Colonial’s next Premier Auction moving online

Colonial Acres will return with its next Premier Auction in an expanded format this April.

The Kitchener, Ont.-based firm is set to offer its 134th sale over three sessions and three days with nearly 1,700 lots representing a year of “careful curation,” according to auctioneers.

“This year, we are thrilled to continue the tradition introduced in last year’s September ‘Premier’ by featuring a third session,” said Janae Kroondijk, who heads Colonial Acres’ auction department. “This expansion allows us to provide our bidders with even greater variety in our Premier auctions, which consistently attract strong interest and competitive bidding. As always, you can expect an exceptional selection of rare and valuable pieces with a particular emphasis on our outstanding Canadian banknote offerings.”

Taking place online from April 25-27, this spring’s Premier Auction will take place later than it did in past years, with pre-bidding set to open on March 28.

“By shifting our auction to the end of April, we can promote it in person at key coin shows leading up to the event, increasing visibility and interest,” said Kroondijk. “Additionally, transitioning to an online format allows us to meet the growing demand for digital auctions, making participation more accessible to collectors and bidders worldwide while preserving the excitement of a traditional live auction.”

In addition to pre-sale lot viewing at its Kitchener office at 991 Victoria St. N., Colonial will also offer viewing by appointment at Trajan’s upcoming National Postage Stamp & Coin Show, slated for April 5-6 in Mississauga.

“Trajan’s National Show presents a valuable opportunity to connect with bidders from across Southern Ontario in a personal and engaging way,” Kroondijk added. “Its prime location within the GTA (Greater Toronto Area), combined with its strong attendance, allows us to interact directly with our valued bidders. Additionally, we deeply appreciate our longstanding relationship with Trajan Media, and this event enables us to maintain that connection while seamlessly expanding our auction into the digital space.”

In addition to rare Canadian banknotes, including low serial number and radar issues, the sale’s standout areas will also feature “a remarkable variety of world and U.S. coins, vintage bullion and a stunning collection of Canadian coinage,” Kroondijk said.

“We are excited to present both an 1866 $1 and $2 Province of Canada note in this year’s auction – two exceptionally rare pieces that stand as true highlights of the event.”

As for Canadian coinage, Colonial will offer several “remarkable highlights,” Kroondijk added in reference to the “Prince of Canadian Decimal Coins,” the 1921 five-cent issue, with an example in Extremely Fine-40 (EF-40).

Described by Kroondijk as “ultra rare,” it’s expected to bring $11,500 as Lot 469.

“Additionally, this auction showcases a robust selection of world gold coins and our ever-popular vintage bullion sections, ensuring a diverse and exciting lineup for collectors and investors alike.”

SESSION ONE

HIGHLIGHTS

A 2007 $200 Gold Maple Leaf test token struck in one ounce of .9999 pure gold carries an estimate of $5,000 as Lot 191.

Leading there way in session one, Lot 191 offers a 2007 test token for Canada’s $200 Gold Maple Leaf (GML) bullion coin.

Certified as Specimen-69 by Numismatic Guaranty Company, it one of only 500 examples struck in one ounce of .9999 pure gold.

“When RCM’s first GML coin was introduced in 1979, it quickly became recognized throughout the world for its superior quality. Launched at .999 pure, this coin has a .9999 purity,” said Kroondijk, who added the 2007 test coin “testifies to the Mint’s unyielding commitment to innovation and its ongoing pursuit of excellence in precious metal refining and numismatics.”

Tax exempt owing to its bullion status, it’s estimated at $5,000.

An 1864 New Brunswick five-cent ‘Small 6’ variety in ICCS MS-62 is estimated at $5,000 as Lot 296.

Among the early Canadian coinage, Lot 296 offers a Mint-State (MS) New Brunswick five-cent “Small 6” variety issued by the pre-Confederation colony in 1864. Certified as MS-62 by International Coin Certification Service (ICCS), it also carries an estimate of $5,000.

SESSION TWO

HIGHLIGHTS

Moving onto session two, which crosses the block on April 26, Lot 863 will offer a circa 1830 “Vexator Canadiensis” token (Breton 558) in ICCS EF-40.

“Struck post-1830 with a false date of 1811, these tokens were both satirical and functional,” said Kroondijk. “The reverse Latin legend translates to ‘Wouldn’t you like to catch them?’ implying playful defiance or critique. Depending on the interpretation of a single letter, the obverse reads as either, ‘The tormentor of Canada,’ criticizing authority, or, ‘A Canadian trapper,’ referencing the fur trade. This ambiguity allowed issuers to claim the tokens were harmless medalets, adding to their historical intrigue and collectible value.”

The example on offer this April carries an estimate of $5,000.

Among the banknote highlights, Lot 968 offers a 1866 Province of Canada $1 “Payable at Montréal” banknote (PC-2a ) certified as Fine-15 by Banknote Certification Service (BCS). Featuring the check letter “A” and a serial number reading “10222,” it’s estimated at $12,000.

“Province of Canada pieces do not come up for sale too often, and here is an opportunity to own a respectable example,” said Kroondijk, who expects the lot “to attract significant interest.”

“It’s a ‘Payable in Montréal’ variety and is one of 62 known to exist at the time of this auction.”

Another 1866 Province of Canada “Payable at Montréal” banknote, this one a $2 issue (PC-3a), is also expected to draw bidders’ attention as Lot 969. Featuring the check letter “C” and a serial number reading “027785,” it’s one of 22 examples known to exist.

“Overall, it is a rarely seen offering well worth consideration,” said Kroondijk, who added the lot carries an estimate of $12,000.

Among the Dominion of Canada notes, Lot 979 will offer an 1897 $2 note (DC-14a) in BCS About Uncirculated-55. Featuring the check letter “A” and a serial number reading “007802,” it’s described as “truly something remarkable” according to Kroondijk.

“It’s an 1897 $2 of the red-brown back variety. This variety was printed for the first 700,000 of an estimated total of just under 37 million notes,” Kroondijk added, accounting for about two per cent of the denomination’s total print run. “At the time of this auction, there are 25 listed in the CPMS (Canadian Paper Money Society) registry, only one of which is described as anything higher than a VF (Very Fine).”

Described as “a rare chance to own a very scarce piece of Canadian paper money” and with strong bidding expected, this lot carries an estimate of $70,000.

Another high-value note will be offered as Lot 1010 with a 1935 Series $1,000 note (BC-19) certified as Uncirculated-66 by Paper Money Guaranty (PMG), which added an “excellent paper quality” designation. Featuring the Osborne-Towers signature combination and a serial number reading “A15847,” it’s one of only five notes in this grade as certified by PMG. It’s expected to bring $35,000.

Rounding out the highlights is a 1908 specimen set with its original case and four coins, including 50-, 25-, 10-, five- and one-cent issues, ranging from ICCS Specimen-64 to Specimen-66.

“All coins have consistent natural patina expected in these sets,” said Kroondijk, who added the red leather case features a blue statin interior with a phrase highlighting the “first coinage of (the) Canadian Mint” impressed in gold lettering.

It’s estimated at $6,500 as Lot 1155.

AUCTION DETAILS

Colonial will offer pre-sale lot viewing for its upcoming Premier Auction at its Kitchener office every Monday through Friday from 9:30 a.m.-4 p.m. and on the first two Saturdays of each month from 10 a.m.-2:30 p.m.

Additionally, Colonial will take appointments for lot viewing at Trajan’s National Show on April 5-6. To schedule an appointment, call Colonial’s office at 1-888-255-4565 (prompt ‘5’) or email auctions@colonialacres.com and request the lots you’d like to see.

The auction’s sessions will begin on April 25-26 at 5:30 p.m. (EST) and on April 27 at noon (EST).

“All sessions can be attended digitally via icollector.com with sessions one and two featuring live audio streaming by our very own auctioneer, Kirk Parsons,” added Kroondijk.

For full details, visit colonialacres.com.