In our Official Auction at the January
2020 New York International Numismatic Convention we will be offering a very
special 1884 Bank of British North America 5 Dollar note certified by PCGS
Currency. This extremely rare example is one of only seven pieces known.
Two are housed in an institutional collection and another is stamped cancelled.
This leaves only four redeemable notes in private hands. The last example sold was
in the January 2012 Heritage Signature FUN Auction where it realized $34,500
USD. It was PCGS Certified VF-20. Our January offering is an opportunity that
many collectors will wait a lifetime for – the chance to purchase such a highly
revered and respected piece of Canadian Banknote history.
The Bank of British North America
was founded in England 1836 as a private institution meant to conduct commerce
through certain North American provinces. For 82 years the British Bank of
North America succeeded in banking, with over 92 branches. However, World War I
imposed restrictions on communication and travel, making it difficult for the
bank directors in England to continue operating in the same manner. In 1918,
the Bank of British North America was absorbed by the Bank of Montreal. At the
time of the merger, the bank had total assets of $78 million. All issued
banknotes are redeemable today.
This treasure is certified by PCGS
Currency as Fine 15 with comments of “Small Edge Splits,” which are negligible
for key notes like this.
