Rare bullion and medals on the block in spring sale

More than 1,200 lots featuring vintage gold and silver bars, rare Canadian tokens, coins, and banknotes are available at the Spring Premier Numismatic Auction.

Presented by Colonial Auctions, the April 5-6 sale will be held during the National Postage Stamp and Coin Show at the Hilton Mississauga. (See the sidebar story for more details on the popular two-day Ontario show.)

“Our dedicated efforts over the past year have allowed us to acquire an impressive collection of over 1,200 high-quality items, which will be featured in two separate sessions spanning two days,” says co-auctioneer Todd Sandham. “We take pride in catering to collectors of all types, offering a diverse range of numismatic materials.”

The lots include several rare Canadian coins and banknotes, featured in the April 8 issue of CCN. Also included in the popular auction are several vintage gold and silver bars and rounds, including a “seldom seen” one-ounce Handy & Harman of Canada gold coin (Lot 158). A round coin from a very limited mintage, this example has serial No. 413.

Another “rare issue” is a one-ounce round gold coin (Lot 161) issued by Johnson Matthey & Mallory in 1979. With a Queen Victoria obverse variety, the reverse features an LTEE-Beaver/Castor. Another “scarce” offering is a 50-gram gold bar issued by Engelhard Industries of Canada (Lot 164). With a blank obverse, the reverse has serial No. 3300.

Several silver bars and rounds are also in the sale, including a 10-ounce Engelhard bar (Lot 184). Considered “scarce,” it has a mintage of 250 and comes from the Canadian first series type “A” variation, with serial No. 85909.

“You can expect to see some fantastic examples of numismatics in this auction,” Sandham adds, including an 1857 Great Britain Arctic Medal.

It was “retrospectively awarded to all personnel, both officers and men, who participated in expeditions to the polar regions between 1818 and 1855, including those involved in the ill-fated Franklin Expedition of 1845-1848,” the description for Lot 865 states. “Out of a total of 1,486 medals awarded, 1,106 were presented to Royal Navy officers or ratings, while the remainder were bestowed upon civilians, scientists, personnel from the French and U.S. navies, as well as employees of the Hudson’s Bay Company who actively participated in the search for Sir John Franklin and his crew.” While the medal is unnamed, the auction firm describes the medal as a “beautiful piece featuring attractive shine and sharp detail with minimal handling.”

This 1857 Great Britain Arctic Medal (Lot 865) was awarded to participants in expeditions to the polar regions between 1818 and 1855, including those involved in the ill-fated Franklin Expedition of 1845-1848.

Another fascinating lot features five Second World War medals awarded to Pte. C. Cronk of Elliot Lake, Ont., who served in the medical corps. The medals (Lot 863) include the 1939-45 Star, France and Germany Star, Canadian Volunteer Service Medal and War Medal. The lot also includes a picture of Cronk in uniform, a War Service Badge Certificate, and a memoriam card.

The sale also features several Canadian tokens, medallions and trade tokens. One featured token is an 1839 Bank of Montreal Side View graded AU-58.

“A genuine rarity, rarely encountered, this captivating piece showcases impeccable strike details and a charming chocolate-brown hue,” states the description for Lot 871. The token was part of the esteemed Doug Robins collection.

Online bidding opened on March 15 on icollector.com and colonialacres.com/auctions. Live viewing is also available at Colonial Acres’ Kitchener, Ont. store until April 3 between 9:30 a.m. and 2 p.m. EDT. Viewing will also be available between noon and 4 p.m. on April 5 and 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. on April 6 at the Hilton Mississauga/Meadowvale at 6750 Mississauga Rd., in Mississauga, Ont.