Canadian numismatics is about to witness something truly extraordinary. This October, Geoffrey Bell Auctions will unveil the Robert (Bob) Graham Collection, a breathtaking assemblage of chartered banknotes and rarities that collectors have only dreamed of seeing offered in a sale. For those who chase history, rarity, and pedigree, this is the moment.
At the heart of the offering is the legendary 1892 Canadian Bank of Commerce $5 Yukon overprint, a note tied directly to the Klondike Gold Rush. With only a handful of examples known, and this one in exceptional condition, it represents the pinnacle of Canadian paper money collecting. Few auctions can boast a headliner of such renown.
But the Graham Collection doesn’t stop there. Imagine holding in your hands an 1867 Canadian Bank of Commerce $2 note, signed by a young B. E. Walker—later to become president of the bank—and acquired directly from his own grandson. This is not just a banknote; it’s a once-in-a-lifetime link to the very people who shaped Canadian financial history.
Other highlights among the 150 Graham lots only heighten the excitement: an 1875 Imperial Bank $10 note, one of just five known, and a scarce 1889 Merchants Bank of Prince Edward Island $1 note, both extraordinary pieces seldom seen outside private collections. Each is steeped in history, backed by notable pedigrees, and defined by a level of rarity collectors relentlessly pursue. And this is only the beginning – further selections from the Graham Collection are slated for release in 2026, ensuring anticipation will continue to build.
Beyond the initial Graham dispersal, the Oct. 3 auction – part of the Toronto Coin Expo – will also feature a remarkable lineup of consignments from other important collections. Chief among them is a rare 1873 Treaty No. 3 silver medal, a historic presentation piece tied to the Northwest Angle Treaty and boasting pedigrees to J.D. Ferguson, Michael Kolman, and John J. Ford Jr. With strong demand for treaty medals in recent years, this piece is expected to draw worldwide attention and could even set a new record. Combined with more than 2,000 communion tokens, rare Canadian errors, decimal coinage, and the Botany Collection, these consignments ensure the sale is not only about Graham’s treasures but about a much broader celebration of Canadian numismatic history.
The full story, with expanded coverage of the sale and its standout lots, appears in the newest issue of Canadian Coin News released Sept. 16. Stay informed on the hobby’s most important developments—subscribe to CCN today and never miss an issue.