Top 10 most valuable Canadian banknotes sold at auction in 2023
By thecanadiannumismatist | Tuesday, November 28, 2023
Here's the Top 10 most valuable Canadian banknotes sold at auction in 2023 so far. Prices are in Canadian currency.
#1 - $432,000 - Bank of Canada 500 dollars 1935 - PCGS AU-53
In 2023, a LCG VF-20 example also sold at the RCNA auction for $177,750 and later that year, a PMG VF-25 example sold for $237,000.
A LCG EF-45 sold in 2021 for $337,812. Only 10 to 15 $500 1935 are currently known.
This was the only $500 note ever issued by the Bank. Printed by CBN, it features a portrait of Sir John A. Macdonald, Canada's first prime minister, wearing a fur-collared coat. Will Ford of ABN engraved the portrait. On the back of the note is an allegorical figure representing fertility.
In October 2014, at Torex, a PMG VF-25 500 dollars 1935 (#A00869) banknote sold for $97,750CAD.
Bank of Canada 500 dollars 1935 banknotes »
#2 - $180,840 - Bank of Canada 20 dollars 1935 - PMG CUNC-64
Low serial number and french text issue (F000007). It first sold in March, and sold again in December for $114,240.
Bank of Canada 20 dollars 1935 banknotes »
#3 - $98,640 - Province of Canada 5 dollars 1866 - PMG F-15
Features a portrait of Queen Victoria on the left while a vignette of a sailboat sits on the right. Also features a centralized vignette of the coat of arms flanked by a seated allegory and a lion. These notes were redeemable at the Receiver General's office in the city of Montreal.
#4 - $77,025 - Bank of Canada 100 dollars 1935 - LCG GUNC-66
Only 17,500 French version printed, this is one of the highest grade known for this note.
Printed by CBN, the $100 note carries a portrait of Prince Henry, Duke of Gloucester, third son of King George V and Queen Mary. The prince is wearing the uniform of a captain of the 10th Royal Hussars Regiment. The portrait photographer was Vandyke, and the engraving was done by ABN's Will Ford. On the back of the note is an allegorical figure representing commerce and industry.
Previous sales:
- 2022 - LCG UNC-62 - $37,000
- 2020 - PMG GUNC-65 - $33,000
Bank of Canada 100 dollars 1935 banknotes »
#5 - $68,544 - Bank of Canada 20 dollars 1935 - PCGS GUNC-65
An English text issue with small seal also sold in 2023 for $39,435 (LCG GUNC-65) and a CUNC-64 (French text issue) sold for $44,438.
Bank of Canada 20 dollars 1935 banknotes »
#6 - $59,184 - Union Bank of Newfoundland 10 dollars 1889 - PMG CUNC-64
#7 - $53,775 - Bank of Canada 1 dollar 1954 Devil's Face - LCG UNC-62
Serial number #10000000, it is considered a special serial number/ten million note. Only 2 of them known for this denomination and with the devil's face hair.
A 2 dollars 1954 modified portrait ten million note also sold in 2023 for $35,850 (LCG AU-58).
Bank of Canada 1 dollars 1954 devil's face banknotes »
#8 - $53,325 - Dominion of Canada 50,000 dollars 1918 Proof - LCG CUNC-64
These were only issued for bank use. They were never available to the general public. 1918 $50,000 notes only exist as proofs and specimens. A handful of examples to exist.
#9 - $45,900 - Bank of Canada 1,000 dollars 1935 - PMG GUNC-67
This banknote was featured in Charlton 24th Edition.
The $1,000 note was printed by CBN. The front carries a portrait of Sir Wilfrid Laurier, Canada's seventh prime minister. The portrait, which depicts Laurier wearing a Prince Albert coat, was engraved by ABN's master engraver, Edwin Gunn. The back of the note features an allegorical figure representing security. Security was a stock image owned by ABN-the company had used the same allegorical figure as early as 1917 on an issue of Russian bonds.
Previous sales:
- 2021 - PMG GUNC-65 - $25,850
- 2020 - PMG GUNC-65 - $20,200
- 2019 - PMG GUNC-66 - $29,960
Bank of Canada 1,000 dollars 1935 banknotes »
#10 - $42,068 - Bank of Canada 1,000 dollars 1937 - LCG GUNC-67
The $1,000 note was issued several years after the rest of the 1937 series. It took on the rose tint of the 1935 $20 note but retained the portrait of Sir Wilfrid Laurier, Canada's first French-Canadian prime minister, as well as the security allegory on the back.
This note was described as:
The Best of The Best, this is a pristine issue with great eye appeal, good margins and superb embossing. This would be an important addition to a Canadian Museum, financial institution collection or a major highlight of a personal collection.
Bank of Canada 1,000 dollars 1937 banknotes »
#11 - $40,630 - Molsons Bank 7 dollars 1871 - PMG VG-8
14 known with at least 6 in Institional collections.
The Molsons Bank was founded in Montreal by brothers William (1793-1875) and John Molson, Jr. (1787-1860), the sons of brewery magnate John Molson. It was in operation until 1925 when it merged with the Bank of Montreal.
Previous years
Pictures by Heritage Auctions, Geoffrey Bell Auctions and The Canadian Numismatic Company.
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