New record set at auction for a chinese banknote for HKD$990,000

On the 23rd and 24th of January 2010, Spink held a magnificent sale of Stamps, Banknotes, Coins and Bonds of Hong Kong and China, at the Landmark Mandarin Oriental in Hong Kong. The sale featured a number of rare and valuable items which resulted in fantastic prices at auction including a new record for a Chinese banknote. This note was the first one yuan note available for public purchase and it caused quite the bidding frenzy on the day of the sale. A Taiwanese Collector was the lucky buyer in the end.

The highly valuable note features 2 black dragons signifying the prowess of the Emperor and Monarch and accordingly named as the "Ooi-Long note", in the middle "Xuan Tong Yuan Bao". The Kwangsi bank existed for a brief stint of less than 2 years before being reorganised in 1911 and the notes were subsequently recalled. To date, only 3 examples of this note have been discovered, and it is noteworthy that all 3 are believed to be in the hands of collectors outside Kwangsi.

Barnaby Faull, Director of Banknotes at Spink, commented, “This was an absolutely fantastic auction. We offered a fresh collection of Chinese notes from an English collector and the new material resulted in great interest from collectors around the world. The Chinese market is very buoyant and potentially unlimited and this was without doubt the finest sale to be held in Hong Kong for banknotes. The sale also featured a wonderful collection of coins and bonds. In the end, nearly HK$11 million was sold at auction on the day.”

Additional notes on the 1 yuan note:

In c.1909 the Qing dynasty restructured both the Imperial banks and the issuing authorities to establish the Kwangsi Bank. In the modern history of Chinese banknotes Kwangxi became the earliest province to have a bank. At that time, Xuan Tong Year 2 (1909), Kwangsi Bank issued their banknotes known to the Nan-Ning people as the "Ooi-Long note". This literally means black dragon note, and is highly sought after by collectors. The "Ooi-Long Note" was printed in Japan, with a print run of two hundred thousand for the 1 yuan denomination and two hundred thousand pieces for the 5 yuan denomination. According to a press release in Nan-Ning dated 9 June 2006, a collector chanced upon one of these rare examples of a $5 note in a Nan-Ning market place in April 1994, purchasing it at a very high price. The note was subsequently repurchased by Chinese officials.

About Spink

Spink is the world’s leading auctioneer of coins, stamps, medals, banknotes, bonds, share certificates and autographs, with offices in London, Singapore, New York and Dallas. Since its foundation in 1666, the Spink name has become synonymous with tradition, experience and integrity. Holders of three royal warrants and numerous records for prices achieved at auction, Spink offer an unparalleled range of services to collectors worldwide.

For more information, pictures or to request an interview with the specialist please contact Emily Johnston, ejohnston@spink.com, 020 7563 4009.

Gibraltar-San Marino Joint Issue

The Gibraltar Philatelic Bureau has been working closely with the San Marino Philatelic Bureau to produce a superb joint stamp issue featuring similarities between both Gibraltar and San Marino.

The stamp sheets will be released jointly on the 30th June 2010 by both Philatelic Bureaus and feature photographs of the Rock (Gibraltar) and Mount Titano (San Marino) and also the Moorish Castle (Gibraltar) and the Second Tower (San Marino).

Green stamp in support of Finnish solar power

It is easy to choose a more environmentally sound for sending mail. As part of the Itella Green program, the 'Posti Vihrea – Gron Post' stamp will be introduced; deliveries with the stamp are carbon-neutral. The environment has been observed in all manufacturing phases of the stamp.

Being the first in the world to do so, the stamp will be manufactured for Itella of 100% recyclable OBA-free paper material. No bleach or brightening substances will be used in it. No wax or shine substances have been added on the surface. The fresh green tone comes from a water-solvent print color which does not strain the environment.

The designers, Timo Berry and Teemu Ollikainen have prepared a post-horn in the first class stamp. The other end of the horn puts out green seed leaves. The stamp carries an extra fee of EUR 5 cents. The assets accrued from the fees will be allocated to support the construction of the first solar power plant in Finland.

International Year of Biodiversity Belarus

On December 20, 2006 the United Nations General Assembly declared 2010 the International Year of Biodiversity. The aim is to attract greater international attention to the continuing loss of the diversity of life on Earth.

For celebration of the International Year of Biodiversity in our country the Ministry of nature resources and environmental defense worked out a special plan of activities: enlightenment actions and educational seminars, photo and books exhibitions, ecology conferences, forums, competitions and festivals, demonstration of documentaries and social video clips on this subject.
Title: International Year of Biodiversity
Date of Issue: 23 April 2010
Country: Belarus
Denominations: 300, 2400, 300 BYR

Protected species Tiare apetahi

Tiare Apetahi, emblem of the island of Raiatea, a rare and delicate flower, which petals form the fingers of the legend of its appearance. This endemic and indigenous flower only blooms on the te mehani avaeari’i and ura mountains. Endangered, it must be preserved from flower picking, development of invading plants, rats destroying the plants and pigs destroying its environment. Associations are currently trying to preserve this precious element of the Polynesian natural heritage.

Title: Protected species Tiare apetahi
Date of Issue: 20 April 2010
Country: Tahiti
Denominations: 70 F CFP