CANADA. Dominion of Canada. 1 Dollar, 1.6.1878. DC-8b. PMG Extremely Fine 40 EPQ.Payable at Toronto. An exceptional opportunity for the specialist. In US numismatics in recent decades a so-called original "three-fold XF" has become synonymous with a condition rarity. In many instances, as notes have been "improved" by pressing and other ill-fated conservation methods, the originality of a note is lost in exchange for a slightly higher grade. Notes which have not been improved are becoming scarcer with each passing year, and advanced collectors will know that in many instances it might be more difficult to find an original XF than a pressed AU or UNC. This certainly applies to classic Canadian notes as well. While PMG has graded hundreds of examples of the various varieties of the 1878 $1, precious few have been graded at the Extremely Fine level with full originality. <p>The 1878 $1 comes in a various different varieties. This example has the scalloped border (later replaced by a lettered border) and was payable at Toronto. Notes were also issued payable at Montreal, St. John and Halifax. All varieties feature the portrait of the Countess of Dufferin at center. At right is the printed signature of T.D. Harington. At left is a manuscript signature placed at the time of issue on behalf of the Minister of Finance. The notes were printed by the British American Bank Note Co. of Montreal, whose imprint appears on both sides. <p>This is an exceptional note and an outstanding opportunity for the Canadian specialist. This particular variety is very scarce to begin with, and as the Canadian Note Registry (which does not yet include this note) shows the present offering is finer than any other examples. Most examples are graded VG or Fine, and just two notes come close to the present example in grade, with one of those permanently impounded in the National Currency Collection of Canada. For the connoisseur of rare condition-census Canadian notes, this is a lot that should not be missed as we doubt it will be repeated anytime soon.
