Gentlemen:
My ancient catalogue mentions three varieties of 1881 Bank of Nova Scotia $5 notes and implies that all three were issued. First is a variety with obverse "black with blue tint" with a "green" reverse. The only such blue-tinted note I have seen is a proof, but this proof has a dark BROWN reverse with a single figure 5 in the center. (My source also mentions also mentions that this note is known with a red Winnipeg overprint twice---anybody out there ever see one?)
My source also mentions a $5 with obverse "orange and green tint" and a "brown" reverse.
Again I have seen only proof notes, but there seem to be two distinct varieties of these: one with a curly FIVE right under the central portrait and the other with a longer pink FIVE DOLLARS across the bottom panel. The former proof has a dark-brown reverse with the single central figue 5, whereas the FIVE DOLLARS proof has a different reverse, sort of a slate gray color (not green), with a figure 5 on either side of a small central vignette.
I do not have access to the latest catalogues of chartered bank currency. Can someone
out there let me know which color of which reverse goes with which obverse?? Were all these proof varieties actually issued into circulation???
Thank you all for your help. Bernard Schaaf MD aka Newcomer
