May 2025 World CCO Offers Canadian Paper Money

Our May 2025 World Collectors Choice Online Auction: The Canadian Banknote Sale is available for viewing and presale bidding, with the sale taking place on May 30, 2025 at 9 AM PDT. This is our second dedicated Canadian paper money sale. It follows a successful first sale, which included fantastic results, including the Dominion of Canada 1870 $2 Payable at Victoria, which realized $360,000 USD. This auction offers 414 lots, ranging from private scrip to chartered banknote rarities to modern fancy serial numbers. It is one of those sales that offers something for everyone.

While listing all highlights is impossible for the limited space of this blog post, numerous individual lots are worth mentioning:

Lot 30109: CANADA. Union Bank of Halifax. 5 Dollars, 1.5.1909. CH #735-16-02. PMG Very Fine 25.

Previously unreported in issued format and the first public offering as such. A rare and popular issuer that was established in Halifax, NS in 1856 and would be absorbed into the Royal Bank of Canada a year after this note was issued, no doubt contributing to its rarity.

Lot 31112: CANADA. Union Bank of Newfoundland. 20 Dollars, 1.5.1889. CH #750-16-08. PMG Choice Uncirculated 64 EPQ.

Surpassed by only one example in the PMG population report, and a rarity from the Union Bank of Newfoundland in top grade. Among several notes of the important and attractive 1889 issue offered in this sale.

Lot 30195: CANADA. Lot of (2). Bank of Canada. 5 Dollars, 1986. BC-56c. Offset Printing Error & Obstructed Printing Error. PMG Gem Uncirculated 65 EPQ to Gem Uncirculated 66 EPQ.

A most unusual and rare consecutive pair of error notes. The first is a major obstructed print error and the other is a full offset printing error. Highly unusual to find as a pair and desirable even as individual notes, let alone as a consecutive pair.

Lot 30212: CANADA. Dominion of Canada. 2 Dollars, 1.6.1878. DC-9d. PMG Choice Fine 15.

An evenly circulated and attractive 1878 $2 Payable at Halifax that is one of just four examples in private hands. The note itself has a pedigree back to a 1979 sale, and will no doubt attract much interest from specialized collectors.

Lot 30255: CANADA. Dominion of Canada. 5 Dollars, 26.5.1924. DC-27. PCGS Banknote Uncirculated 62 Details.

A rarity at the uncirculated level and seldom offered as such. This example has some minor roughness at the top border, resulting in a Details grade from the grading service, although the details grade is overly harsh in our opinion. As such, this will still be an exciting addition to a high-grade Dominion of Canada collection.

Lot 30305: CANADA. Bank of Canada. 1000 Dollars, 2.1.1937. BC-28. PMG Choice Uncirculated 63 EPQ.

The highest denomination of the 1937 series and a scarce and attractive type, seen here in original Choice Uncirculated condition. An important type note, of which fewer than 15,000 were printed, and which represented tremendous purchasing power at the time of issue.

Lot 30334: CANADA. Bank of Canada. 1000 Dollars, 1954. BC-36. Devil’s Face. PMG About Uncirculated 55 EPQ.

A lightly circulated yet fully original example of the iconic Devil’s Face $1000. One of just 30,000 notes produced and one of those notes where demand always exceeds supply. We expect spirited bidding on this example which will perhaps allow one lucky collector to complete a Devil’s Face collection.

Stack’s Bowers Galleries is still accepting consignments for our upcoming Summer 2025 Global Showcase Auction, but the deadline is rapidly approaching. The World Paper Money sale is focused on notes from the Americas only, including Canada. To get the consignment process started, contact Dennis Hengeveld at [email protected] or call 800-458-4646.  In Canada, don’t hesitate to get in touch with Adem Karisik at [email protected] or call our Vancouver office at 778-403-6677 for any questions related to the sale or for assistance with new consignments.