1935 Series $100 note highlights recent Torex auction sale

By Jesse Robitaille

This February, a 117-year-old banknote issued by the Dominion of Canada highlighted a five-session sale hosted by The Canadian Numismatic Company (TCNC) at Torex.

Lot 364 of the February 2017 Torex Auction Sale was a $4 Dominion of Canada note (DC-16) issued in 1900. According to auctioneers, another example graded Gem Uncirculated-65 by Canadian Coin Certification Service (CCCS) previously sold for more than $40,000.

Lot 364 sold on Feb. 24 for $51,750 after a starting bid of $35,000. Its pre-sale estimate was $60,000-$80,000.

“Due to the increased volume of consignments, the sale was composed of five sessions, including a pre- and post-Torex sale to better manage the sheer volume of material to be sold,” said auctioneer Marc Verret, who added the first three sessions included more than 700 lots a piece.

“Overall, the results were quite positive and the auction attendance and the registered internet bidders were strong throughout,” he added. “We thank all the participants, consignors and buyers and look forward to our next sales.”

SESSION ONE

Other session one highlights included Lot 94, a Ships Colonies & Commerce token (Breton 999) graded Very Fine-30 by CCCS. Believed to be the finest example of this “excessively rare type,” it sold for $31,270 after a starting bid of $10,000. Its pre-sale estimate was $25,000-$30,000.

Lot 212, a Weir & Larminie token (Breton 568) encased with a one-cent blue Franklin stamp, was also offered in session one. It was graded About Uncirculated-50 by CCCS and sold for $18,400 after a starting bid of $8,000. Its pre-sale estimate was $20,000-$27,500.

Lot 213 was the same Weir & Larminie token (Breton 568) encased with a three-cent pink Washington stamp. This “excessively rare” piece was graded Extremely Fine-45 by CCCS and sold for $18,400 after a starting bid of $8,000. Its pre-sale estimate was $20,000-$27,500.

Lot 223 was an 1820 North West Company token (Breton 925) – struck in copper, holed and with reeded edges – with a grade of Very Fine-30 given by CCCS. It sold for $8,625 after a starting bid of $7,000. Its pre-sale estimate was $20,000-$27,500.

Moving on to notaphily, Lot 296 was a 1901 Royal Bank of Canada $20 note (CH-630-10-02-12) with a serial number reading “024784”. Graded Very Fine-20 by Paper Money Guaranty (PMG), this rare issue is believed to be the only example remaining in private hands. Only three examples are reported in the Canadian Paper Money Society Journal. This example sold for $29,500 after a starting bid of $25,000. Its pre-sale estimate was $45,000-$55,000.

Rounding out the highlights of session one was Lot 508, a 1954 $5 note (BC-31aA) with a serial number reading “AC0000527”. It was graded Uncirculated-64 by PMG. It sold for $25,875 after a starting bid of $20,000. Its pre-sale estimate was $32,500-$35,000.

SESSION TWO

Session two (Lots 708-1543) was highlighted by two 1875H five-cent coins.

The first coin, Lot 1059, was of the Small Date variety and graded Mint State-65 by Professional Coin Grading Service (PCGS). Described as “fully brilliant and lustrous,” this lot sold for $29,500 after a starting bid of $15,000. Its pre-sale estimate was $45,000-$50,000.

The second coin, Lot 1060, was of the Large Date variety and graded Mint State-64+ by PCGS. Tied for the highest-graded example by PCGS, it sold for $38,812.50 after a starting bid of $25,000. Its pre-sale estimate was $75,000-$80,000.

More Victorian cent highlights include Lot 1175, an 1875H 10-cent coin graded Mint State-65 by International Coin Certification Service (ICCS). The solo highest-graded example according to the ICCS report, it sold for $29,500 after a starting bid of $25,000. Its pre-sale estimate was $70,000-$75,000.

Another highlight included Lot 1179, an 1884 10-cent coin in PCGS Mint State-64. A “top six” example, it sold for $25,300 after a starting bid of $22,000. Its pre-sale estimate was $50,000-$55,000.

Lot 1280 was an 1891 25-cent coin in ICCS Mint State-66. Described as “the best of the best” by auctioneers, this coin realized $19,550 after a starting bid of $10,000. Its pre-sale estimate was $30,000-$40,000.

Lot 1306 was a 1915 25-cent coin in PCGS Mint State-65. In a three-way tie for the finest example known to exist, this coin sold for $18,975 after a starting bid of $12,000. Its pre-sale estimate was $35,000-$40,000.

Another Victorian key date example was Lot 1356, an 1888 50-cent “Obverse 3” in ICCS Mint State-64. It sold for $31,625 after a starting bid of $25,000. Its pre-sale estimate was $60,000-$65,000.

Lot 1376 was a 1932 50-cent coin in PCGS Mint State-65. This coin realized $24,725 after a starting bid of $15,000. Its pre-sale estimate was $45,000-$50,000.

Rounding out the session two highlights was Lot 1454, a 1946 $1 coin in PCGS Mint State-65. It sold for $8,850 after a starting bid of $4,000. Its pre-sale estimate was $10,000-$11,000.

For more information, visit canadiancoinsandpapermoney.com or torex.net.

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