A rare and previously unknown 1909 $5 note from the Union Bank of Halifax will take centre stage this Friday, May 30, in Stack’s Bowers Galleries’ Canadian paper money auction, part of its May 2025 World Collectors Choice Online Auction.
The newly surfaced note – long believed to be unissued – is expected to draw major attention from collectors of Canadian chartered banknotes and Atlantic financial history.
Certified PMG Very Fine-25, the 1909 $5 note (Charlton #735-16-02) is the first fully issued example of the bank’s final note ever recorded. Until now, the Charlton Standard Catalogue listed it with the remark: “no known issued notes.” While a few proofs were previously documented, no fully issued examples had ever surfaced—until now.
“This is a first public offering,” said Adem Karisik, Canada’s consignment director at Stack’s Bowers. “One of the many notable highlights of the May sale is this green-background Union Bank of Halifax 1909 $5, which previously had no known issued examples.”
The note is listed as lot 30109 and carries a pre-sale estimate of $25,000 to $45,000 US.
Maritime history
The Union Bank of Halifax operated in Nova Scotia from 1856 until its 1910 merger with the Royal Bank of Canada. The 1909 issue marked its final series, and most notes were believed to have been redeemed shortly after the merger. Its 1900-design counterpart – with an identical layout – is extremely rare, with only four known survivors, one of which is held in the National Currency Collection.
Over 400 lots
The 1909 Halifax note leads a strong offering of 415 Canadian paper money lots in a live online session opening Friday, May 30 at 9 a.m. PDT.
The sale features a broad range of chartered, Dominion, and Bank of Canada issues, with many notes offered in top grades or as sole-known survivors. Collectors of all levels will find material of interest.
More highlights
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Lot 30068: A $3 note dated Aug. 31, 1837 from the short-lived Niagara Suspension Bridge Bank (CH #535-10-04-04), graded PMG Fine-12. It’s the first example ever offered by Stack’s Bowers and is estimated at $5,000–$7,000 US.
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Lot 30111: An 1889 $10 Union Bank of Newfoundland note (CH #750-16-06), graded PMG Choice Uncirculated-63 EPQ. This engraved note, designed by the American Bank Note Company, features a sailing ship, a Newfoundland dog, and sailors. It’s new to the census and estimated at $17,000–$30,000 US.
How to bid
The Canadian paper money session is part of Stack’s Bowers’ World Collectors Choice Online Auction, which opened May 8 and concludes in phases through the end of the month. Bidders can browse the full catalogue and participate at stacksbowers.com.