Auction preview: Toronto Coin Expo Spring Sale continues today with session two

The second and final session of the Toronto Coin Expo Spring Sale 2017 will begin at 6 p.m. in downtown Toronto.

Hosted by official Toronto Coin Expo auctioneer Geoffrey Bell Auctions in conjunction with the biannual show, the two-day, 2,494-lot sale began yesterday with session one. Following lot viewing between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. today, session two will begin with the sale of the Covered Bridge Collection, which includes a set of low serial number banknotes, each with the same “000005” ending.

The set of eight 1935 Series banknotes includes six in French (with denominations of $2, $5, $10, $20, $25 and $50) and two in English (with denominations of $10 and $20). Altogether, the Covered Bridge Collection includes 2,000 “highly prized banknotes” and is expected to realize more than $1 million.

Lot 895 is this French-language 1935 Series $20 banknote (shown above) that’s expected to bring upwards of $20,000.

FRENCH $20 NOTE

The French Series $20 is such a rarity to start with, combined with the low serial number ‘5’ and the Choice Uncirculated condition assigned by PMG (Paper Money Guaranty), this note will surely command spirited bidding,” said auctioneer Brian Bell, who also owns the Coin Cabinet in Moncton, N.B.

“Its large seal cousin should attract similar attention being the same choice condition. I suspect if any one note will be sold separately from the set it may be one of these beauties.”

The French $20 note will be offered as Lot 895 and has a start price $7,500 and a pre-sale estimate of $15,000-$20,000.

“A key note to the collection, mystery surrounds this note on why an EPQ (Exceptional Paper Quality) designation was left off the tag, considering we had the set in our hands and this piece had nice paper quality with plenty of embossing,” said Bell. “This note will garner the respect it deserves; expect spirited bidding.”

ENGLISH $20 NOTE

The previous lot, Lot 894, will see the English $20 note cross the block.

“A Bank of Canada trophy note, this French issue is on the ultra-rare list. Fifty-eight notes are on the registry with only six assigned uncirculated designations,” said Bell. “This note is worthy of estimate.”

It’s expected to bring $20,000-$22,000.

1935 SERIES HIGHLIGHTS

LOT No.

ITEM

GRADE

ESTIMATE

890

Banque du Canada $2 banknote

PCGS Choice About New-58 PPQ

$5,000-$7,000

891

Banque du Canada $5 banknote

PCGS Choice New-63 PPQ

$6,000-$8,000

892

Bank of Canada $10 banknote

PCGS Choice About New-58

$2,000-$3,000

893

Banque du Canada $10 banknote

PCGS Choice About New-58

$3,000-$4,000

894

Bank of Canada $20 banknote

PMG Choice Uncirculated-64 EPQ

$20,000-$22,000

895

Banque du Canada $20 banknote

PMG Choice Uncirculated-64

$15,000-$20,000

895A

Bank of Canada $25 banknote

PMG Choice Uncirculated-64

$30,000-$40,000

895B

Banque du Canada $50 banknote

PMG Choice Uncirculated-64 (with pinholes)

$15,000-$20,000

Lot 1122 is this $4 banknote (shown above) issued by La Banque Jacques Cartier in 1870. It has an estimate of $20,000-$30,000.

CHARTERED BANK NOTES

Despite the high expectations for the set of 1935 Series notes, Bell said another section, this focusing on chartered bank notes, will be “the biggest surprise to many.”

“Such an offering hasn’t been seen since the King Collection, offered at the RCNA (Royal Canadian Numismatic Association) in Saint John.”

Among the highlights of this section are a pair of $4 notes issued by La Banque Jacques Cartier in 1870.

The first example, Lot 1122, is expected to bring $20,000-$30,000.

“Charlton states no known issued notes,” said Bell. “This trophy note will attract the most serious of collectors.”

The second example, Lot 1123, has a pre-sale estimate of $10,000-$15,000.

Lot 1223 is this $20 Union Bank of Newfoundland that’s expected to bring upwards of $25,000.

Other chartered bank highlights include a trio of highly graded notes (with denominations of $2, $10 and $20) issued by the Union Bank of Newfoundland in the 1880s.

“For the collector who focuses on condition and beauty, the Union Bank of Newfoundland trio will attract your attention. The last ones we offered were from the Geoffrey Bell Collection and garnered record prices,” said Bell, who added the 1889 $50 note brought $42,000.

Lot 1221, the $2 Union Bank of Newfoundland note, is graded PMG Choice Uncirculated-63. It has a pre-sale estimate of $4,000-$5,000.

The following lot is the $10 denomination and was graded Choice Uncirculated-64 EPQ by PMG. It’s expected to bring $12,000-$15,000.

Lastly, Lot 1223 will see the $20 Union Bank of Newfoundland note cross the block. Also graded Choice Uncirculated-64 EPQ by PMG, this lot has a pre-sale estimate of $20,000-$25,000.

For more information, visit gbellauctions.com or torontocoinexpo.ca.

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