World notes sell for $1.3 million

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The ANA convention was abuzz with world currency sales, particularly notable were the results from Heritage Auctions’ World Currency Platinum Night sale on Aug. 17.

The auction realized an impressive total of $1,349,640, with 40 lots fetching five-figure sums, and one even surpassing six figures.

Remarkably, nine out of the top 10 lots hailed from “The Feeling Good Collection,” a testament to five decades of meticulous collecting dedicated to acquiring the finest notes in terms of both design and condition.

As anticipated, the top-priced lot was the stunning Zanzibar Government false color 20 rupees specimen dated 1 January 1908 (P-4cs).

This rare specimen, graded PMG Gem Uncirculated 65 EPQ, fetched an astounding $108,000, well above its starting bid of $50,000.

Iraqi issues also commanded attention, with a specimen 10 dinars of 1 July 1931 featuring King Faisal I (P-5s) in PMG Gem Uncirculated 66 EPQ fetching $43,200, and an issued 1/2 dinar of 1947 of King Faisal II (P-28) in the same grade achieving $25,200.

The Hong Kong and Shanghai Banking Corporation notes were highly sought after, particularly a $5 of 1 January 1923 (P-166), graded PCGS Choice About New 55 PPQ, which sold for $40,800.

Two other notable sellers from the bank’s Tientsin branch were a $5 of 1 January 1901 (P-S378) in PMG About Uncirculated 55 EPQ, selling for $22,800, and a $5 of 1 June 1907 (P-S381) in PMG Choice Extremely Fine 45 EPQ, fetching $22,200.

The rare Deutsch-Ostafrikanische Bank 500 rupien of 2 September 1912 (P-5) garnered significant attention, selling for a record $36,000 in PMG About Uncirculated 53 EPQ.

Japan also saw a new record price with a 200-yen ND (1927) specimen (P-37Bs) fetching $33,600 in PMG Gem Uncirculated 66 EPQ.

A rare Costa Rica 10 colones of 5 February 1929 (P-189B) sold for $22,800, coming in as one of only two denominations of this date printed by Thomas De La Rue.

The only note not from “The Feeling Good Collection” in the top 10 was a Reserve Bank of New Zealand £50 of 1 August 1934 (P-157), which despite being graded just PMG Very Fine 25 Net, commanded $21,600 due to its low serial number T000037.

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