Top 10 most valuable Canadian banknotes sold at auction in 2024 - Articles on canadian banknotes - Coins and Canada

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Top 10 most valuable Canadian banknotes sold at auction in 2024

By thecanadiannumismatist | Friday, December 20, 2024

Here's the Top 10 most valuable Canadian banknotes sold at auction in 2024 so far. Prices are in Canadian currency.

#1 - $307,800 - Bank of Canada 500 dollars 1935 - PCGS AU-53

500 dollars 1935 - Canada

Last Year, this exact banknote sold for $432,000 (~↓30%).

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 - $53,775 - Bank of Canada 1,000 dollars 1937 - PMG GUNC-67

1000 dollars 1937 - Canada

Special serial number note in the low number category.

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.

Previous sales highlights

  • 2023 - $42,068 - LCG GUNC-67 #AK0005467
  • 2022 - $41,475 - PMG CUNC-64 #AK0000041
  • 2021 - $25,850 - PMG SP-67
  • 2020 - $22,200 - CUNC-64

At the same sale, a LCG GUNC-65 example sold for $31,368.75 (#AK0000102) and, in October, a PMG GUNC-65 one sold for $26,500 (#AK0000110).

Bank of Canada 1,000 dollars 1937 banknotes »


#3 - $44,812.50 - Dominion of Canada 1 dollars 1897 - PCGS CUNC-63

1 dollar 1897 - Canada

Very few known in uncirculated condition. This note shows the portraits of Countess of Aberdeen and Earl of Aberdeen (General between 1893 and 1898). The note was printed by the American Bank Note Co.

Dominion of Canada 1 dollar 1897 banknotes »


#4 - $36,000 - Bank of British North America 4 dollars 1871 - PMG F-15

4 dollars 1871 - Canada

Only one known. The Bank of British North America was founded by royal charter issued in 1836 in London, England. British North America was the common name by which the British colonies and territories that now comprise Canada were known prior to 1867. The bank had offices in Toronto, Upper Canada; Montreal and Quebec City, Lower Canada; Saint John, New Brunswick; Halifax, Nova Scotia; and St. John's, Newfoundland.

It was the first bank operating in British Columbia. It also operated agencies in New York City and San Francisco.

Like the other Canadian chartered banks, it issued its own bank notes, 1852 to 1911. The end dates are the final dates appearing on notes, which may have circulated for some time after. The Bank of Canada was established through the Bank of Canada Act of 1934 and the banks relinquished their right to issue their own currency.

The Bank of British North America merged with the Bank of Montreal in 1918.

Bank of British North America - Banknotes »


#5 - $34,356.25 - Standard Bank of Canada 10 dollars 1876 - LCG F-15

10 dollars 1876 - Canada

The Standard Bank of Canada was a Canadian bank established in 1873 as the St. Lawrence Bank by a group of Toronto businessmen led by John Charles Fitch. Increased competition and other strategic considerations led to the Standard Bank of Canada to merge with the Canadian Bank of Commerce in 1928.

This note was described as:

Possibly unique and of the highest tarities.

Standard Bank of Canada - Banknotes »


#6 - $34,356.25 - Commercial Bank of Canada 2 dollars 1857 - LCG VF-25

2 dollars 1857 - Canada

Unlisted in Charlton Standard Catalogue, 10th Edition.


#7 - $31,368.75 - Bank of Canada 1,000 dollars 1935 - LCG GUNC-66

1000 dollars 1935 - Canada

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.

A PMG GUNC-65 example also sold this year for $25,668.

Previous sales highlights

  • 2023 - $45,900 - PMG GUNC-67 English
  • 2022 - $32,860 - LCG VF-30 French
  • 2021 - PMG GUNC-65 - $25,850 English
  • 2020 - PMG GUNC-65 - $20,200 English

Bank of Canada 1,000 dollars 1935 banknotes »


#8 - $30,472.50 - Bank of Canada 25 dollars 1935 - LCG GUNC-65

25 dollars 1935 - Canada

This special royal purple $25 note was issued on 6 May 1935 to commemorate the silver jubilee of King George V. It was printed by CBN and features portraits of the King and Queen. This was the only $25 note ever issued by the Bank of Canada.

Bank of Canada 25 dollars 1935 banknotes »


#9 - $29,875 - Commercial Bank of Windsor 10 dollars 1871 - LCG VF-25

10 dollars 1871 - Canada

This note was described as:

This note should be considered as a new find.


#10 - $26,887.50 - Dominion of Canada 4 dollars 1900 - PMG AU-55

4 dollars 1900 - Canada

This banknote was featured in Charlton 24th Edition.


#11 - $26,496 - Bank of Nova Scotia 100 dollars 1929 - PCGS UNC-62

100 dollars 1929 - Canada

8,000 notes were printed bearing a serial number between 14,001 and 22,000.


Previous years

Pictures by Heritage Auctions, Geoffrey Bell Auctions and The Canadian Numismatic Company.

Related numismatic tools, articles and links

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