1890H 50 cents expected to bring at least $100k

This February, The Canadian Numismatic Auction Company (TCNAC) will offer a “diverse and historically important selection” of Canadian and world numismatic items, including an “excessively rare” 1890H 50 cents “Obverse 4” that’s expected to bring upwards of $110,000.

To be offered as Lot 1014, the 128-year-old 50-cent variety is graded Mint State-62 by International Coin Certification Service (ICCS). From the Gerald Keller Collection, this key-date issue – described as “excessively rare” for its condition – features “in-depth gold and orange tones over lustre.”

“This coin presents an important opportunity for registry set collectors,” said auctioneer Marc Verret, who added this example “is the second best example ever handled” by TCNAC.

FOUR-SESSION TOREX SALE

The 2,200-lot, four-session sale will include two live auctions held at Toronto’s Hyatt Regency in conjunction with Torex on Feb. 23-24 and two additional Internet sales on Feb. 26-27. All lots are available for viewing during Torex, which runs Feb. 24-25.

Sessions one and two will include Lots 1-523 and 524-1115, respectively, and will feature a range of Canadian coins, banknotes, tokens, U.S. gold and other world rarities.

“We invite you all to come in and view the items as there are definitively some items that will be sold into private collections and not seen again for a very long time,” said Verret. “Lots of hard work and effort have gone into putting this sale together, and we hope that you all have the opportunity to view and bid on some of these amazing items. We look forward to not only to seeing you but look forward to sharing this particularly exciting sale with you all.”

GERALD KELLER COLLECTION

Other top highlights from the Keller Collection include Lot 1005, an 1870 50-cent “No LCW” variety in ICCS Mint State-63. Featuring “intense blues and fire red issue,” this example is also described as “excessively rare for grade.” It’s also the best example seen and handled by TCNAC and is expected to bring between $100,000 and $110,000.

Other coinage highlights include a “great selection” of Canadian five-cent pieces, including Lot 761, an 1870 five cents in ICCS Mint State-67. This “Narrow Date, Raised Border” variety is described by auctioneers as having “superior quality … with extravagant toning.” Again, the best example seen and handled by TCNAC, this coin has a pre-sale estimate of $20,000-$25,000.

In addition, the sale offers an “exciting array” of world silver and gold coins.

“Hence some extreme rarities, possibly some unique along with a multitude of ‘solo highest’ and ‘top-two graded’ items,” added Verret.

NOTAPHILIST’S DELIGHT

Moving on to banknotes, other highlights include a “superb and extremely rare” selection of Province of Canada and Dominion of Canada notes, including a “scarce” 1935 Bank of Canada English text $25 note (BC-11) in Professional Coin Grading Service (PCGS) Gem Uncirculated-65 PPQ (premium paper quality). With a serial number reading “A015648,” this note – to be offered as Lot 385 – is described as an “excessively rare and desirable example.” It has a pre-sale estimate of $37,500-$40,000.

REDFERN & SAINTE-THÉRÈSE COLLECTIONS

The Québec City-based auction house will also offer the second part of the Sainte-Thérèse Collections of Canadian coins, medals and banknotes as well as the Redfern Collection.

“These collections feature an impressive offering of unique pieces, including some of the finest known examples,” said Verret. “We guarantee that several highlights throughout this collection will excite you.”

Highlights include Lot 101, an Edward Murphy 24-karat gold donor medal issued “for the encouragement of commercial education” by the Catholic Commercial Academy of Montréal. Weighing 52.17 grams, this medal is possibly unique in gold. Further research by the auctioneers has shown only one other issue, this in copper, sold through The Nicolet Seminary Collection in 2017 and listed as Leroux #1100.

“No gold example has been seen to date, though its existence was published in an article by The Canadian Antiquarian,” said Verret, who added this lot “should be considered of extreme rarity.”

It’s expected to bring between $7,500 and $10,000.

‘QUALITY AUCTION’

“This is a quality auction,” said Verret. “We expect this to be one of the most prestigious numismatic events of 2018, featuring several rarities never offered to the public. This auction will be unlike any other seen in this country. You will find lots for your viewing pleasure throughout the numerous lots offered in our auction.”

“The attention this auction catalog is getting is exceptional, and every collector who wants to increase the value of their collection will be participating in this sale,” said Verret. “We are accepting mail, fax, email and phone bids right up until the sale, and all Internet bidders can bid safely through our Internet bidding platform.”

For more information, visit auctions.canadiancoinsandpapermoney.com.

Leave a Reply

Canadian Coin News

Canada

Canadian Coin News is Canada's premier source of information about coins, notes and medals.

Although we cover the entire world of numismatics, the majority of our readers are Canadian, and we concentrate on the unique circumstances surrounding collecting in our native land.

Send Us Your Event

Running an event? Send it to us and we will display it on Canadian Coin News!

Submit Event →

Subscribe To 26 Issues For Just $59.99/year

Subscribe today to receive Canada's premier coin publication. Canadian Coin News is available in both paper and digital forms.

Subscribe Now

We acknowledge the financial support of the Government of Canada through the Canada Periodical Fund of the Department of Canadian Heritage.