Bank of British Columbia (Canada) 50 Dollars Paper Money 1894 Coloured Face and Back Proof Set

Country: Canada

Issuer / Authority: Bank of British Columbia

Denomination: 50 Dollars

Year: 1894

Type: Coloured Face and Back Proof Set

Grade / Condition (Face): Very Choice UNC64 (Legacy Grading)

Grade / Condition (Back): Gem UNC65 PPQ (Legacy Grading)

Plate: D

A spectacular Coloured Face and Back Proof Set of the Bank of British Columbia 50 Dollar note issued in 1894. Founded in 1862 during the British Columbia gold rush, the Bank of British Columbia was one of Western Canada's leading chartered banks before merging with the Bank of Montreal in 1901. Complete proof sets of this prestigious issue are exceptionally rare and represent the highest level of Canadian chartered bank note artistry.

This complete set includes both the coloured face proof and the matching back proof, preserving the full design exactly as prepared for approval before circulation printing. Produced for presentation, archival, and printing reference purposes, these proofs were never intended for public use and survive in only very limited numbers. Complete face-and-back proof sets are among the most desirable items in Canadian paper money collecting.

In 1894, 50 Dollars represented an extraordinary amount of purchasing power—equivalent to approximately two to three months' wages for many Canadian workers. It was sufficient to purchase livestock, make a substantial down payment on property, finance major business transactions, or cover significant commercial expenses, placing it among the highest-value banknotes of its era.

An exceptional and historically significant proof set, ideal for collectors of Canadian numismatics, chartered bank notes, Bank of British Columbia issues, proof material, and world paper money.