Numismatics, history and cultural storytelling will converge at the University of Calgary as Nickle Galleries hosts its fourth annual Numismatics Symposium, titled Napoleon, Money and More, on May 9 and 10.
Organized in partnership with the Calgary Numismatic Society, the two day event will bring together scholars, collectors, museum professionals and students for an exploration of Napoleonic era history and its numismatic legacy, while also addressing broader themes such as collecting, curation and public engagement.
Held at Nickle Galleries, the symposium reflects the growing role of academic institutions in advancing numismatic research through programming that connects coins with politics, economics and identity.
REVOLUTION, EMPIRE AND MONEY
Saturday’s program opens with Dr. Kelly Summers of MacEwan University, whose research centres on the intellectual and political tensions of the French Revolution. A Stanford PhD graduate, Summers has published widely on exile, citizenship and reconciliation in revolutionary France and is completing a book examining migration during the period from 1789 to 1815. Her presentation will examine the evolution of French currency systems from assignats to francs through the lens of Napoleon’s institutional reforms.
University of Alberta historian Dr. Joseph F. Patrouch follows with a presentation on Empress Marie Louise, Napoleon’s second wife. Patrouch is a specialist in Habsburg and early modern European history and has held academic appointments in Canada, the United States and Europe. In 2020, he was awarded Austria’s Ehrenkreuz für Wissenschaft und Kunst, First Class.
The morning concludes with Robert Morris, a long time collector marking 50 years in numismatics. Raised in the Northwest Territories, Morris developed an early interest in history that led him to ancient and medieval coins. His presentation on Cidramus and its coinage reflects his transition from collecting to research and education.
COLLECTIONS AND THE MARKET
Following lunch, the focus shifts to modern engagement and collecting practices.
Lucy Moore, associate curator of numismatics at the University of Leeds, will discuss digital engagement with institutional coin collections. Moore holds a PhD from the University of York, where her research examined ninth century Northumbrian coinage, and her work has focused on improving public access to numismatic material through digital tools and interpretation. She also serves as a trustee for several organizations including the Royal Numismatic Society, bringing both scholarly and public engagement perspectives to her presentation.
Zach Beazley, director of ancient coins at Heritage Auctions, will present on responsible ownership and building an ancient coin collection through major auction platforms. After beginning his career in information systems, Beazley entered the numismatic field full time in 2003 and developed a reputation for detailed cataloguing and research. Since joining Heritage in 2017, he has played a central role in cataloguing major sales and securing consignments. The firm’s world and ancient coin catalogues have received repeated recognition from the Numismatic Literary Guild.
The day concludes with a workshop led by François Rufiange, a numismatist with more than 25 years of experience and past president of the Société numismatique de Québec. A retired aerospace engineer who served 36 years in the Royal Canadian Air Force, Rufiange is known for his detailed photographic work and teaching style. His session will examine the challenges of distinguishing Mint State coins from those that have circulated, including the boundary between About Uncirculated and Mint State grading.
CANADIAN CONTEXT AND COUNTERMARKS
Sunday’s program opens with Andrew Winger, a Montreal based consultant with Heritage Auctions, who will explore Canada’s economic landscape during the Napoleonic era. Drawing on his background in world history and maritime archaeology, Winger connects global economic shifts with the Canadian experience, offering context for how international conflict and trade influenced currency and commerce in British North America.
Greg Bennick follows with a presentation on counterstamped coins and their dual function as currency and communication. Bennick has been active in numismatics for more than 40 years, specializing in counterstamps and mint errors. He serves on the boards of CONECA and TAMS and writes a regular column for the Canadian Numismatic Journal. He is also known for presentations that connect technical numismatic detail with broader historical context.
STUDENT RESEARCH
The symposium will also highlight emerging scholarship from University of Calgary students, offering insight into how the next generation of researchers is engaging with numismatics, material culture and historical interpretation.
Yessenia Castro, who is completing a degree in anthropology with minors in archaeology and museum and heritage studies, brings a focus on the role of collections in shaping public understanding. Through her work as a visitor experience guide at The Confluence, she has gained experience in programming, education and collections access. Her practicum at Nickle Galleries provided direct exposure to numismatic collections and archival work, where she explored how artifacts function as connections between communities, stories and place.
Marellah Roda, a third year Bachelor of Arts history student, approaches numismatics through a broader interest in royal and social history. Her academic focus includes the study of women in Roman, Ottoman and English contexts as well as Catholic and fashion history. Her work reflects an interest in how identity, power and representation are expressed through material culture. She plans to pursue a career in curation and conservation.
Paige White, completing a Bachelor of Fine Arts in visual studies with a minor in museum and heritage studies, offers an interdisciplinary perspective that bridges studio art and conservation. Her practicum within the Nickle Galleries numismatics collection involved cataloguing, handling and researching historical coinage. Her work emphasizes coins as both artistic creations and historical artifacts, with a focus on preservation and long term interpretation.
CURATION AND SPECIALIZED STUDY
Marina Fischer, Associate Curator of Numismatics at Nickle Galleries, Libraries and Cultural Resources at the University of Calgary, will present on a tiger countermark found on Napoleon era five franc coins. Fischer oversees a collection of approximately 23,000 objects spanning from the seventh century BCE to the modern era and plays a leading role in exhibitions and public programming. Her work has helped position Nickle Galleries as a centre for numismatic study in Western Canada.
The symposium concludes with a second workshop by Rufiange focused on identifying high grade coins and the practical aspects of searching rolls.
REGISTRATION DETAILS
Registration is available for both days of the symposium, with separate options for presentations and workshops.
Saturday presentations, which run from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and include lunch, can be booked here:
4th Annual Numismatics Symposium: Napoleon, Money and More, May 9-10, 2026 / University of Calgary
The Saturday workshop from 3 p.m. to 4:45 p.m. is available here:
https://workrooms.ucalgary.ca/event/4012644
Sunday presentations from 10 a.m. to 1:45 p.m., including lunch, can be booked here:
4th Annual Numismatics Symposium: Napoleon, Money and More, May 9-10, 2026 / University of Calgary
The Sunday workshop from 2:15 p.m. to 4 p.m. is available here:
https://workrooms.ucalgary.ca/event/4012645
Another option is to visit the Nickle Galleries website at https://nickle.ucalgary.ca/. Click on the “Events” tab in the top menu, then navigate to May 9 and May 10.
GROWING NUMISMATIC PLATFORM
With its mix of academic research, market insight and practical instruction, the Calgary symposium continues to build its profile as a forum for numismatic dialogue in Canada. By bringing together established experts and emerging scholars, the event highlights both the historical significance of Napoleonic coinage and the evolving ways in which coins are studied, collected and interpreted today.
The symposium is possible in large part due to the support of the Calgary Numismatic Society, a long-established non-profit educational organization dedicated to promoting numismatics through monthly meetings, guest lectures, public events and coin shows. The society has played a central role in fostering collector education and community engagement in Western Canada for decades and has also hosted the annual convention of the Royal Canadian Numismatic Association on multiple occasions, most recently in 2025, further underscoring its leadership within the Canadian numismatic community.