By Jesse Robitaille
The Toronto Coin Expo will hit Ontario’s capital downtown Toronto May 29-30 for its spring gathering.
The semi-annual event is held every spring and fall at the Toronto Reference Library at 789 Yonge St. One of Canada’s top shows, it offers collectors the chance to buy, sell, trade and appraise all kinds of items, said organizer Jared Stapleton.
“The venue is very important as it relates to numismatics and research,” said Stapleton. “And with world-renowned dealers in attendance, you’ll be sure to get the best market price.”
Regular daily admission to the show is $6, but children 16 and under are free.
Stapleton, who is also the owner of Metro Coin and Banknote in Toronto, said one expo highlight is the auction, presented by Geoffrey Bell Auctions.
“We’re working with the Bells, and they bring fresh material to the market auction after auction. Highlights of this sale include Bell’s significant token collection and the Cooper collection, a large consignment featuring what is probably the best Canadian counter-stamped collection in the world,” he said. “The Bells have world-class material, and they bring it to the collectors.”
The live auction begins a day early, on May 28, and runs until May 29. Lot viewing runs between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. both days, with bidding starting at 6 p.m. It is open to the public and free to attend.
Stapleton said another focus of the expo is on children in numismatics.
“We will have a Coin Kids table at the spring show and a speaker, Chris Boyer, who does a lot with the Coin Kids program,” said Stapleton. “Kids, this is the show to learn all about collecting coins and banknotes. Stop by the Coin Kids table and pick up a treasure for your collection.”
The goal of the Coin Kids symposium is to get boy scouts and girl guides involved, helping them earn their collector badges.
“Chris has volunteered to run the seminar workshop and help them get interested in collecting.”
The second symposium is led by the Canadian Centennial Coin Club’s Len Kuenzig.
“Len will be our speaker, and he’s going to be talking about centennial collectibles.”
Stapleton said the show’s service to collectors is what has kept it alive and well since its inauguration in 2012.
“It’s an exciting time for the numismatic hobby,” he said. “The Toronto Coin Expo was born out of the void of having had no downtown Toronto coin show for many years.
As in previous years, the expo will offer special-edition wooden coins to its first 40 paid guests on both days.
“This is Toronto’s coin show,” said Stapleton, “and you’re sure to find one-of-a-kind treasures. It’s an event you’ll want to attend.”
Toronto’s 2015 Fall Expo is scheduled for Oct. 2-3 at the same location. For more information or directions, visit canadiancoinnews.com/event/toronto-coin-expo.
Workshops for kids and grown-ups
On Saturday, May 30, the Toronto Coin Expo will host two educational workshops – free for attendees – in the library’s Bram & BlumaAppel Salon.
Chris Boyer will offer an introduction to collecting coins for children. A full-time teacher, Boyer has been leading kids’ coin clubs for more than 20 years. His workshop at the expo is designed for children, using genuine examples of coins, medals, tokens and banknotes to teach strategies for successfully starting and maintaining a collection. Each participant in the workshop will receive a starter set of coin holders and a page to begin the collection. “A must-attend for kids of all ages, so reserve your spot today,” said organizer Jared Stapleton.
Len Kuenzig and other members of the Canadian Centennial Coin Club will explore the exciting world of collecting centennial ephemera from around Canada. He will be reviewing the first published book on centennial medals, written by Jack Roberts, Stanley Hayduk and Brian Thomson. “A fun and lively club to join,” said Stapleton.