By Jesse Robitaille
This April, for the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic began in early 2020, Colonial Acres will hold its biannual Premier Auction live and in person.
While Colonial held its past four Premier Auctions online with no in-person floor bidding, this year’s spring event marks a return to the in-person auction after the Ontario government has lifted nearly all of its major pandemic restrictions, including on indoor public gatherings. The two-session auction will take place on April 8-9 during Trajan Publishing’s National Postage Stamp & Coin Show at the Hilton Mississauga/Meadowvale hotel in Mississauga, Ont., where more than 1,300 lots will cross the block.
“Running the auction in a live setting for the first time in over two years is going to be exciting,” said auctioneer Kirk Parsons, a co-owner with the Kitchener, Ont.-based auction house. “Many customers and bidders alike that attend the show have been long-time friends and loyal customers, and being able to communicate and talk in person and enjoy the camaraderie that goes along with coin shows and live auctions is something we have all missed.”
Both sessions kick off at 5:30 p.m. (EST), but bidding opens online via iCollector on March 18. In addition to online, bids can also be submitted by mail, email, fax, telephone and at Colonial’s Kitchener office.
SESSION ONE
In the first session, a series of Newfoundland highlights will cross the block from Lots 346-383.
A 1941C Newfoundland cent, featuring a “C” mintmark on the reverse to signify the coin was struck in Ottawa, is offered in Mint-State (MS) condition as Lot 349. Certified as MS-65 by International Coin Certification Service (ICCS), which added a “Red” designation, the coin is described by auctioneers as being “scarce in this grade point.” It’s estimated at $2,500.
A 1946C Newfoundland five-cent coin – also with a “C” mintmark on the reverse – offers an “exceptional example of this rare, highly sought-after coin,” according to auctioneers, who called it a “pristine gem.” In ICCS MS-66 with a “Heavy Cameo” designation, the coin is nearly full white with a proof appearance and carries an estimate of $13,000 as Lot 355.
An 1865 Newfoundland $2 gold coin, the denomination’s first year of issue, will be offered as Lot 375 with an estimate of $1,950. Certified as About Uncirculated-55 (AU-55) by ICCS, it’s one of 10,000 $2 gold coins struck for Newfoundland that year.
The only gold circulation denomination issued by a British colony,
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