Top 10 Canadian most valuable banknotes sold at auctions in 2021
By thecanadiannumismatist | Tuesday, December 7, 2021
Featuring two of the rarest and most sought-after banknotes in Canadian history, the year 2021 was an impressive one for paper money. Here's the top 10 Canadian most valuable banknotes sold at auctions in 2021 so far.
#1 - $528,750 CAD - Dominion of Canada 500 dollars 1911 - LCG VF-20
Sold on June 27, 2021, this banknote is considered The Holy Grail of the Dominion of Canada Series. It previously sold in 2008 for around $330,000.
There is no example of an issued $500 note of the 1911 issue in the Bank of Canada's National Currency Collection, or in any other museum collection.
Dominion of Canada 500 dollars 1911 banknotes »
#2 - $337,812 CAD - Bank of Canada 500 dollars 1935 - LCG EF-45
Sold on the same day as the #1 on this list, 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.
Bank of Canada 500 dollars 1935 banknotes »
#3 - $47,600 CAD - Bank of Hamilton 5 dollars 1887 - PMG VF-20
This banknote was unknown until it appeared on October 23rd, 2021 at Heritage Auctions. The firm described this banknote as:
Interestingly, this note is dated March of 1887, and a totally different design for the same issue is known, which dates December of 1887. Therefore, this type must have had a short issuance, which is evidenced by the small serial number on this note. Despite circulation, all design elements are bright and clear, which includes the manuscript signature at left. Curiously, the handwritten and stamped signature appear to be that of the same person - John Stuart. It appears that during this era, Stuart was both the bank president and either its main cashier or one of the cashiers that signed the banknotes, which is quite an anomaly.
#4 - $34,800 CAD - Bank of Canada 20 dollars 1954 Devil's Face - PMG GUNC-66
This banknote is probably the highest graded replacement one for this denomination and series. It sold for $16,800 at Torex Auction on October 28, 2008.
Gunderson's engraving gave the first issues of the 1954 series its nickname-the Devil's head notes. In the original engraving, highlighted areas of the Queen's hair gave the illusion of a grinning demon behind the ear.
Bank of Canada 20 dollars 1954 Devil's face banknotes »
*AE 20 dollars 1954 Devil's face database »
#5 - $33,600 CAD - Royal Bank of Canada 100 dollars 1920 - PMG VF-30
Issued from Georgetown, British Guiana. One of only two recorded. Not represented as an issued note in the National Currency Collection.
Royal Bank of Canada banknotes »
#6 - $32,725 CAD - Bank of Canada 50 dollars 1935 - LCG CUNC-64
The serial number of this note starts with F. Another 50 dollars 1935 LCG GUNC-65 in English sold for $29,750.
The 1935 $50 note, which was printed by CBN, features a portrait of Prince Albert, Duke of York, second son of King George V and Queen Mary. After the abdication of his brother, Prince Albert became King George VI. The portrait of the prince wearing an admiral's uniform was engraved by Robert Savage of ABN from a photograph by Bertram Park. The vignette on the back of the note is an allegorical figure representing modern inventions.
Bank of Canada 50 dollars 1935 banknotes »
#7 - $32,400 CAD - Quebec Bank 5 dollars 1908 - PMG VF-20
This exact banknote was first discovered in 2005. It includes the text at top center Founded 1818, and it lacks M printed in red. Only 10 Quebec Bank 5 dollars 1908 with Arms back are known and 2 with Prescott Gate back.
#8 - $31,200 CAD - Canadian Bank of Commerce - 5 dollars 1892 - PMG VF-25
From the Yukon Gold Rush with blue YUKON overprint.
Canadian Bank of Commerce banknotes »
#9 - $29,375 CAD - Dominion of Canada 5 dollars 1924 - LCG GUNC-65
Very rare in high grade, this banknote also have a low serial number (A000943).
Dominion of Canada 5 dollars 1924 banknotes »
#10 - $29,000 CAD - Dominion of Canada 1 dollar 1898 - LCG GUNC-66
Other examples are known in PMG GUNC-66:
- 323615B - Heritage Sale in April 2008
- 652812A - C. Moore Sale in June 2012
Dominion of Canada 1 dollar 1898 banknotes »
#11 - $26,775 CAD - Crown Bank of Canada 5 dollars 1904 - PMG VF-25
Only six issued examples have been recorded. A U.S. auctioneer sold a similar example in 2019 graded PMG VF-25 for approximately $21,500.
#12 - $26,775 CAD - Dominion of Canada 1 dollar 1878 - LCG VF-35
VF-35 is probably the highest grade known in private hands for this note. Number of 1878 1 dollar banknotes with scalloped border known:
- Halifax: 13
- Montreal: 24
- Toronto: 35
- St. John: 9
Dominion of Canada 1 dollar 1878 banknotes »
#13 - $26,100 CAD - Bank of Nova Scotia 100 dollars 1929 - LCG EF-40
Only 10 known. EF-40 is the best example currently in private hands.
#14 - $25,850 CAD - Bank of Canada 1,000 dollars 1935 - PMG GUNC-65
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.
Bank of Canada 1,000 dollars 1935 banknotes »
#15 - $25,850 CAD - Bank of Canada 1,000 dollars 1937 - PMG SP-67
Pictures by Heritage Auctions, Geoffrey Bell and The Canadian Numismatic Company.
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