The Canadian Numismatic Company’s Prominence XIII sale opened last night with a headline result for one of its most historically significant offerings, the 1899 Indian Treaty No. 8 silver medal, which realized $107,550 with buyer’s premium.
It is the second Indian Treaty medal sold by TCNC to surpass the $100,000 mark. Two years ago, at the 2023 Royal Canadian Numismatic Association convention auction in Halifax, the firm sold a 1874 Indian Treaty Medal No. 4 for $113,525, including buyer’s premium, against a pre–sale estimate of $25,000–plus. That medal was purchased on behalf of the Pasqua First Nation in Saskatchewan, where it is returning as a symbolic piece of the Nation’s heritage and a tool to help teach youth about the historical treaty relationship.
Offered as Lot 1 in the current sale, the Treaty No. 8 medal came directly from the descendants of James Andrew Joseph McKenna, a key figure in the 1899 negotiations alongside Indian Commissioner David Laird and James Hamilton Ross. Representing more than 30 First Nations, including the Fort McMurray First Nation #468, the medal was described as extremely scarce, with this example marking its first appearance on the public market. Estimated at $75,000–plus, the piece moved well past expectations in the opening session.
Other early highlights included several major silver dollar and early Canadian coin issues that drew strong participation from bidders.
Lot 110, a 1947 $1 “Maple Leaf” dollar graded ICCS Superb Gem Mint State-66, sold for $15,535. Promoted by the firm as among the finest examples handled in more than 40 years, the coin displayed pristine lustre with light purple and russet toning and was targeted by registry-set collectors.
Another sought-after silver dollar followed shortly after. Lot 117, a 1948 $1 graded ICCS Gem Mint State-65, realized $13,443.75. The gem-quality example showed delicate pink and russet tones over full lustre and compared favourably with a similar piece that brought $15,470 in the company’s Apr. 2019 sale.
Lot 178, a 1910 50-cent Victorian Leaves variety graded PCGS Superb Gem Mint State-65, featured brilliant surfaces, even toning and exceptional lustre, drawing strong interest before selling for $20,912.50.
Not every key rarity met its opening bid. Lot 356, the 1921 five-cent piece graded PCGS Mint State-65 and widely known as “The Prince of Canadian coins,” opened at $75,000 but did not receive an opening bid. Lot 305, the 1913 10-cent Broad Leaves variety in PCGS Mint State-63, also remained unsold after failing to meet its $21,000 opening.
The seven-session Prominence XIII sale continues tonight with a dedicated focus on Canadian banknotes, part of what TCNC has called one of the strongest paper-money offerings in private hands. Among the upcoming highlights are the newly discovered 1838 Province of Nova Scotia £1 Treasury Note described as possibly unique; an elusive 1864 Merchants Bank of Canada $2 note; and a complete 1935 Bank of Canada English-text set, each of which drew early attention in the auction preview.
Prominence XIII runs through Nov. 19 with more than 3,000 lots of Canadian coins, tokens and banknotes scheduled across the week. To view the remaining six sessions, click here.