A remarkable piece of Western Canadian history headlines the latest issue of Canadian Coin News as an 1870 Hudson’s Bay Company promissory note issued at Fort Garry takes centre stage in The Canadian Numismatic Company’s official 2026 RCNA Convention auction in Winnipeg. Bearing a May 1870 Fort Garry transit handstamp, the note offers a tangible connection to the dramatic period surrounding the Red River Settlement and the transfer of Rupert’s Land to Canada.
The historic note is part of a landmark sale featuring more than 1,300 lots drawn from four major collections and consignments from across North America. Appropriately for a convention being held in Winnipeg, the Fort Garry note serves as a fitting symbol of the city’s pivotal role in Canada’s early economic and political development.
Collectors of Canadian coins will be equally captivated by two of the country’s most celebrated rarities. Among the highlights is an 1870 No LCW 50-cent piece graded PCGS MS-63, one of the finest known examples of the famous variety lacking engraver Leonard Charles Wyon’s initials. The coin carries an estimate exceeding $125,000 and is expected to attract significant attention from advanced collectors.
Also crossing the block is the legendary 1921 50-cent piece, often called the “King of Canadian Coins.” Graded ICCS AU-50 and estimated at more than $100,000, the specimen boasts attractive natural toning and strong eye appeal. Its appearance in About Uncirculated condition represents a rare opportunity, as most surviving examples are found in substantially lower grades.
The auction’s strength extends well beyond headline rarities. Collectors will find key Canadian silver dollars, exceptional early large cents, scarce chartered banknotes and an extensive selection of Hudson’s Bay Company material. Particularly intriguing is a possible unlisted 1836 Commercial Bank note that may represent the only example currently known to the marketplace.
With offerings spanning the fur trade era, Victorian coinage, Canada’s formative banking years and modern circulation rarities, TCNC’s RCNA Convention sale promises something for every collector. Read the full story in the latest issue of Canadian Coin News to discover why auctioneers believe several featured pieces may not reappear on the market for many years.