Two treaty medals offered during the Canadian Numismatic Company’s Extravaganze II sale, which kicked off on Nov. 11, sold for almost triple their presale estimates.
The first two lots which opened the four-day action featured two “extremely scarce and historically important” Indian Treaty medals. Lot 1500 is an Indian Treaty No. 2 Silver Medal from 1871 that “represents/covers much of southwestern Manitoba and the Interlake Region – Anishinaabe of southern Manitoba and Eastern Woodlands Indigenous People.”
The lot description adds: “Signed on August 21, 1871, the medal was offered on behalf of Queen Victoria to the nine Nations Leaders who signed the Treaty. Treaty medals were gifts presented to Chiefs who entered into these Treaties in exchange for various goods and Indigenous rights to hunting, fishing and natural resources on reserve lands and offered a lasting visual reminder to all the participants of their treaty commitments.”
Lot 1500 sold for $82,950. All prices realized include the buyer’s premium.
Meanwhile, Lot 1501 featured an Indian Treaty No. 3 Medal. According to the lot description, “designated as the Treaty of the North West Angle, it was signed between the Saulteaux and Ojibway tribes on October 3, 1873.”
The reverse on both medals depicts a commissioner of the second rank standing facing right, shaking hands with an Indigenous leader facing left in full dress against a view of a teepee and a rising sun. Each silver medal measures 76 millimetres in diameter and weighs 305 grams. It hammered at $95,600. Both medals had a pre-sale estimate of $30,000-plus.
Another lot that drew a lot of attention at the 2023 Extravaganza II sale is the elusive “King of Canadian Coins”: a 1921 silver 50-cent coin graded PCGS Mint State-63.
“Fully brilliant and lustrous with a hint of golden tones,” the lot description states. “A highly attractive and beautiful example to add to the best of collections! Among the rarest Canadian pieces we have handled in over 40 years. Market Trends suggest $60,000 in VG-8 condition. This coin offers a huge potential for the advanced collector or investor. Here is a great opportunity to purchase this elusive treasure.”
While Lot 1863 had a pre-sale estimate of $200,000-plus, it sold for $167,300.
Lot 1544, another “Canadian treasure” featuring the “New Brunswick 1862 20-cent plain edge pattern with original leather case. Graded PCGS Choice Specimen-62, this “ultra rarity is one of four known pieces and the other three specimens are now believed to be in different museums.” The rarity relates to the obverse that is engraved with: G. W. WYON / OBIT / MARCH 27th 1862 / ÆTAT / 26 YEARS in five lines. Previously sold in 1991 and 2019, this rarity has a pre-sale estimate of $10,000-plus and sold for almost double — $19,120.
Lot 1831 featured a 1936-dated 25 cents with the Bar variety in PCGS Superb Gem MS-66, with a “wonderful array of intense sunset reds under lustrous greens and blue tones.” With a pre-sale estimate of $5,000-plus, Lot 1831 sold for $5,975.
The Extravaganza Sale II continued Sunday night, showing banknotes.
As for banknotes to be offered during Session 2 of the four-day sale, collectors had the opportunity to bid on two stunning 1935 $100 banknotes: one each in English and French.
Graded by Legacy Currency as Superb Gem Uncirculated-66PPQ, Lot 2229 features the English version of this “excessively rare” $100 note.
“Amongst the finest example we have ever seen,” states the lot description. “This note has superb eye appeal, great margins and full embossing. Wow factor in every aspects! So flashy and attractive. Simply a splendid example, one of unforgettable quality and a highlight of this sale.” With a pre-sale estimate of $75,000-plus, this lot did not receive any bids.
Meanwhile, Legacy Currency graded the French text version of the 1935 $100 note as Choice Uncirculated-62PPQ.
“Wow! Excessively rare French text issue in choice condition with nice eye appeal, good margins, and superb embossing,” the lot description states. “This would be an important addition to a major Canadian museum, financial institution collection or a major highlight of a personal collection. Among the most impressive and most significant Bank of Canada banknote ever offered in our auction.” With a pre-sale estimate of $40,000-plus, Lot 2231 sold for 38,837.50.
With a presale estimate of $200,000-plus, Lot 2232 featured the only $500 banknote issued by the Bank of Canada. “Excessively rare and desirable with only a handful of examples to exist,” the lot description states. “It features a portrait of Sir John A. Macdonald, the back of the note is an allegorical figure representing fertility. An extreme rarity. The level of interest that this beautiful sought-after banknote will generate is beyond imagination. This is only the fourth and best example we have ever offered in our auctions. An incredible opportunity to acquire another Canadian rarity.”
Lot 2232 sold for $237,000.
Meanwhile, the 1937 $1000 note described as “a pristine issue with great eye appeal, good margins and superb embossing. Amongst the most impressive and most significant Bank of Canada banknote ever offered in our auction. A unique opportunity to acquire a true WOW note.” Lot 2261 has a pre-sale estimate of $40,000-plus, hammered at $38,240.
For all the auction results from the first two sale days, visit TCNC’s website.
The auction continues today, at 7 p.m., with Session three offering 472 lots in the “Canadian and World Gold, Tokens and RCM Tokens” sale. The final session runs on Tuesday, also starting at 7 p.m., featuring 569 lots in the “Canadian Coins, Banknotes and Militaria” session.