CHINA--EMPIRE. Imperial Bank of China. 5 Mace, 14.11.1898. P-A39a.(S/M#C293-1b) An item which is simply a miracle of survival as the piece shows as nicely as the day the inks were laid to the paper. This issuer is scarce with regards to any note in all states of preservation. Lightly circulated pieces are rare and truly Uncirculated items are pieces that even the most advanced collectors may not get a chance to own. The present serial number 65671 piece offered here will certainly be one of the highlights of the sale as it shows the design as nice as any specimen or proof note would. Original paper is observed looking through the encapsulation surface and only a single pinhole at the upper left center likely negates a Gem designation. The finest we previously handled was a note we described as Choice Fine and realized $2,629.00 as lot 80034 in our August 2011 Hong Kong sale. The note is currently the only piece certified at an Uncirculated level for the catalog number and one of only two for the entire Imperial Bank of China issue to be certified at an Uncirculated level with the other being a P-A42a 10 Tael note. Certainly this important piece will see spirited bidding and end up in a world class collection. PMG Pop. 1/none finer.PMG Choice Uncirculated 64
