese Republican Military Bank - Anhwei, $1, 1912, (P.S3841), serial no. 23447, various Chinese Character ovpts., minor offset printing of serial number on back, PMG VF30.
SG$4,500 UP
Realised: SG$4,000


FRENCH INDO-CHINA

15
Banque De L'Indochine, 100 Piastres, ND (1932-35), specimen, (P.51cs), no serial number or signature, "SPECIMEN" perforations, PMG Superb Gem UNC67 EPQ.
SG$1,900 Up
Realised: -


HONG KONG

16
Hong Kong Government, $1 on 1000 Yen, ND (1945), (P.318), "ONE DOLLAR $ 1 HONG KONG GOVERNMENT" on 1000 Yen, PMG XF40 EPQ. An emergency issue prepared by the British Military Administration to replace the 'duress' HSBC notes in circulation immediately following the Japanese It was ultimately not issued. The cancellation is part of the plate and is not an overprint. Genuine examples are hard to come by.
SG$2,200 Up
Realised: SG$2,600


INDIA

17
Government of India, Bombay, 50 Rupees, King George V, sign. Taylor, ND (1930), (P.9b), serial no. V/8 133752, PMG XF40. The 50 Rupee denomination is noted for its rarity. The spindle and staple holes are usual for Indian notes. This large note shows vibrant colours and does not appear to have been pressed or otherwise molested in any way. Indian coins have resumed their upward price march, and it is only a matter of time before Indian banknotes follow suit. This lot has an undisclosed reserve.
SG$20,000 Up
Realised: SG$30,000

18
Government of India, Bombay, 100 Rupees, King George V, sign. Taylor, ND (1917-30), (P.10b), serial no. S/63 667688, PMG AU55. It is sometimes difficult to fathom why a note does not receive the EPQ designation. It could be something as minor as ageing on the corner tips or the note having been placed in a book. Or it could be the spindle hole that all Indian notes suffer from. This original note is one of those, such that it would be difficult to find any better. This lot has an undisclosed reserve.
SG$5,000 Up
Realised: SG$6,500


MALAYA

19
$10, 1 January 1940, King George VI, (P.1; Tan M12), serial no. A/9 056674, PMG Choice VF35. This bright purple $10 is getting difficult to locate in high VF and above.
SG$500 Up
Realised: SG$1,250

20
25 Cents, 1 September 1940, King George VI, (P.3; Tan M6), serial no. E 561899, PMG Choice XF45. Strictly graded by PMG, with the light handling fold barely visible even under good light.
SG$700 Up
Realised: SG$800

21
25 Cents, 1 September 1940, King George VI, (P.3; Tan M6), serial no. B 164390, PMG Superb Gem UNC67 EPQ. This emergency issue 25 cents is difficult to come by in uncirculated, much less superb gem 67.
SG$1,500 Up
Realised: SG$2,700

22
50 Cents, 1 July 1941, King George VI, (P.10b; Tan M7), serial no. A/23 404594, blue colour omitted, PMG AU55. This is an unusual error that is known to Malaya specialists. However, examples don't often come in such a high grade. Definitely scarce, if not rare.
SG$600 Up
Realised: SG$1,500

23
$10, 1 July 1941, King George VI, (P.13; Tan M13), serial no. G/11 051681 to 682, consecutive pair, both graded PMG Gem UNC65 EPQ. This remarkable gem pair shows vibrant colours and the deep intaglio embossing is almost three dimensional. The paper wrinkle on the second note is natural and does not detract from the grade. (2)
SG$1,700 Up
Realised: SG$2,900

24
$100, 1 January 1942, King George VI, (P.15; Tan M15), serial nos. A/6 37271 to 272, consecutive pair, PMG XF40 and XF45 respectively. Malaya specialists will know how difficult it is to find examples of these large notes that have not been washed or otherwise tampered with. Bright colours and strong embossing testify to the originality of this pair. Consecutive to the following lot, it is evident that this pair did not receive EPQ status only because they were kept at the top and hence were marginally less protected from ageing. (2)
SG$7,000 Up
Realised: SG$16,500

25
$100, 1 January 1942, King George VI, (P.15; Tan M15), serial nos. A/6 37273 to 274, consecutive pair, PMG XF45 EPQ and AU50 EPQ respectively. This pair is consecutive to the previous lot. Fully fresh, original and deserving of the EPQ designation. These notes were left untouched in a safe for more than 40 years. We sold a pair of these from the bottom in July 2010 for US$18,975. That pair graded marginally higher with both notes being AU50 EPQ, but there isn't really much between them. Once this tiny group is gone, it may well be another 40 years before you see notes like these again. (2)
SG$8,000 Up
Realised: SG$33,000

26
$1000, 1 January 1942, King George VI, (P.16; Tan M16), serial no. A/1 27648, PMG Choice VF35. $1000 was a lot of money back then and not many were saved. Bright colours remain on this above average grade high denomination rarity. This lot has an undisclosed reserve.
SG$15,000 Up
Realised: SG$40,000


MALAYA & BRITISH BORNEO

27
$1000, 21 March 1953, Queen Elizabeth II, (P.6a; Tan B6a), serial no. A/1 26389, PMG XF40. Most of the Elizabeth $1000 in the market were from a small group in the Currency Board Hoard. These were not well cared for and tend to be spotty. Many of these have since been washed or treated to 'improve' their appearance. We estimate that most would now either be net graded or grade in around VF. This nice original note is not from the Currency Board Hoard. Bright colours and strong embossing is noted. 2 or 3 tiny age spots prevent it from receiving the coveted EPQ designation.
SG$22,000 Up
Realised: SG$90,000

28
$10000, (1953), Queen Elizabeth II, colour trial specimen in dark red, (P.7cts), no serial number, signature or date, "SPECIMEN OF NO VALUE" ovpt., discoloration from previous mounting, PMG AU50. The $10,000 was only used for interbank settlement and issued notes are impossible to obtain. This colour trial has a different shade from the one in Steven Tan's catalog. Extremely rare and highly desirable.
SG$18,000 Up
Realised: SG$42,000


MALAYSIA

29
$500, (1982-1984), 5th series, sign. Aziz Taha, (P.25, Boon B30), serial no. ZV 3656094, only prefix, PMG Gem UNC66 EPQ. The demonetization of the RM500 and RM1000 notes ensured that few survived the Asian financial crisis. Even fewer would have survived this nice.
SG$1,100 Up
Realised: SG$1,550

30
$1000, (1982-1984), 5th series, sign. Aziz Taha, (P.26, Boon B31), serial no. ZY 0092819, PMG Choice UNC64 EPQ. RM1000 was a tidy sum to risk when these high denomination notes were demonetized during the height of the Asian financial crisis. Now, they are a challenge to find. A nice companion to the RM500, this gem slider is a counting flick away from 65.
SG$1,300 Up
Realised: SG$2,800


NEW CALEDONIA

31
Banque De L'Indochine, Noumea, 1000 Francs, ND (1940-65), specimen, (P.43s), serial no. O.00 000, specimen no. 0006, "SPECIMEN" perforations, PMG Superb Gem UNC67 EPQ. A superb example of this attractive French engraving.
SG$950 Up
Realised: -


SARAWAK

32
$10, C.V. Brooke, 1 January 1940, (P.24), serial no. C/3 199884, PMG AU50. Sarawak specialists know that the 1940 $10 is more difficult to find than even the 1929, especially in better grades. In AU and above they are downright rare. Light quarter folds on this vibrant red example account for the grade. This is about as good as these large notes get. This lot has an undisclosed reserve.
SG$10,000 Up
Realised: SG$16,500


SCOTLAND

33
Union Bank of Scotland, 5 Pounds, 18-- (1848-55), proof, (P.S766a), no date, serial number or signature, PMG Gem UNC66 EPQ. An attractive Perkins, Bacon & Petch engraving on card. This lot has an undisclosed reserve.
SG$1,500 Up
Realised: -

34
Union Bank of Scotland Limited, 20 Pounds, 31 March 1905, specimen, (P.S808s), No. A, no serial number or signature, "SPECIMEN" ovpt., PMG Gem UNC66 EPQ, Rare and attractive. This lot has an undisclosed reserve.
SG$800 Up
Realised: SG$1,300


SINGAPORE

35
$500, (1988), ship, (KM.24), serial no. A/3 000007, very low serial number, PMG Gem UNC65 EPQ.
SG$900 Up
Realised: SG$2,700

36
$1000, (1999), President Ishak, BCCS, sign. Hu Tsu Tau, (P.43), serial no. 0AE 111111, PMG Gem UNC66 EPQ. There are only 10 prefixes for this signature.
SG$2,200 Up
Realised: SG$3,100

37
$1000, (1999), President Ishak, BCCS, sign. Hu Tsu Tau, (P.43), serial no. 0AE 222222, PMG Gem UNC66 EPQ.
SG$2,200 Up
Realised: SG$3,000

38
$1000, (1999), President Ishak, BCCS, sign. Hu Tsu Tau, (P.43), serial no. 0AE 333333, PMG Gem UNC66 EPQ.
SG$2,200 Up
Realised: SG$3,100

39
$1000, (1999), President Ishak, BCCS, sign. Hu Tsu Tau, (P.43), serial no. 0AE 444444, PMG Gem UNC66 EPQ.
SG$1,600 Up
Realised: SG$2,400

40
$1000, (1999), President Ishak, BCCS, sign. Hu Tsu Tau, (P.43), serial no. 0AE 666666, PMG Gem UNC66 EPQ.
SG$2,200 Up
Realised: SG$3,000

41
$1000, (1999), President Ishak, BCCS, sign. Hu Tsu Tau, (P.43), serial no. 0AE 777777, PMG Gem UNC66 EPQ.
SG$2,200 Up
Realised: SG$3,100

42
$1000, (1999), President Ishak, BCCS, sign. Hu Tsu Tau, (P.43), serial no. 0AE 999999, PMG Gem UNC66 EPQ.
SG$2,700 Up
Realised: SG$4,100

43
$1000, (1999), President Ishak, BCCS, sign. Hu Tsu Tau, (P.43), serial no. 0AJ 222222, PMG Gem UNC66 EPQ.
SG$2,200 Up
Realised: SG$3,100

44
$1000, (1999), President Ishak, BCCS, sign. Hu Tsu Tau, (P.43), serial no. 0AJ 333333, PMG Gem UNC66 EPQ.
SG$2,200 Up
Realised: SG$3,100

45
$1000, (1999), President Ishak, BCCS, sign. Hu Tsu Tau, (P.43), serial no. 0AJ 444444, PMG Gem UNC66 EPQ.
SG$1,600 Up
Realised: SG$2,500

46
$1000, (1999), President Ishak, BCCS, sign. Hu Tsu Tau, (P.43), serial no. 0AJ 555555, PMG Gem UNC66 EPQ.
SG$2,200 Up
Realised: SG$3,100

47
$1000, (1999), President Ishak, BCCS, sign. Hu Tsu Tau, (P.43), serial no. 0AJ 666666, PMG Gem UNC66 EPQ.
SG$2,200 Up
Realised: SG$3,100

48
$1000, (1999), President Ishak, BCCS, sign. Hu Tsu Tau, (P.43), serial no. 0AJ 777777, PMG Gem UNC66 EPQ.
SG$2,200 Up
Realised: SG$3,000

49
$1000, (1999), President Ishak, BCCS, sign. Hu Tsu Tau, (P.43), serial no. 0AJ 888888, PMG Gem UNC66 EPQ.
SG$2,700 Up
Realised: SG$5,000

50
$1000, (1999), President Ishak, BCCS, sign. Hu Tsu Tau, (P.43), serial no. 0AJ 999999, PMG Gem UNC66 EPQ.
SG$2,700 Up
Realised: SG$4,100

51
$1000, (1999), President Ishak, BCCS, sign. Hu Tsu Tau, (P.43), serial no. 0AK 111111, PMG Gem UNC66 EPQ.
SG$2,200 Up
Realised: SG$3,400

52
$1000, (1999), President Ishak, BCCS, sign. Hu Tsu Tau, (P.43), serial no. 0AK 555555, PMG Gem UNC66 EPQ.
SG$2,200 Up
Realised: SG$3,100


STRAITS SETTLEMENTS

53
$5, 1 February 1901, (P.3; Tan S3b), serial no. B/15 47227, PMG VF25. The size of the $5 note was reduced in 1901. This is an attractive mid-grade example of the rare first date that is now 110 years old. They just do not come much better.
SG$2,000 Up
Realised: SG$10,000

54
$1, 1 January 1929, (P.9a; Tan S9b), serial no. N/10 69587, PMG XF40.
SG$600 Up
Realised: SG$1,350

55
$5, 1 January 1929, (P.10a; Tan S10b), serial no. E/35 08782, PMG VF25. The green water buffalo $5 is an iconic Straits Settlements design, and thus always popular. VF examples are considered above average and getting difficult to locate. Prices skyrocket at EF and higher.
SG$1,700 Up
Realised: SG$3,100

56
$5, 1 January 1930, (P.10b; Tan S10c), serial no. E/68 60332, PMG VF25. This is the black date and signature variety of the highly sought after water buffalo $5 that was issued only with this date. Most examples encountered are fine and below. Like its 1929 counterpart, prices step up exponentially in EF and above.
SG$1,700 Up
Realised: SG$6,600

57
$10, 1 January 1925, (P.11a; Tan S11), serial no. C/80 86761, PMG VF20 NET. A popular large sized note because of its idyllic kampong and sampan design complete with coconut trees. Net graded because of a few rust coloured tropical ageing stains that are not at all uncommon for notes from this part of the world. Nevertheless, still attractive and rare.
SG$3,500 Up
Realised: SG$4,200

58
$50, 24 September 1925, King George V, (P.12a; Tan S12b), serial no. B/4 71276, PMG VF20 NET. A clean presentable example of this popular high denomination note. Net graded because of a rusty paper clip mark.
SG$6,500 Up
Realised: SG$8,200

59
$100, 24 September 1925, King George V, (P.13; Tan S13), serial no. B/4 30627, PMG VF20. Marginally rarer than the $50, this is a presentable example. The usual ink annotation on the reverse is mentioned for accuracy.
SG$6,500 Up
Realised: SG$9,000

60
$1, 1 January 1931, King George V, (P.16a; Tan S17), serial no. B/89 80169, PMG Choice XF45 EPQ. An attractive, bright note with some 'red packet' folds and light handling.
SG$650 Up
Realised: SG$1,000

61
$1, 1 January 1932, King George V, (P.16a; Tan S17a), serial no. C/7 09435, PMG AU55 EPQ. A light centre fold and a couple of counting flicks account for the grade on this otherwise pristine original. A very difficult date to find so nice.
SG$900 Up
Realised: SG$5,800

62
$1, 1 January 1933, King George V, (P.16a; Tan S17b), serial no. D/10 96967, PMG Gem UNC66 EPQ. Simply a superb example of this very scarce date.
SG$1,600 Up
Realised: SG$8,800

63
$1, 1 January 1934, King George V, (P.16a; Tan S17c), serial no. E/79 89271, PMG Choice XF45 EPQ. Minor edge ageing on this note is mentioned for accuracy.
SG$750 Up
Realised: SG$2,100

64
$1, 1 January 1935, King George V, (P.16b; Tan S17d), serial nos. K/81 17961 to 970, 10 consecutive notes, 9 notes are of Exceptional Paper Quality, K/81 17961 PMG Choice AU58 EPQ, K/81 17965 PMG AU55, all others PMG AU55 EPQ. Runs of 10 consecutive Straits Settlements notes are always impressive. A whisker away from UNC because of counting folds. (10)
SG$6,500 Up
Realised: SG$9,200

65
$1, 1 January 1935, King George V, (P.16b; Tan S17d), serial nos. L/4 75816 to 817, consecutive pair, PMG Choice UNC64 EPQ and Choice AU58 EPQ. Bright colours and strong embossing earn this attractive pair Exceptional Paper Quality status. Only light handling keeps the second note from an UNC grade. (2)
SG$1,300 Up
Realised: SG$2,400

66
$1, 1 January 1935, King George V, (P.16b; Tan S17d), serial no. L/47 96441, PMG Gem UNC66 EPQ. An attractive, fresh gem with superb embossing.
SG$750 Up
Realised: SG$1,500

67
$5, 1 January 1933, King George V, (P.17a; Tan S18b), serial no. A/71 69986, PMG Choice VF35. Any higher and the prices on this rare date will go up exponentially.
SG$1,600 Up
Realised: SG$3,000

68
$5, 1 January 1934, King George V, (P.17a; Tan S18c), serial no. A/93 14204, PMG XF40. Possibly even rarer than the 1933, a light fold and some minor corner weakness accounts for the grade. Before the days of banknote certification, some would call this AU.
SG$6,500 Up
Realised: SG$6,000

69
$5, 1 January 1935, King George V, (P.17b; Tan S18d), serial no. B/80 17302, PMG AU53. A fold and some marks from an old-time photo album accounts for the grade.
SG$2,200 Up
Realised: SG$3,200

70
$5, 1 January 1935, King George V, (P.17b; Tan S18d), serial no. B/77 28957, PMG Choice XF45. Three very light folds account for the grade on this bright note. Many would happily call this AU in the days before banknote certification.
SG$1,300 Up
Realised: SG$2,100

71
$5, 1 January 1935, King George V, (P.17b; Tan S18d), serial no. B/60 40373, PMG Choice VF35 EPQ. A crease, quarter fold, counting fold and never having been pressed or otherwise 'improved' gives this bright, original note Exceptional Paper Quality status despite a numerical grade of 35. This is what a premium VF should be.
SG$650 Up
Realised: SG$1,400


TAHITI

72
Banque De L'Indochine, Papeete, 1000 Francs, ND (1940-57), specimen, (P.15s), serial no. O.00 000, specimen no. 0026, "SPECIMEN" perforations, PMG Superb Gem UNC67 EPQ. A superb example of this attractive French engraving.
SG$950 Up
Realised: -