Historic Gisborne items fetch high prices at auction

A £1 note issued by prominent Gisborne trader Captain George Read sold at auction for $4100.

Two historic Gisborne items have sold for more than their estimated value at auction.

A rare 1860s £1 note from prominent Gisborne trader Captain George Read sold for $4100.

It had an estimated value of $3000.

Three World War I medals awarded to Tolaga Bay soldier William Kemp Rennie who served in Egypt, Gallipoli, and on the Western Front, sold for $475.

The medals had an estimated value of $300.

Two sets of World War 1 medals went up for auction last week at Otaki. One set, originally awarded to East Coast soldier William Rennie, sold for $475.

Over 92% of the lots sold and the auction realised $552,000.

Highlights included the sale of a very rare proof set of Irish coins from 1928 to 1931 which sold for $25,000 (including buyer’s premium), 75% above the original estimate.

A $50 banknote of the Bank of Australasia Wellington Branch of 1913 sold for $13,100.

The bank was a predecessor of the ANZ Bank.

The auction was held at Mowbray Collectables in Ōtaki which deals with stamps, rare coins and related items.