CANADA. Merchants Bank of Canada. 5 Dollars, 1.11.1919. CH# 460-22-02. PCGS Banknote Choice About Uncirculated 58. The Prince of Wales portrait seen on this 1919 $5 of the Merchants Bank of Canada is one of the very few numismatic products available with the image of the future king. Of course, at the time that this note was issued one could not have guessed that Edward VIII would be king of England for less than a year, before abdicating the throne in favor of his brother in a scandal that would rock the Royal Family for years. Because of this, and the fact that his reign was too short for any numismatic items to be put into circulation, this is a very popular note. Unfortunately, not only are most known examples in well-circulated condition, the number of known notes is also too small to satisfy ever-increasing demand for the type. The 2022 Canadian Note registry lists 33 notes of this type, but that does not yet include this example, which is new and among the nicest known for the type. It joins a few other AUs and UNCs at the top of the census. A fabulous and storied note and surely to see spirited bidding before the gavel falls.
