Author Archives: Jim Szeplaki

Two unusual finds at inaugural show

Longtime collector Jerry Lemick displays an unopened Royal Canadian Mint wooden box containing one hundred 1961 Proof-like sets at the inaugural Welland Coin Show on Oct. 3. Lemick purchased the box from a relative in 1964 and has never opened it. (Photo by Mike Walsh)

An unopened Royal Canadian Mint wooden box containing 100 Proof-Like sets from 1961 and a newly issued Samoan banknote caught the attention of collectors at the inaugural Welland Coin Show. Both are featured in the latest issue of Canadian Coin News (Vol. 64, No. 16), released Oct. 13, 2026. Longtime collector Jerry Lemick brought an... Continue reading →

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Historic medals, notes headline Bell sale

Commemorating the fall of Montreal during the Seven Years’ War, Lot 157 is a 1760 silver Montreal Taken medal from the Geoffrey Bell Canadian Medal Collection. It is estimated at $15,000-$20,000.

A medal commemorating the British conquest of Montreal, two major Bank of Hamilton notes and unusual Royal Canadian Mint test tokens are among the highlights of Geoffrey Bell Auctions’ fall sale. The 690-lot auction will be held Oct. 23 in conjunction with the Toronto Coin Expo at the Toronto Reference Library. The sale brings together... Continue reading →

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Small Beads dollar highlights Canada auction

A 1966 Small Beads silver dollar graded Proof-Like 65 by PCGS is among the highlights of Heritage Auctions’ Canada Showcase Auction. Lot 25175, from the John Lewis Powell Collection, is one of two examples of the sought-after variety in the Sept. 30 sale. Heritage reports a mintage of only 485 pieces.

A coveted 1966 Small Beads silver dollar, high-grade pre-Confederation tokens and an unusual gold fantasy depicting what Canadian coinage might have looked like under Edward VIII are among the highlights of Heritage Auctions’ latest Canada-focused sale. Heritage’s Spotlight: Canada Showcase Auction closes Sept. 30, offering collectors a broad selection of Canadian numismatic material. The sale... Continue reading →

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Small Beads dollar leads Colonial sale

A 1966 Small Beads silver dollar certified MS-65 by ICG and ICCS is the marquee offering in Colonial Acres’ Sept. 25-27 Premier Auction. With a reported mintage of just 485 pieces, Lot 804 is estimated at $8,500 and up.

A seldom-seen 1966 Small Beads silver dollar leads an impressive lineup of Canadian decimal rarities featured in the latest issue of Canadian Coin News, released Sept. 1. The coin is one of the marquee offerings in Colonial Acres’ three-day Fall Premier Numismatic Auction, set for Sept. 25-27. The firm’s 161st auction features more than 1,800... Continue reading →

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St. George sale showcases high-grade Canadian coins

A 1936 Canadian 50-cent piece graded PCGS MS-64 and pedigreed to the Victoria Collection leads the featured lots in St. George Auctions’ Sept. 12 sale. Lot 180 is described by auctioneer Ethan Wright as fully lustrous with an above-average strike.

A high-grade 1936 Canadian 50-cent piece with a pedigree tracing to the renowned Victoria Collection will headline St. George Auctions’ 311-lot fall sale, set for Sept. 12 during the National Postage Stamp & Coin Show in Mississauga, Ont. Graded PCGS MS-64, the George V half dollar combines strong lustre, an above-average strike and an important... Continue reading →

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Renwick honoured with hobby’s highest award

Although unable to attend the 2026 Royal Canadian Numismatic Association Convention in Winnipeg, 93-year-old Barrie Renwick accepts the J. Douglas Ferguson Award, Canada’s highest numismatic honour, via a live online connection during the association’s annual awards banquet. (Photo by Mike Walsh)

One of Canada's respected numismatic researchers, authors and editors has received the nation's highest honour in numismatics. Barrie Renwick, 93, was presented with the 2026 J. Douglas Ferguson Award during the Royal Canadian Numismatic Association's annual convention in Winnipeg. Continue reading →

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AI offers collectors powerful research tool, but expert urges caution

Russ Bega, an American Numismatic Association grading instructor and researcher with Harlan J. Berk Ltd., discussed how artificial intelligence can accelerate numismatic research while emphasizing the importance of verification and responsible use.

Artificial intelligence is transforming the way collectors research, organize and write about numismatics, offering new opportunities to speed up everything from auction catalogue preparation to historical investigations. But as the technology becomes more widely adopted, experts say it must be used responsibly and never as a substitute for careful scholarship. Continue reading →

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Historic Fort Garry note headlines RCNA auction

Issued at Fort Garry in May 1870, this Hudson’s Bay Company £1 sterling promissory note bears manuscript signatures, period endorsements and a Fort Garry transit handstamp dating from the tumultuous Red River period and the transfer of Rupert’s Land to Canada.

A remarkable piece of Western Canadian history headlines the latest issue of Canadian Coin News as an 1870 Hudson’s Bay Company promissory note issued at Fort Garry takes centre stage in The Canadian Numismatic Company’s official 2026 RCNA Convention auction in Winnipeg. Bearing a May 1870 Fort Garry transit handstamp, the note offers a tangible... Continue reading →

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Behind the RCNA Bourse

Since 2019, Jeff Wilson has served as the Royal Canadian Numismatic Association’s bourse chair, working with dealers across Canada and internationally to build and maintain one of the convention’s premier attractions. An active numismatist himself, Wilson is also involved in exhibiting and other facets of the hobby, bringing a broad perspective and deep commitment to the convention each year.

For most collectors, the RCNA Convention begins when they walk onto the bourse floor. For Jeff Wilson, it never really ends. As the Royal Canadian Numismatic Association's volunteer bourse chair, Wilson spends virtually every day of the year working behind the scenes to help organize Canada's premier numismatic event. From dealer recruitment and table assignments... Continue reading →

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