HONG KONG.- Spink China’s new numismatic staff will, for the first time collaboratively, offer on 2 April 2014 in Hong Kong hundreds of rare banknotes, coins and bonds in the Numismatic Collector’s Series Sale.

Containing a wide array of items with excellent provenances ranging from old-time collectors to the Numismatic trade and banknote archives, the auction is filled with treasures that will excite anyone not only interested in currency but with an eye for design and a head for history.

The star lot is a Silver Dollar from the Republic of China from 1926 (Estimate: HK$1,100,000-1,300,000, Lot 371). The coin showcases one of the four designs of the famous Manchurian Warlord, Chang Cho Lin, before his assassination by the Japanese in 1928. Being the very few coins to be slabbed by an independent grading company, this extremely scarce example on offer is truly an item to watch out for.

Equally noteworthy is a 1949 Bamboo Dollar with 'Oval Window' variety (Estimate: HK$1,100,000-1,300,000, Lot 353). A highly sought-after coin with the iconic bamboo design, the present example is from the Edward Kann collection and is the only one example in the world slabbed by an independent grading company. 'Oval Window' variety is much rarer than the 'Round Window' variety. This prized offering is expected to draw tremendous interest from collectors.

A further highlight is a beautiful 20 cents from the Kwangtung Mint (Estimate: HK$140,000-160,000, Lot 351). Coins of this design that are dated 1928 and 1929 are extremely common. The present lot is however dated 1930 which is exceedingly rare in the market. Krause catalogues state that there is only one example of this coin to be known.The closure of the Mint in 1931 also means that this is probably one of the last coins to be struck by the company. Commemorating the last moments of the Kwangtung Mint, the coin is highly coveted by collectors.

Collectors will also be delighted to find in the sale a share certificate from the Kowloon Motor Bus Company Limited, dated 1927 (Estimate: HK$130,000-150,000, Lot 132). Signed in brush writing by the founder Mr. Lui Leung, this certificate also comes with other paperwork detailing the transfer of shares to another party. Since most of the share certificates are still retained by the Lui family, it is a rare opportunity for collectors of scripophily and Kowloon Motor Bus material to obtain a share certificate of the company which still provides public transport for the citizens of Hong Kong.

Further highlights in the share certificates section include:

A 1897 share certificate for 30 silver dollars of Kwangsi Tin Ping Silver Mining Company (Estimate: HK$45,000-50,000, Lot 108). The Kwangsi area is known to have an abundance of natural resources since antiquity and was managed by officials throughout imperial dynasties. This share certificate was issued in 1897 when the company was restructured and needed new capital to introduce new technology and machinery. It is very early date for a 'modern' Chinese share certificate.

A share certificate for $100 and dated 1909, from the Hou De Industrial Bank, set up by former employees of the Ta Ching Government bank, which later became The Bank of China (Estimate: HK$20,000-30,000, Lot 109). Due to corruption and cronyism, massive debts were accrued in just one year, forcing the Hou De Industrial Bank to face bankruptcy, causing one of the most famous banking scandals in the late Qing era. This Certificate is in impeccable condition, complete with its original envelope.

The banknotes section is led by a People's Bank of China 2nd series renminbi, 3 yuan (Estimate: HK$105,000-120,000, Lot 1135A). Although this note is dated 1953, this series of renminbi was introduced in 1955 to replace the original 1st series which ran from 1948 until 1955. The new series replaced the latter at a rate of 1 new yuan to 10.000 old yuan and for the first and only time, an unusual denomination was issued; 3 yuan. This banknote has been graded highly by an independent currency authentication company.

A Hong Kong and Shanghai Banking Corporation, $10 'Lucky Number' Set, 1977 (Estimate: HK$38,000-45,000, Lot 1209). The collecting of 'lucky' numbers has grown at a fast pace over the last 2-3 years. Whilst in the past it was viewed as a curiosity now it has grown to become a main collecting theme. This special number set contains the full set of nine 'solid' numbers from ' 111111 to 999999' and also the 1000000 number.

1913 Russo Asiatic Bank $5 and $50 die proof notes from the printer's archives (Estimate: HK$5,000-6,000, Lot 814).