Author Archives: Jim Szeplaki

When Paul Johnson approached Yvon Marquis to be the guest speaker at the 2017 RCNA convention, Marquis agreed, but Johnson cautioned him that it shouldn’t be a speech based on numismatics alone, since many of the attendees would be non-collectors. “So I wondered, what could be the topic of this speech?” said Marquis. Now, if you’ve never attended an RCNA convention banquet because you were afraid that you and your spouse might find the evening’s events and guest speaker a little dry, your fears would have been alleviated at this year’s affair in Boucherville, Que. Marquis, who converses in both of Canada’s official languages, somehow managed to combine the hobby of numismatics with history, music and comedy – in both official languages for the most part – to keep the banquet attendees in stitches as they sat glued to his every word. Continue reading →

The 49th edition of the prestigious  J. Douglas Ferguson Award for distinguished service to Canadian numismatics was awarded to Paul Petch at the annual Royal Canadian Numismatic Association’s convention banquet held in Boucherville, Que.  on July 22. The award was established in 1969 and sponsored by Douglas Ferguson who, at the time, was Honorary President of the CAN (Canadian Numismatic Association). This annual award is presented to the living numismatist who has greatly contributed to the advancement of numismatics in Canada by research, writing, publishing, or other means – and who has not previously won the award.  Ferguson set up an independent Board of Award with CNA representation for the award administration. He made the selections for the 1969 and 1970 winners and determined that the board would choose the future winners from nominations made by CNA members. Ferguson had a Montreal artist design the award medal. He proposed that the award be given only to living numismatists and so the names of early greats such as Breton, LeRoux, Courteau and McLachlan are not on the list of previous recipients. The J. Douglas Ferguson Award is the highest distinction in Canadian numismatics and is the highlight of every convention. Continue reading →

The 55th annual Ontario Numismatic Association Convention is history now. And if you were in attendance, you will know that in order to have taken in all that it had to offer, you would have had to go at a break-neck pace. In fact, it would have been nearly impossible to attend all of the events and meetings that took place in Kitchener-Waterloo from April 21-23. From the educational forum held on Friday afternoon, to the final meeting of CAFNE on Sunday, there was plenty to do for any collector and little time to get bored. Continue reading →

The Bank of Canada revealed the designs of the Canada 150 commemorative note on April 7, 2017, in a ceremony that was extremely respectful of Canada’s First Nations. Indeed, the note’s designs depict Canada’s history, land, and culture to reflect the contributions of people of different nations to make Canada what it is today. After the ceremony, subject matter experts were present to share their pride in bringing this unique banknote to Canadians. Martine Warren, bank note design specialist of the currency department, spoke of the many anti-counterfeiting elements that are making this note, “even more secure than the notes of the current Frontiers series.” Continue reading →

In 2016 the Royal Canadian Mint offered 220 collector products, making up 284 coins, with the cost of acquiring one of every item totalling $529,162, the first time that number has crossed the half a million dollar mark. The number of issues is down slightly from the previous year when the Royal Canadian Mint offered 225 products, but the actual cost is up from last year`s $339,858. One reason for the difference is the addition of an additional one gold and two silver kilogram issues, and a general increased price of the popular one and two ounce silver coins. Collectors generally shun the low-mintage gold and silver kilogram series. The four gold and five silver kilogram coins issued in 2016 had a total cost of $329,858. In 2015 the RCM issued three gold kilogram coins and three silver kilogram issues with a total cost of $213,889. When the kilogram issues are removed, the cost of the remaining issues of 2016 comes in at $199,304, comparable but still higher than the $125,000, the previous year. Continue reading →

Desirable items were met with strong bidding and realizations at Jeffrey Hoare Auctions' Numismatic and Military Sale No. 122 on Jan. 29. “There was strong bidding from both the floor and over the telephone,” Wendy Hoare told CCN. “Overall I am very pleased with the sale.” All of the tokens from the collection of collector and dealer Jack. C. Lavis sold. Among the highlights were Lots 95 and 96, a pair of desirable blacksmith tokens. Considered contemporary counterfeits, blacksmith tokens are known for small flans and poorly struck images, often in mirror form of the original token. Lot 95, a Warehouse/JB in script (BL-31), About Fine, sold for $1,200, the full pre-sale estimate; while Lot 96, a bust left and Britannia facing right (BL-38A2), VG with a tiny clip and some verdigris, sold for $2,600, compared to an estimate of $2,000. Continue reading →