Two NGC-graded Vintage Chinese Coins Pedigreed to the NC Collection Realize Over $1 Million Each

The finest-known example of a Chinese coin designed by Luigi Giorgi dazzled the coin collecting world, realizing $1.34 million at a Champion Macau auction that ended May 30, 2021. Certified by Numismatic Guaranty Corporation® (NGC®), it more than quadrupled its pre-auction estimate of $150,000 to $300,000.

The China YR 3 (1911) Silver Dollar Long Whiskered Dragon graded NGC MS 64 features a fully struck dragon with stunning detail and rims with sharp, raised leaves. It is possibly one of the first coins struck off a new die design created by Giorgi, an Italian artist, who was Chief Engraver at the Tientsin Central Mint from 1910 to 1917.

China YR 3 (1911) Dollar Long-Whiskered Dragon graded NGC MS 64. Realized: $1.34 million Click images to enlarge

The Long Whiskered Dragon and other coins in the sale were from the Nelson Chang (NC) Collection — an outstanding group of vintage Chinese rarities graded by NGC. Distinguished with the NC Collection pedigree on the NGC certification label, many of the coins are among the most desirable in Chinese numismatics, carefully collected by one of China’s most famous families.

Another NGC-certified coin from the NC Collection that also surpassed $1 million was a China YR 33 (1907) Tael Chihli graded NGC MS 63. One of the finest known and one of the most coveted of the Chinese Dragon Tael series, the coin flew past its estimate of $200,000 to $400,000 to realize $1.1 million.

China YR 33 (1907) Tael Chihli graded NGC MS 63. Realized: $1.1 million Click images to enlarge

A China 1898 Kiangnan Dollar graded NGC MS 65 also impressed, realizing $996,000. The finest known and most popular variety of this type, it is rarely seen with such a high grade. Its estimate was $150,000 to $200,000.

China 1898 Kiangnan Dollar graded NGC MS 65. Realized: $996,000
Click images to enlarge.

Altogether, the NC Collection realized over $18 million — the largest total ever achieved by a Chinese coin collection. The astonishing average per coin was $180,000.

“The NC Collection sale set over 60 record prices for Chinese coins,” commented Michael Chou, President of Champion Auctions. “NGC’s expert certification and the confidence it provides were integral to this record-setting day.”

 “With some of the rarest and most desirable vintage Chinese coins known, the sale of the NC Collection was a numismatic event that doesn't happen often,” said Ben Wengel, NGC Senior Grading Finalizer of World Coins. “NGC is proud to be part of this resounding success.”

These coins become the ninth and tenth NGC-certified coins to realize a price of more than $1 million so far in 2021. The complete list includes:

• a 1787 ‘EB’ on Wing Brasher Doubloon graded NGC MS 65★ and pedigreed to the Partrick Collection that realized $9.36 million on January 21, 2021
• a 1907 Extremely High Relief Double Eagle graded NGC PF 68 and pedigreed to the Paramount Collection that realized $3.6 million on February 24, 2021
• a Russia 1825 Rouble graded NGC PF 62 and pedigreed to Joseph, Richter and the Pinnacle Collection that realized $2.64 million on April 6, 2021
• a Great Britain 1937 Gold Pattern Edward VIII 5 Sovereign graded NGC PF 67 Ultra Cameo and pedigreed to the Paramount Collection that realized $2.28 million on March 26, 2021
• a 1786 Lima-Style Brasher Doubloon graded NGC MS 61 and pedigreed to the Partrick Collection that realized $2.1 million on January 21, 2021
• an 1880 Coiled Hair Stella graded NGC PF 67 Cameo and pedigreed to the Paramount Collection that realized $1.86 million on February 24, 2021
• a China YR 3 (1911) Silver Dollar Long Whiskered Dragon graded NGC MS 64 and pedigreed to the NC Collection that realized $1.34 million on May 30, 2021
• a 1792 Judd-13 Pattern Quarter graded NGC AU 58 that realized $1.26 million on April 25, 2021
• a 1776 Silver Continental Dollar graded NGC VF 35 and pedigreed to the Romano and Partrick Collections that realized: $1.14 million on April 25, 2021
• a China YR 33 (1907) Tael Chihli graded NGC MS 63 and pedigreed to the NC Collection that realized $1.1 million on May 30, 2021

Numerous other NGC-certified coins realized premium prices in the sale, including:

• a China 1904 Hupeh Tael Pattern Set, with three coins graded NGC MS 64, NGC MS 62 BN and NGC AU 50 BN, that realized $912,000
• a China 1916 Yuan Shih-kai Dollar graded NGC MS 64 that realized $672,000
• a China 1897 Kiangnan Dollar graded NGC UNC Details that realized $612,000
• a China YR 3 (1914) Yuan Shih-kai Dollar graded NGC SP 65 that realized $504,000
• a China ND (1916) Yuan Shi Kai Silver Dollar with Flying Dragon, Hat Touching Rim, graded NGC MS 64 that realized $504,000
• a China 1906 Gold Large Clouds, Plain Edge Tael graded NGC MS64 that realized $462,000

To see large, high-resolution images of these and other NGC-certified coins in the sale, explore the NC Collection Gallery.

Prices realized include buyer’s premium. All estimates were provided by the auction house in US dollars.

Related links

• NGC-certified Coins Topping $1 Million in 2021
• NGC-certified Vintage Chinese Coins from the Illustrious NC Collection to be Offered by Champion Auctions in May
• Collectors Compete for Rare NGC-Certified Chinese Pattern Set from the NC Collection