Old Money from The Commercial Bank of Canada in Kingston

This bank originally opened in 1831.  However, it didn’t change its name to The Commercial Bank of Canada until 1856.  It would operate under that name until 1868 when it was taken over by the Merchants’ Bank of Canada.  The bank was relatively successful but it overextended itself by granting lines of credit to the Detroit and Milwaukee Railway.  Our guide below discusses all of the different paper money issued and released into circulation by The Commercial Bank of Canada.

Bank Notes from 1857:

Currency from The Commercial Bank of Canada that is dated as 2nd Jan’y 1857 could have Kingston or Montreal engraved on the center of the note.  We are looking at Kingston notes here.  Scroll down for information about Montreal notes.  One, two, five, and ten dollar bank notes were printed for Kingston in 1857.  Each note should have another city listed at the left and right side of the bill (for two, five, and ten dollar notes) or on the bottom of the bill (for one dollar notes).  We have pictures of each design below.  Note the yellow tint to the paper.  Here are how the denominations breakdown per town:

Brockville:  $1
Galt:  $10
Hamilton:  $1 and $2
Kingston:  $5
London:  $1, $2, and $5
Toronto:  $1 and $2

There are different varieties related to colored overprints and surcharges.  All of these bank notes are very rare.  If you happen to have one, then we would be happy to explain the different varieties and how that affects values.

Bank Notes from 1860 & 1861:

These are usually called “green” notes by collectors.  They can be dated as 2nd Jany. 1860 or Jan. 2, 1861.  They were printed by The American Bank Note Company for The Commercial Bank of Canada in Kingston.  These are popular with collectors because different city names are engraved on the sides of each bank note.  Our guide below shows you which towns, years, and denominations were used:

Belleville:  1860 $1 and $2 Bills
Berlin:  1860 $1 Bills
Brockville:  1860 $1 Bills
Chatham:  1860 $5 Bills
Hamilton:  1860 $2 Bills
Ingersoll:  1860 $1 Bills
Kingston:  1860 $1, $2, and $5 Bills.  1861 $1 Bills
London:  1860 $1 and $2 Bills
Perth:  1860 $1 Bills
Port Hope:  1860 $2 Bills
Prescott:  1860 $2 Bills
Toronto:  1860 $1 Bills
Windsor:  1860 $1 and $2 Bills

The $1 bill seen below is an issued bank note.  The other two are proof notes.  Issued bank notes are much rarer and worth much more money than proofs.

Montreal Bank Notes from 1857:

The Commercial Bank of Canada opened in Kingston, but it also issued money with “Montreal” printed boldly on the front of each note.  Some of these bank notes are dated as 2nd Jan’y 1857.  They were printed by Toppan, Carpenter & Co., Montreal.  Tho. Kirby signed each note.  Denominations of one, two, five, ten, one hundred, and one thousand dollars were issued.  All of these are very rare today.  Collectors generally refer to these as “yellow” Montreal notes.

Montreal Bank Notes 1860 & 1862:

These “green” Montreal notes are only found as proofs today.  The $100 bill is dated as Jan. 2, 1862.  $1, $2, $5, $10, and $1000 bills can be dated as 2nd January 1860 or 2nd Jany 1860.

GOT SOMETHING TO SELL?

We buy all types of Canadian currency.  We are especially interested in bank notes from The Commercial Bank of Canada in Kingston.  You might be surprised at how much money we can offer for some currency.  Send us an email with pictures of the front and back of your bank note and we will respond quickly with our offer.

Manning@CanadaCurrency.com

Sample Bank Note Image:

Your piece of currency from The Commercial Bank of Canada in Kingston could look similar to the one seen below.  Keep in mind that lots of denominations and varieties were issued.  Don’t worry if yours is different.  Contact us for more value information.