Canada's First $5 Polymer Test Bank Note Going To Auction
A very rare example of Canada's first $5 polymer bank note will be offered for sale by Geoffrey Bell Auctions in conjunction with the Toronto Coin Expo on May 30, 2013. This is the finer of two examples known to exist, and will be the first public sale of the rare note. The note for sale has serial number GOG0768401, and has been professionally graded in Uncirculated condition. This note is attracting worldwide attention among collectors specializing in either polymer bank notes or Canadian notes. The test note is conservatively estimated to sell for $10,000, but bank note experts anticipate the rare specimen may sell for multiples of this estimate.
Between 1995 and 1998, the Bank of Canada tested a polymer Luminus paper bank note in active circulation with 100,000 Birds of Canada $5 notes. The Luminus material is made by sandwiching a polymer sheet between two layers of paper. It is known that the test notes were printed with the prefix GOG, and within the serial number range of 0100000-0199999. The test was performed to determine the longevity of a polymer bank note in circulation, along with the possibility of increased security features in the polymer material.
The note up for auction was obtained by a lady in Eastern Canada. On payday she would visit the local bank to cash her pay cheque, and set aside any nice new bills for a rainy day. Many years later, the notes were handed down to her son, whose research led to the great discovery that he was in possession of one of the Bank of Canada's circulating polymer Test Notes. There are many treasures out there just waiting to be discovered.
The rare Canadian GOG test note will be available for viewing prior to the Geoffrey Bell Auction on May 30 at the Toronto Reference Library located at 789 Yonge Street. The Toronto Coin Expo is Canada's premier coin and bank note show and auction hosting world renowned coin dealers. For full information, please visit
www.torontocoinexpo.ca.
{http://img843.imageshack.us/img843/8890/gogtestback.jpg:http://img843.imageshack.us/img843/8890/gogtestback.th.jpg}
May 23, 2013 – By Jared Stapleton – torontocoinexpo@gmail.com
photo link:
http://www.icollector.com/1986-Bank-of-Canada-5-Test-Note_i16141696
