1912 Boc $5 Dilemma

The only difference is a leatherette clam shell case with an air tight capsule with 2 shiny stickers holding it secure ,and that they sat in a vault in canvas bags for close to 100 years getting banged up. Equally priced and condition which would you chose and why?

Me, well I'd definitely prefer not the case because I don't feel that RCM's packaging 100 years after the fact adds value whatsoever. But as you say different collectors, different quirks.

If I had a choice between a Hoard Coin in case vs a non Hoard Coin of which both were about the same grade I would choose the Cased Hoard Coin hands down.
There is something to be said about the story behind the release of these coins that attracts collectors and make them want to own one.

The market has created a distinction between the Hoard coins and non hoard coins, and it appears to me it favors the hoard coins. Just look at the fact that TPG companies list the designation on hoard graded coins. I have 1912 gold that I mention on this site awhile ago the in a red leatherette that is in a capsule similar to the hoard coins issued from The Royal Mint with a COA stating it 1 of the first 8,000 minted. I picked it up for $40 over bullion. I'll post pictures shortly. Have tried to verify with The Royal Mint when it was issued and if they did, the certificate looks legit.

Interesting, the certificate from the (British) Royal Mint. Did you acquire this prior to RCM releasing the hoard? And is this to suggest only 8,000 were minted in 1912, the balance of 165,680 in 1913/1914? Or was that portion minted in England?

With certainty, I believe the gold coins held by BofC formed a portion of Canada's gold reserves during WW2, gold reserves being much more significant in past times than they are to Canada today. Reading various theories is rather fascinating although it appears neither Britian nor Canadian govts have formally disclosed any real facts in support. One theory is due to fear of German takeover, UK's gold reserves were all shipped to Canada, others suggest it was used to finance war efforts by buying of arms from the US. Regardless I'd be surprised if the valuable gold hoard just sat undisturbed in BofCs vault throughout it's entire history and it's also possible a portion was sold and later bought back. Because we know nothing more other than the hoard was suddenly revealed, makes me think there's more to the story.

Thanks for the link. I don't recall where I read it, might have been Striking Impressions by JA Haxby but if I recall correctly it was said the reason the Finance Dept was given possession of the gold coins was due to payment of taxes owed by the newly formed Cdn Royal Mint.

But the fact that so often our Canadian history is blurred into virtually nothingness is something that's always irritated me. I refuse to believe that for 100 years all the coins sat forgotten in dusty old sacks in the back corner of a vault but at the same time, I doubt any more of their history will ever be known.

Adding to the unknown, the timing of Carney's posting in the UK and the hoard release always stuck me as sort of odd....aside from the questionable manner of the actual sale of the hoard.