HONG KONG.- Heritage Auctions will conduct its first official auction under the auspices of its new Hong Kong office, Dec. 10-12, 2015, with a World & Ancient Coins Signature® Auction and World Currency Signature® Auction at the Hyatt Regency Hong Kong, 18 Hanoi Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon.

"Our inaugural Hong Kong Coin and Currency auction is being held as the official auction of the inaugural Hong Kong International Coin Fair," said Cristiano Bierrenbach, Vice President of Heritage Auctions. "It focuses on the coins and currency of China and the surrounding region. From here on out, the show, and Heritage's Hong Kong Coin and Currency auctions, will now be held twice a year in June and December."

While the auction will take place at the Hyatt Regency, Heritage's new Hong Kong offices are officially open and located in the Lippo Center, Unit 1105, 11/F, Tower 1 Lippo Centre, No. 89 Queensway, Hong Kong.

One of the featured collections is the Gary L. Damkoehler Collection of Tibetan Coins, which is probably one of the most complete collections of Tibetan coins ever sold, including one of the greatest Tibetan Rarities – a Tibetan Theocracy Gold 20 Srang (1921) MS63 NGC.

Other top coin offerings include an exceedingly rare 1871 Fengtien (Teng-Tien) Aluminum Dollar Pattern SP61 PCGS, a type unlisted in aluminum; a stunning 1923 Republic gold Pattern Dragon & Phoenix Dollar Year 12 MS62 NGC, one of the most coveted coins of the early Republic of China period; and an exceptional 1906 Empire gold Pattern Kuping Tael (Liang) AU55 NGC.

On the currency side of the inaugural Hong Kong auction, an iconic and vividly colored 1899 China Hupeh Government Mint 1 Dollar PMG About Uncirculated, a newly discovered note and the most important note of a specialized theme collection offered, leads the way. It is followed closely by a late 19th Century Hong Kong Oriental Bank $500 ND Pick UNL Proof PMG Choice Uncirculated 64, an excessively rare design in any state, missing from even the most advanced collections.

Heritage opened its Hong Kong office in 2015 to meet a growing demand by clients in the region for greater ease of accessibility in working with the company.

"We are making the Heritage auction platform directly accessible to the Asian market both in consignor and bidder services through our Hong Kong location," said Kenneth Yung, Director of Asian Operations for Heritage Auctions. "Whether it's coins, currency or items from any of our other 40 categories, the staff at the Hong Kong office is ready to assist. We can also assist clients who prefer to speak with a representative in Chinese regarding any general questions they may have about Heritage."

Further Coin and Currency Highlights include, but are certainly not limited to:

• 1929 Republic Sun Yat-sen silver Pattern Dollar Year 18 MS61 NGC – seldom offered 1929 Italian Pattern Junk Dollar.

• China People's Republic 10 Yuan 1953 Pick 870 PMG Very Fine 35 – A gorgeous People's Republic 10 Yuan.

• People's Republic gold "Year of the Dragon" Rectangular Proof 500 Yuan (5oz) 2000 Gem Proof, Unlisted in KM – rarely encountered Year of the Dragon Gold 500 Yuan, one of only 118 Minted.

• 1919 Macau Banco Nacional Ultramarino 100 Patacas Pick 9 – first Macau 100 Patacas Note, the crown jewel of Macau banknotes.

• 1914 Republic Yuan Shih-kai Specimen Pattern Dollar ND SP62 PCGS – very rare 1914 Yuan Shih-kai Pattern Dollar.

• 1940 China Kiangnan National Commercial Bank "1 Dollar" PCGS About Uncirculated 53 – exceedingly rare Kiangnan issue.

• 1880-H British Colony – Victoria 20 Cents MS65 NGC – a sensational survivor of this rare date.

• 1907 China Russo-Chinese Bank – Tientsin 50 Taels Pick S552s Specimen PMG About Uncirculated – a colorful Russo-Chinese 50 Taels note.

• AD 990-94 Song Dynasty Chun Hua gold Cash Ingot – A fascinating early ingot of the Song Dynasty, sand-cast and then hand engraved with Buddha and a second unknown figure.

• 1912 China Bank of China $1 Pick 16a PMG Very Fine 30 Net – an absolute rarity in its condition.

• 1904 Hupeh – Empire Tael Year 30 MS63 PCGS – original Mint State Hupeh Tael.