Nearly two dozen notes from a long-running chartered bank founded in Montréal by the sons of an iconic brewing magnate have drawn the attention of notaphilists as they prepare to cross the auction block this April. In business as a note-issuing bank for 88 years, including seven decades operating under a charter, the Molsons Bank formed in 1837 amid widespread financial panic and the beginning of a six-year global depression. The bank’s origins also tie into the armed rebellions first orchestrated that year by insurgents opposed to Britain’s colonial government in Upper Canada and Lower Canada (now Ontario and Québec, respectively). Against the backdrop of about a dozen battles and skirmishes plus regular civil disobedience and protests, the Lower Canadian government suspended payments in specie (coins, including bullion, and not banknotes), which proved to be a boon to the Molson family’s early banking endeavours. During its April 14-15 Premier Auction, Colonial Acres will offer an unprecedented 22-note grouping of 1837-1922 Molsons Bank notes, most of them certified by Banknote Certification Service (BCS). The auction will be held during the National Postage Stamp and Coin Show, hosted by Trajan Publishing. Continue reading →