Today Spink’s World Banknotes auction featured numerous rarities which realized unbelievable prices. Without a shadow of a doubt, the highlight of the sale was a collection of the first ever Malaysian banknotes. The lot was purchased for an amazing £115,100, four times the original estimate, which broke Spink’s previously held record for the most expensive Asian Banknotes sold ever at auction.

The banknotes were a gift presented by Ismail Mohd Ali, on behalf of the Board of Governors of Bank Negara Malaysia, to the (fourth) King of Malaysia, Tuanku Ismail Nasiruddin Shah. They are preserved in a blue leather presentation album with the title Bank Negara Malaysia and arms in gold on the front cover. The folder contains the following: 1 ringgit, blue and multicoloured, 5 ringgit, green and multicoloured, 10 ringgit, blue and multicoloured, 50 ringgit, blue and multicoloured and 100 ringgit, purple and multicoloured, all ND (1967), serial number A/1 000001, all with portrait of Yang Di- Pertuan Agong, TuAnku Abdul Rahman, first King of Malaysia, at right, all are signed by Ismail Mohd Ali, value at centre and at each corner, all notes are mounted in card with gold border (Tan M 27, 28, 29, 30, 31). There is also a second presentation album containing 1000 ringgit, ND (1968), serial number A/1 000001, purple and multicoloured, portrait of Yang Di- Pertuan Agong, TuAnku Abdul Rahman, first king of Malaysia at right, signed by Ismail Mohd- Ali, value at centre and each corner, mounted in card with gold trim (Tan M 32).

Palestinian notes also fetched enormous prices in the sale with some lots going for as much as twelve times the initial estimate. Lot 1008, a Palestine, Currency Board, specimen 500 mils dated 30 September 1929, sold for £13,900, a far cry from the original estimate of £750-1,000. This lot was followed shortly thereafter with the shattering of yet another world record at auction for Spink. Lot 1071, a Currency Board £50 dated 30 September 1929 received a round of applause when sold for £80,600, a world record price for a Palestinian Banknote.

The sale totaled £1,187,565
Top Five Lots

Lot 953
Bank Negara Malaysia, presentation album of the first Malaysian Banknotes
Sold for £115,100

Lot 1071
The Exceptional Palestine £50 of 1929
Sold for £80,600

Lot 954
Anglo-Egyptian Banking Company Limited, a specimen set dated 1 October 1886
Sold for £19,650

Lot 124
Bermuda, Government Issue, £5, dated 1 August 1941
Sold for £14,475

Lot 1008
Palestine, Currency Board, specimen 500 mils, dated 30 September 1929
Sold for £13,900

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Images: Spink Press Office on 020 7563 4009

About Spink

Spink is the world’s leading auctioneer of coins, stamps, medals and banknotes. Since its foundation in 1666, the Spink name has become synonymous with tradition, experience and integrity. Holder of three royal warrants and numerous records for prices achieved at auction, Spink offers an unparalleled range of services to collectors worldwide. Spink is headquartered in London and holds over 35 auctions a year around the globe.