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Auction: CSS57A - Banknotes, Bonds & Shares and Coins of China and Hong Kong
Lot: 123

The Agra and Masterman's Bank, Limited, 10 tael, uniface obverse proof, undated c.1864-66, black on white card, supported arms at upper centre, '10' to each side, Bank title and denomination in Chinese characters within borders,
(Pick unlisted), PMG 63 Choice Uncirculated. 'The Agra and United Serivce Bank Limited was established in Hong Kong in 1862 and issued its first banknotes in 1863. It merged with Masterman & Co. and was renamed Agra and Masterman's Bank Limited in 1864 and ceased to operate in 1866 (www.numismondo.net). The cataloguer cannot see find any other 'Foreign Banks' issuing banknotes earlier than this and can safely state that this note is one of the earliest, if not the earliest, prototypes known. A great rarity which will find its home in one of the greatest collections of Foreign Bank banknotes and will not be seen for many years. An extremely important offering.


1864-66年呵加剌匯理銀行10兩正面黑白試印樣鈔，PMG 63，呵加剌匯理銀行在1862年於香港成立，翌年首次發行鈔票，1864年與與倫敦馬士特曼·彼得斯·米爾得公司合併，改組為阿加剌和馬士特曼銀行，最後於1866年結束營業，編者不曾遇見其他由外國銀行更早年份發行之鈔票，可以斷言此鈔是面世時間最早的外資銀行紙鈔，久未亮相，珍罕程度無與倫比

Sold for
HK$210,000

Starting price
HK$150000