Last week, All Nations Stamp and Coin hosted its weekly auction, which included two strong numismatic sales in the final 10 lots.
Lot 194 of All Nations Auction No. 1063 included five different 1965 silver dollars, each in a Capital type set holder, in Brilliant Uncirculated (BU) condition.
“That was the beginning of mass marketing of Canadian coins by the Mint,” said auctioneer and All Nations owner Brian Grant Duff. “Most people find it hard to understand the differences between the 1965 silver dollars, so it was a nice opportunity for someone to get a BU set of silver dollars and count the number of beads on each.”
The set more than doubled its pre-sale estimate of $100, hammering down for $242.
“It was one of those times when a couple guys fell in love with, and it went for more than you’d expect,” said Duff, who added the 1965 year-date is popular among long-time collectors. “Those guys focus on the year, but much of that material is being ignored and scrapped as fast as possible.”
1878 DC-8a
This 1878 Dominion of Canada (DC-8a) Payable at Montreal $1 banknote crossed the auction block for $440.
Another highlight was lot 200, an 1878 Dominion of Canada (DC-8a) Payable at Montreal $1 banknote that realized $440 after a pre-sale estimate of $250.
“That stuff is relatively uncommon here in the west,” said Duff, whose business is based out of Vancouver. “It came out of one of my clients’ mom’s safety deposit boxes. That’s the first piece in the group; there are more to come.”
Duff said the odds of a nearly 140-year-old banknote surviving in Very Good-plus condition are unlikely.
The DC-8a more than doubled its pre-sale estimate of $250.
“Any time those things survive, the local market starves for them,” he added. “The dealers try to buy them for retail, but then the collectors come in and take it.”
Each of the sale’s 200 lots crossed the auction block.
For more information about All Nations Stamp and Coin Auction No. 1063, click here.