A modern, low mintage Chinese coin highlighted bidding during Bowers and Ponterio’s Nov. 16 to 19 auction of world and ancient coins and paper money.

The highlight of the auction was a Year of the Dragon .999 fine gold 500-yuan coin from 1988, the first year a coin having those specification and that denomination was issued for the Lunar series in China. With a reported mintage of 300 pieces, the coin is among the rarer of modern issues, certainly for the 5-ounce gold size.

The coin, graded Proof 69 Ultra Cameo by Numismatic Guaranty Corp., realized $26,550, including the 18 percent buyer’s fee. The auction of world coins and paper money realized an estimated $2.1 million with the fee.

In addition to the modern (1979 to the present) Chinese coins, paper money lots constituted a strong portion of highlights of the auction.

The complete listing of lots with prices realized is posted online at the firm’s website, www.stacksbowers.com.

For more information, contact Stack’s Bowers Galleries or Stack’s Bowers and Ponterio by telephone at 800-458-4646 at the West Coast office, or at 800-566-2580 at the East Coast office.

Write the firm at 1063 McGaw Ave., Suite 100, Irvine, CA 92614, or 123 W. 57th St., New York, NY 10019. Email it at info@stacksbowers.com or visit its website.

Some highlights:

Mexico, undated (1713)-J gold 8-escudo coin, Philip V, Friedberg 6 (Gold Coins of the World by Arthur L. and Ira S. Friedberg), from 1715 Spanish Plate Fleet, Numismatic Guaranty Corp. About Uncirculated 58, $6,490.

Mexico, 1733-MF silver 8-real klippe, Philip V, Krause-Mishler 48 (Standard Catalog of World Coins: 1701 to 1800 by Chester Krause and Clifford Mishler), recovered from the wreck of the Rooswijk, “near complete legends, minimal saltwater effect,” Very Fine, $1,327.50.

Mexico, War of Independence, Guadalajara, 1812-GaMR silver 8-real coin, KM-111.3, “edge design with small crosses and squares,” “edge defect on the reverse,” Fine, $4,130.

Mexico, Zacatecas, 1901-ZsAZ silver peso, KM-409.3, “the key to assembling a set of cap & ray pesos,” “soft struck at mint mark as usual for this issue, light scratch on reverse, small edge bump,” VF, $4,130.

Roman Republic, Julius Caesar, circa 46 B.C. gold aureus, Rome Mint, Nearly EF, $6,195.

Burma, government of India, undated (1927 to 1937) 100-rupee bank note, Pick A8d (Standard Catalog of World Paper Money, edited by George Cuhaj), VF, $9,145.

Canada, 1924 Dominion of Canada $5 bank note, P-35, dated May 26, 1924, but printing of 2 million notes was “not released until 1934 and roughly a third of that number actually entered circulation,” Professional Currency Grading Service Choice About New 58 Premium Paper Quality, $17,110.

China, International Banking Corp., Jan. 1, 1909, $1 bank note, P-S401, Fine, $13,570.

China, 1987 Panda 12-ounce .999 fine gold 1,000-yuan coin, F-B2, KM-165, includes original case of issue and certificate of authenticity, NGC Proof 69 Ultra Cameo, $21,830.

China, 1983 Year of the Pig gold 150-yuan coin, F-B62, KM-74, NGC Proof 69 Ultra Cameo, $9,145.

Iran, A.H. 1233 (circa 1818) gold 5-toman coin, Fath Ali Shah, F-32, “ex-jewelry,” PCGS Genuine — damaged, $17,700.

China, Year 21 (1932) Birds Over Junk silver dollar, Lin-Ma 108 (Illustrated Catalogue of Chinese Gold & Silver Coins by Lin Gwo Ming and editor Ma Tak Wo), NGC Mint State 64, $9,145.

Germany, 1920 cast bronze medal by Karl Goetz, Black Shame on the Rhine, Kienast 262 (The Medals of Karl Goetz by Gunter Kienast), Extremely Fine, $708.

Great Britain, 1930-B Trade silver dollar, KM-T5, NGC MS-65, $1,652.

India, Feb. 3, 1916 50-rupee bank note, P-A15b, VF, $9,440.

Ireland, 1951 copper-nickel halfcrown, KM-16a, Brilliant Proof, $1,829.

Russia, 1912-EB silver ruble, Alexander III Memorial, NGC AU-58, $14,160.

South Africa, 1892 silver 5-shilling coin, Single Shaft design, KM-8.1, “lightly toned with very original surfaces,” NGC MS-63, $5,900. ¦