Canada, Hudson's Bay Company Promissory Note, Five Shillings 1857, serial no. 3319 signed in London on 1st June 1857 by W.G. Smith; countersigned at York Factory 1st March 1866 by James R, Clare and J.H. McTavish, ink cancelled (Pick S1097c, Gingras 323, Ryan 27c) creased and well worn, one or two pinholes along the central fold and three in the right-hand top corner, o/wise clear and legible, good and rare

This group of Hudson's Bay Company Promissory Notes was discovered along with a collection of papers and documents inside a suitcase during a house clearance. The majority of the papers had the family name Stacpole on them, but one particular document stood out - a receipt for the awarding of a World War One War Badge. The receipt lists the name F.A. Stacpole, who was an assistant to Hudson's Bay Company governor Sir Patrick Ashley Cooper in the 1930s and 1940s. While this is not conclusive proof, it is likely that these notes once belonged to the same F.A. Stacpole and were acquired during his time at the Hudson's Bay Company. A copy of the War Badge receipt is provided with each note.

More information regarding the series can be found in Larry Gingras's book: 'Medals, Tokens & Paper Money of The Hudson's Bay Company', and, Michael Ryan's excellent paper (available online): 'Paper Money of a 'Peculiar Character': The Notes of The Hudson's Bay Company, 1820-1870,' thanks to Michael Ryan for his help and advice regarding the series.