With the Fall 2016 Toronto Coin Expo slated to officially open tomorrow, bidders have begun arriving in downtown Toronto today for session one of the 948-lot Coin Expo Sale.
Hosted by New Brunswick’s Geoffrey Bell Auctions, the sale runs today and tomorrow. Lot viewing is from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. each day with bidding beginning at 6 p.m. The auction is free for the public to attend.
Among the sale’s highlights (and an abundance of paper money pieces) is a rare “Dawson” overprint banknote. Offered in session two as Lot 757, this 1901 Canadian Bank of Commerce $5 note (Charlton 75-14-06a) is estimated to cross the block at $40,000-$50,000.
Despite being 115 years old, the banknote “grabs your attention” and is difficult to look away from, according to auctioneer Brian Bell, of Geoffrey Bell Auctions, official auctioneer for the semi-annual Coin Expo.
“We have offered many trophy notes in the past, but this one takes the cake,” said Bell, who’s also owner of Moncton, N.B.’s Coin Cabinet. “It is totally original and the paper has the firmness and bold colours one would expect in an old time VF [Very Fine].”
Only three examples are known to exist, and this example is “likely the best,” according to Bell.
Jared Stapleton (centre) promotes Toronto Coin Expo at a North York Coin Club (NYCC) meeting alongside NYCC President Bill O’Brien (left) and First Vice-President Henry Nienhuis (right).
COIN EXPO WEEKEND
The semi-annual Coin Expo is held each spring and fall at the Toronto Reference Library on 789 Yonge St. This year’s gathering boasts a vast bourse with more than 30 “internationally renowned” dealers and thousands of coins, banknotes and other numismatic treasures from Canada, the U.S. and abroad. Regular daily admission is $6; however, children 16-and-under are free.
There are also a series of educational workshops – free to attend for children and attendees of this year’s Expo – slated to take place in the library’s Bram and Appel Salon in conjunction with the show.
On Oct. 1, Canadian Coin News Columnist and Consulting Editor Jeff Fournier will team up with well-known Waterloo coin collector and teacher Chris Boyer to “set kids on fire” with two presentations between 10 a.m and 11:45 a.m.
Later that day at 12:30 p.m., Francois Rufiange will host his numismatic exam, which will test participants’ examination and grading skills. There will be a maximum of 20 participants, and registration is required.
Samantha Pierre will also be attending Coin Expo on Saturday, Oct. 1.
Also on Oct. 1, Miss Teenage Canada Samantha Pierre will attend the show from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. for autographs.
SPECIAL NOTICE
According to a recent announcement, Chris Faulkner’s forthcoming book Coins Are Like Songs: The Upper Canada Coppers, 1815-1841 will not be released at the Fall 2016 Toronto Coin Expo due to printer issues. The J. Douglas Ferguson Historical Research Foundation will announce the future release date when printing is complete.
For more information, visit torontocoinexpo.ca.