Last week's auction by the Canadian Numismatic sale offered an impressive range of Canadian coins and currency.

Unfortunately the early piece of playing card money was withdrawn from sale. But there were many other pieces worth a good look for an avid collector of rare banknotes.

In particular, a Banque d'Hochelada note from 1911 stirred excitement in the audience.

Banque d'Hochelaga 1911 $10 banknote

It is one of only two known to exist, and clearly the finer of the two - at least according to the trusted Paper Money Guaranty company - making it a good candidate as an investment.

Vibrant colours with great centring set the piece apart from most banknotes regardless of its specific rarity. It sold for CAN$10,800 (US$10,470) to a delighted bidder.

Banknotes have been doing well in general in recent auctions, especially Chinese ones. A rare Ming dynasty note doubled its estimate in Hong Kong a matter of days ago, for example.