A reportedly unique collection of 1894 Bank of British Columbia banknote proofs, estimated at $30,000, will headline the numismatic offerings in All Nations Stamp and Coin’s milestone auction on Nov. 14.
The Vancouver auction house’s 1,586th sale marks another chapter under new owner Firmin Wyndels, who acquired the long-established business earlier this year from Brian Grant Duff. Wyndels also owns Victoria-based Weeda Stamps and Garden City Philatelic Auctions.
Among the highlights is Lot 167, comprising 12 uncirculated black proof pieces associated with the Bank of British Columbia’s 1894 banknote issue. The material includes face, back and vignette sheets of four, representing 48 impressions in total. All Nations describes the group as likely unique and traces its provenance to the American Bank Note Company archives, with a subsequent connection to collector Charles Moore.
According to the auction house, the proofs were overlooked when Christie’s dispersed material from the American Bank Note Company archives approximately 36 years ago. The group carries a $30,000 estimate and represents one of the more unusual offerings of Canadian chartered bank material to reach the market.
The Bank of British Columbia, established in Victoria in 1862, was among the financial institutions serving the province during its early development. Its 1894 issue was the bank’s final banknote series, and surviving issued notes are exceptionally difficult to obtain. Proofs and specimens provide collectors with another means of acquiring examples of the bank’s currency designs.
Coin collectors will also find Canadian decimal material in the sale, including a 1913 George V silver 10-cent piece featuring the Small Leaves variety. Graded MS-66 but described as having been whizzed, the coin is offered as Lot 178, with the auction house citing a catalogue value of approximately $2,500.
Philatelic offerings include Canadian and British North American stamps and postal history from The Vancouver Island Collection, along with Canadian semi-official airmail stamps and Chinese material from The True North Collection.
Among the stamp highlights is Lot 71, a 1926 Patricia Airways semi-official airmail stamp with Haileybury–Rouyn and Red Lake overprints. All Nations reports that fewer than 200 examples were issued. The stamp carries a 2027 catalogue value of $1,500.
Other offerings include a 12-pence black Queen Victoria specimen proof, an 1860 New Brunswick five-cent Charles Connell issue, a Great Britain £1 Postal Union Congress stamp and United States Zeppelin airmail issues.
The online auction begins closing at approximately 1:30 p.m. Pacific time on Nov. 14. All Nations does not charge a buyer’s premium or additional credit card fees. Collectors can view the catalogue and submit bids through allnationsstampandcoin.com, or contact the firm at 604-684-4613.