500 dollar bill canada

Rare Canadian $500 bill set to sell for more than half a million dollars

The only $500 bill ever issued by the Bank of Canada was printed in 1935 and is now set to hit the auction block.

It is being auctioned off by Geoffrey Bell Auctions in Toronto this Friday, September 29, along with other "valuable, head-turning pieces of Canadian history" as part of the events at the Toronto Coin Expo.

The actual $500 bill, an almost uncirculated example, has never seen the light of day in any auction and is expected to garner interest from around the world.

Estimates suggest it will sell for more than $500,000.

The auction also includes some other scarce items, including a coin from 1813.
rare canadian bill

Prince Edward Island Holey Dollar (Geoffrey Bell Auctions)

In 1813, due to a chronic shortage of circulating change, "Prince Edward Island took the common Spanish American silver dollars and punched a hole in them, placing a value of 5 shillings on the outer section and 1 shilling for the centre piece or dump."

These coins have become extremely rare and are expected to sell for anywhere between $8,000 and $10,000.

Lead photo by

CNW Group/Geoffrey Bell Auctions


Latest Videos



Latest Videos


Join the conversation Load comments

Latest in City

Record-breaking Ontario-U.S. border bridge closing in on biggest milestone yet

Massive 'glacial-pace' line at Toronto bike share station raises questions about system

Canada's newest colourful coin celebrates the coronation anniversary of King Charles III

Canadian shares why she moved to Taiwan to pay off her debts

TTC service around Toronto is about to get a whole lot faster

Ontario family worth a staggering $71 billion just keeps getting richer

You won't see King Charles on Canada's $20 bill until at least 2027 and here's why

People in Toronto are tired of drivers constantly blocking intersections