Geoffrey Bell Auctions Ltd. is proud to present a full lineup of rare and scarce banknotes, coins, tokens, and medals with this year’s Toronto Coin Expo Fall Sale. The Toronto Coin Expo, unable to hold an in-person show this year due to the pandemic, is upping their game with the auction portion of the event. Presented over its usual two nights, the Fall Sale sees the Expo team up with two auction partners to present an unprecedented lineup of numismatic material. Keep reading for highlights from Geoffrey Bell Auctions’ portion October 1st, 2021.
One of the showpieces is undoubtedly a Royal Bank of Canada 1920, $100. Issued from Georgetown, British Guiana, Geoffrey Bell Auctions is honoured to present this incredible rarity, one of only two recorded in the CPMS Registry. This is not represented as an issued note in the National Currency Collection. Wilson-Holt signatures. Very slightly circulated PMG VF 30, but a little brown staining along bottom edge. CH 630-36-06, S/N: 001303. Part of the Harold Don Allen collection, it has a low estimate of $30,000.
Representing the Bank of Canada, this next note speaks for itself. There will be a lot of attention over this 1937 $1000 Osborne signature graded by PMG Gem UNC 65 EPQ with a nice low serial number. Thousand dollar notes have garnered particular attention from the media and collectors due to the recent loss of their legal tender status. This piece from the TLC collection also has a low estimate of $30,000.
Another centrepiece-worthy item, up for auction is one of Canada’s most famous and storied notes, from the Yukon Gold Rush. This is a Canadian Bank of Commerce $5 note of 1892 with blue YUKON overprint, CH 75-14-04c. Note grades a pleasing VF25 from PMG with minor soiling on the face, and has a bold manuscript signature. S/N: 295794/C This is also from the Harold Don Allen collection and sports a low estimate of $22,000.
Coin collectors will see a number of key-dates, with the Prince of Canadian Coins at the forefront. The 1921 5-cent fishscale is graded by ICCS as a pleasing VG-8. Also important is an 1885 10-cent piece graded by ICCS MS-62. Both of these have a low estimate of $5,000. Silver dollar collectors will notice a coin with personal history. Canada’s first circulation dollar, issued in 1935 is graded by ANACS AU-58 Details. “JOP” Countermark. Type II. Counterstamped above the date on the reverse, bearing the initials J.O.P for Joseph Oliva Patenaude, a private jeweller in British Columbia.
Token collectors will want to check out a nice Bridge Token – Calèche (Carriage). Graded ICCS VF-20. CH# BT-13. Breton 542. Scratches. Canadian medal collectors will notice a rare Ferguson medal, the highest award in Canadian numismatics. And Hudson’s Bay collectors won’t want to miss a Hudsons Bay Company 1820 One Pound Sterling, 1820 note, MB10-06bi.
We can’t mention everything right now, but expect to hear more about gem Devil’s Face notes, solid radars, low numbers, rare changeovers, and even a sheet of 1989 tens. Make sure you plan on joining us for the Toronto Coin Expo 2021 Fall Sale September 30th and October 1st.