A landmark auction and a new era converge this month as All Nations Stamp and Coin presents its 1,550th sale, a 200-lot event that marks a significant milestone for the long-running Vancouver collectibles firm.
Founded in 1949, the company has remained a steady presence in the Canadian collectibles marketplace for more than 75 years. Last month, longtime owner Brian Grant Duff transferred ownership to Firmin Wyndels, marking a transition designed to maintain continuity while positioning the firm for continued growth. The anniversary sale arrives at a symbolic moment in the company’s history.
While All Nations is widely known for its philatelic auctions, the sale also includes several items of interest to numismatists.
Coin and bullion highlights
Among the numismatic offerings is a 1931 George V gold sovereign struck at the Perth Mint in Australia, offered as Lot 193. The coin bears the “P” mintmark of Perth and is struck in 91.7 per cent gold with an actual gold weight of 0.2355 ounces.
Ancient coinage is represented by Lot 194, a Roman bronze as of Emperor Domitian, who ruled from AD 81 to AD 96. Measuring 28 millimetres in diameter, the coin features Moneta, the Roman goddess associated with money and the mint, a figure frequently depicted on Roman imperial coinage.
Modern Canadian silver is also featured in the sale. Lot 196 offers a complete 1976 Canadian Olympic silver coin set issued for the Montreal Summer Games. The boxed set includes 28 coins in total, comprising 14 five-dollar pieces and 14 ten-dollar pieces. Struck in silver, the coins contain a combined actual silver weight of 30.24 ounces.
Weekly auction continues
All Nations conducts online auctions each Saturday beginning at 12 noon, with bid updates posted midweek and again on Fridays.
Floor bidding for the 1,550th milestone sale begins at 1:30 p.m. PT on March 7 at 5630 Dunbar St. in Vancouver. Online, agent and telephone bidding options are also available.
The anniversary sale marks both a notable milestone and a new chapter for a firm that has served collectors since 1949. Under new ownership, All Nations continues its weekly auction tradition while entering a new phase in its history.
Collectors seeking additional information or bidding arrangements may contact Firmin Wyndels at firmin@weeda.com or 250-385-1826, or Brian Grant Duff at collect@direct.ca or 604-684-4613.