An “outstanding” selection of numismatic material – some things rare, more things interesting, and still more unexpected – will be heading into downtown Toronto this November 18-20 for another highly anticipated Torex Auction.
In what’s arguably the auction house’s “best sale of the past 10 years,” The Canadian Numismatic Company (TCNC) is slated to offer more than 1,800 lots across six major collections as well as selections from 66 consignors across North America.
“We’re happy with all our sales, but this particular one – especially at this given time, with the market where it’s at today – is encouraging and exciting to put together,” said TCNC pesident Marc Verret. “It’s one of the best sales we’ve had, or put out to the market, in the past 10 years.”
The first two sessions will be held Nov. 18-19 in the Hyatt Regency Hotel’s Regency Ballroom, and session three will be held Nov. 20 via the Internet, phone, fax and snail mail.
“Every section of the sale has a highlight or highlights,” said Verret. “There’s a major piece, or a top-graded piece, or an excessively popular piece in every denomination in this sale. We have so much stuff that’s unexpected and interesting and rare that it’s really going to make for an outstanding sale.”
HIGHLIGHTS
The excitement surrounding the upcoming Torex Auction is not unwarranted. Verret said among the top highlights is The Eastside Copper Collection “Rare Victorian & Edwardian VII in Mint State (MS)-66 and -67 Red” and some “very rare obverse varieties, which bring a lot of interest as well.” What’s more, there are a handful of Specimen coins and a large selection of certified banknotes slated to cross the block this November 18-20.
“There’s a balance between every denomination we’re selling,” said Verret. “There are large lots for penny collectors, but there are also interesting lots for everyone to come out and be a part of the sale.”
Other highlights include The British Columbia Collection of Canadian Coins, which features an “impressive offering” of Gem silver dollars, including some of the finest-known examples in existence. The auction will also see the continuation of the sale of The Phil Harter Collection, which features newly discovered Chartered banknotes as well as some highly graded Dominion of Canada notes.
‘ONCE-IN-A-LIFETIME OPPORTUNITY’
One of the big museum pieces – described by auctioneers as a “once-in-a-lifetime opportunity” – is Lot 999, a 1921 50-cent ICCS & PCGS graded MS66.
“It’s a fabulous piece – it’s attractively toned with no flaws – and an almost perfect example of 1921 half.”
This “fantastic issue with superb fields” is estimated to cross the block at $375,000-$400,000; it has an opening bid of $300,000.
Another highlight is Lot 586, an 1886 Obv. 1 one-cent piece in ICCS MS-66 Red.
“This is another issue that basically is the best of the best,” said Verret. “It’s the top-graded piece out there – a full red lustrous coin – so there’s no hidden flaws. The coin is absolutely stupendous.”
Although it “may realize over estimate,” it’s pre-auction estimates are $18,000-$22,000 with an opening bid of $6,000.
Another “extremely rare and desirable” coin is Lot 992A, an 1914 50-cent in ICCS/PCGS MS-66.
“Again, this is the finest-graded piece known,” said Verret. “The thing important with these dates is they’re key date coins.”
Verret explained key date coins are those with lower mintages, which means increased rarity.
“They’re produced in less quantity, so there are less out there for the average collector,” he said. “It’s always a question of supply-and-demand, and these are low-mintage coins – and they’re in MS condition – so it brings up the rarity.”
Another key date highlight is Lot 977, an 1904 50-cent in PCGS MS-65+.
“This is another coin that’s the best – the highest-graded – on the market,” said Verret.
With “spectacular original green and blue tones over strong lustre,” this coin has an estimate of $75,000-$85,000 and an opening bid of $30,000.
VARIETIES
Among the top variety highlights is Lot 959, an 1872H Inverted A/V in PCGS/ICCS MS-64.
“It’s a really excessively rare type variety and the highest grade known,” said Verret, who added the coin has a pre-sale estimate of $150,000-$175,000 and an opening bid of $105,000.
For more information, visit canadiancoinsandpapermoney.com.