Auction to offer distinct lots

By Bret Evans

Jeffrey Hoare Auctions’ CAND sale has a typically diverse offering, with a spectacular collection of world historical medals.

Wendy Hoare said most of the medals offered are from an older collection that is being sold. While many countries are represented, the collectors specialized in British and Canadian issues.

There is also a selection of issues by Napoleon, including lot 352, a 1797 issue with a bust of Napoleon on the obverse and an image of him on horseback, accompanied by victory and personifications of art and science.

The inscription in French portrays him as a protector of sciences and arts. It is a restrike, with a cornucopia mint mark on the edge, estimated at $100.

The sale opens with lot 1, a denarius of Mark Antony from 31 BC. Described as VF, it is estimated at $600.

The British section includes both hammered and milled coins. Pride of place goes to lot 17, an AU 1847 gothic crown of Queen Victoria with UNDECIMO on the edge, lightly cleaned with a slight reverse bump. The pre-sale estimate is $2,500.

Among the Canadian decimal section is lot 177, a 1947 pointed 7 silver $1 with dot and double HP, graded ICCS MS-60. It is expected to bring $550.

The paper money section includes lot 499, a $5 error note, serial number SU 6164866, Lawson-Bouey signatures.

According to the catalogue, the note is incomplete, with about 65 per cent of the second pass through the press missing. It is estimated at $300.

One interesting selection is a group of 10 lots of Confederate States of America notes.

The notes represent payment of David Augustus Mansur for services as a teacher. Mansur relocated to Canada and the notes have been handed down through the family.

The notes were most likely kept because they had no financial value, however, their appeal to collectors in more substantial.

Lot 527, a $10 note dated 1861, Pick-22, Good+ with ragged edges and two small tears, is expected to bring in $250.

The sale is particularly strong in Militaria, with Canadian historical connections.

Lot 2003 is a rare Military Medal awarded to Sapper James Davidson for action at the Battle of Vimy Ridge. It is estimated at $1,400.

Lot 2005 is a Military General Service Medal awarded to John Kearnes with clasps for Salamanca, Vittoria, Pyrenees, Nivelle and Orthes.

Kearnes joined the 68 Regiment of Foot, Ireland, as a private.

Wounded several times, he was eventually promoted to Lieutenant in 1818. The same year his regiment was posted to Quebec.

Kearnes served in both Lower and Upper Canada, and in 1819 he was placed on half pay. He decided to settle in Prescott County, where he became a Captain in the Prescott Militia. In 1847, he became Lt. Col. of the Second Battallion.

From 1836 to 1840 he was a member of the Parliament of Upper Canada, representing the riding of Prescott.

With a research folder and a regimental button, the medal is estimated at $4,500.

An interesting relic of the Cold War is lot 2651, a Soviet military mission license plate identification card.

The pocket card was issued to NATO troops to identify soviet vehicles in the NATO sector. It depicts the design of Soviet plates, and contains instruction on what action to take if one of these vehicles is sighted.

Accompanied by several pamphlets and booklets, it is estimated at $50.

The sale is being held January 26 and 27 in conjunction with the CAND show, Plaza Hotel, 150 King St. East, Hamilton. For more information, contact Jeffrey Hoare Auctions Inc., 319, Springbank Dr., London, ON N6J 1G6, (519) 473-7491, jhoare@jefferyhoare.on.ca.

February 5 to February 18, 2008 issue of Canadian Coin News