The Royal Canadian Numismatic Association is returning to the Toronto area, Aug. 12-16, when the organization holds its 60th annual convention.
One of the highlights is the bourse, which with more than 50 tables, is the largest and most prestigious in Canada. However, seasoned collectors know there is much more to the event than just the one room.
Over the course of the five days, various organizations plan meetings, including the Newfoundland Enthusiasts, Canadian Association of Token Collectors, Canadian Tire Corporation Coupon Collectors, Canadian Paper Money Society, Canadian Errors and Varieties Numismatic Association, RCNA, Ferguson Foundation, Canadian Numismatic Research Society, Canadian Association of Wooden Money Collectors, Society of Bearded Numismatists, and others.
There are also receptions, plus tours of Niagara, Black Creek Pioneer Village, and the Royal Ontario and Gardiner museums.
Educational events include the annual daylong coin grading and preservation workshop, which will be held on the first day of the convention. The event is usually held in the fall in Toronto, but this year has been moved to coincide with the convention. As in recent years, the convention will also play host to a daylong educational symposium, being held Aug, 13, starting at 9 a.m., with comments by moderator Henry Nienhuis.
Focused on a theme of Hands Across the Border, the many talks focus on paper money and banking, a tribute to the 50th anniversary of the Canadian Paper Money Society.
Speakers include Wendell Wolka, on “Parallels in Canadian and United States Banking”; Walter Ostromecki, “Connecting Hobbyists Today Through Coins and Currency”; Clifford Mishler, “Hands Across the Border”; Paul Berry, “Phantom Banknotes and the Financial Crisis of 1837”; Clifford Beattie, “Canada’s $1 Face Proofs/Specimen Bank Notes”; and Vanessa Stergulic, “Security Features on Canadian Bank Notes.”
The convention will include a large, four-day auction conducted by the Canadian Numismatic Company.
Auctioneer Eric Pacquet said the keystone of the sale is the Sakaguchi collection, along with offerings from 52 other consignors from across North America.
“We expect this to be the most prestigious numismatic event of 2014, featuring a superb and diverse collection of Canada’s finest and rarest coins and banknotes,” he said.
This collection features an 1889 ten cents in ICCS MS-65, an 1890H 50 cents in ICCS MS-62, an 1870 $2 note in F/VF, a 1935 $1,000 French text in Choice AU, three consecutive 1935 $1,000s including a radar note, and a 1937 $50 Osborne in PMG UNC-66.
In addition to circulated notes, the collection offers Proofs and Specimens. Among the special serial numbers are million, solid, and ladder numbers, as well as several notes numbered 1.
Pacquet said the collection has been entirely assembled within the last 20 years, with the collector hunting through stores, shows and auctions.
“In most circumstances this collector tried to purchase only the best and problem-free notes of each type,” he said. “Through aggressive research and negotiating, he has managed what most would consider almost impossible by today’s standards to put together. Certain issues are either one of a kind or top graded for type.
“Preparing the catalogue has been a wonderful task and a true career highlight. This collection surprised us with items that we assumed would never turn up in our lifetime or in the future.”
The sale will be held at the same location as the convention, the Delta Meadowvale Hotel and Conference Centre, 6750 Mississauga Rd. in Mississauga. The four sessions will be held Aug. 13-16 The first session take place Aug. 13 at 7 p.m.; the second session on Aug. 14 at 7:30 p.m.; the third session Aug. 15 at 5:30 p.m.; and the fourth session on Aug. 16 at noon.
For more information on the auction, go to tcnc.ca. For more information on the convention, go to rcna.ca.