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Auction: 11003 - Banknotes & Coins of Hong Kong & China
Lot: 536

The Oriental Bank Corporation, $5, Hong Kong, 7 March 1879, serial number H 40286, black and white, royal arms flanked by a lion, and a unicorn at top centre, value in oval tablet top left and right, bank title and value in central panel, printed date 1866 cancelled and manuscript 1879 entered, two manuscript signatures below, reverse black and white, ornate spirographic circles at centre, (Ma B1, Pick 267b), a pleasing example very good to fine, and of the highest rarity, Estimate HK$ 250,000-300,000 This was the first note printed after Perkins Bacon received the printing contract formerly held by Batho & Co., London. Prior to the discovery of the two examples in the auction, only three issued Hong Kong Oriental Bank notes were believed extant, two of which are in Museums and one, a $5, is in a private collection. The Bank was the world´s largest international bank, and operated until the mid- 1880´s when, due to catastrophic failures elsewhere, the Bank itself succumbed. While the New Oriental Bank Corporation arose from its ashes, the Hong Kong Government did not permit it to issue notes in Hong Kong. On the failure of the Oriental Bank Corporation all of its notes were immediately paid on presentation by the other banks; accordingly surviving issued notes on the Oriental are exceptionally rare.

Sold for
HK$720,000