Watch List notes:

Victoria 5 Cents 1884 Near 4, From our January 2010 Auction of the Canadiana Collection, where it was described, "KM2, MS65 PCGS. Two major varieties, known as the Near 4 and Far 4, are extremely difficult to differentiate. A side-by-side comparison of photos suggests the following: the Near 4 has a thin upright to the 4, leaning to the left. The 1 in the date is distant from the leaf below, and the second 8 has an enlarged lower loop. The Far 4 has a heavy upright to the 4, and that digit is upright. The 1 is close to the leaf below, and the upper and lower loops of the second 8 are similar in size. The Near 4 has a pointed crosslet tip of the 4, while the Far 4 has a blunt tip. Both varieties are extremely rare in higher grades, while the Far 4 is scarcer in all grades. This piece is an extraordinary Gem with fully original and beautiful toning over sharp design elements. Both sides have rich and vibrant gold, lilac, and sea-green toning over light ivory surfaces. The underlying mint luster is frosty and radiant. The Dominion Collection had a MS63 representative of this date. The Norweb coin was called MS64 in that catalog, and described as "far and away finer than any seen in recent times." Later, that same coin was PCGS certified as Specimen 65 and appeared in our Belzberg sale. This piece is the finest of just five Mint State 1884 Five Cent pieces that PCGS has graded (7/09) and the single finest certified of this key rarity. The present auction is rich in outright rarities and condition rarities in the Canadian series. Opportunities abound for the advanced Canadian specialist." This remains the single finest 1884 5 Cents certified by PCGS of either of the two varieties.

Estimate: 20000.00-30000.00 USD