Author Archives: Jim Szeplaki

Canadian numismatists owe a debt to Chet Krause

Chester 'Chet' Krause of Iola, Wisconsin launched what was then known as Canada Coin News in June 1963. The popular and successful hobby publisher died in June 2016.

Volume 1 No. 1 of Canada Coin News, as it was then known, was officially launched on June 3, 1963 by publisher, Chester L. Krause of Iola, Wisconsin. He was likely better known as the founder of Numismatic News and for his hobby publishing empire, Krause Publications; but without Krause’s efforts in creating CCN, who... Continue reading →

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U.S. collector’s 1872H quarter ‘a remarkable find’

PCGS graded this 1872H 25-cent piece as a copper sample in AU condition with environmental damage.

For one collector, an unusual coin has turned out to be a remarkable find. Four years ago Daryl Anderson, a United States collector from Washington State, spotted the coin, an 1872H 25-cent piece struck in copper, for sale online. With an interest in Canadian coins, Anderson was intrigued by the novelty. The British owner of... Continue reading →

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A numismatic vacation

There are plenty of numismatic events happening across Canada and the U.S. this summer.

Summer is quickly approaching and it’s at this time every year that we all begin to dream about our summer vacations. Why not blend your annual vacation with numismatics? There are a number of coin shows that you might want to take in this summer including the Brantford Coin Show on June 12 at the... Continue reading →

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Collectors rule the market, but what is a collector?

Royal Canadian Mint President and CEO Sandra Hanington (left) unveils a commemorative Star Trek coin with William Shatner.

The Royal Canadian Mint annual report is out, and once again the collector is king. For years, I have always looked at the numbers in our favourite crown corporation’s fiscal year end and pointed out the significant fact that sales to collectors has always been the most reliable, and generated the best profit margins, of... Continue reading →

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The nickel is running out of time, and relevance

A 2010-dated Canadian five-cent coin (commonly referred to as the nickel).

The recent Desjardins report does not mean the immediate end of the nickel, but it certainly is an indicator of what lies ahead. We can’t forget that the first sign the humble penny was on the way out was a similar report from the same organization. The Royal Canadian Mint doesn’t have to follow Desjardins’... Continue reading →

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Back to school I go

Columnist Jeff Fournier used a dazzling 40-note sheet of uncut 1973 series $1 banknotes to impress his audience of schoolchildren.

I recently had an opportunity to teach a group of junior and senior kindergarten kids about money: what it is, why we use it, where we can get it and why people collect it. That kind of thing. These were some of the concepts I tried to cover and some of the questions I tried... Continue reading →

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‘Embrace’ technology to grow hobby, says ANA past president

Walter Ostromecki, the ANA’s past president was the keynote speaker at the 2016 ONA convention banquet. Scott Douglas, right, was the master of ceremonies.

“We can’t keep doing things the same way because of tradition….we must change our culture, attitudes and values or our hobby will die.” This, according to ANA past president, Walter Ostromecki. He was the keynote speaker at the ONA’s April 9 convention banquet and although he delivered what might appear to be a bleak message,... Continue reading →

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Royal Mint creates fiasco with commemorative coins

I recently did my first podcast, on the wonderful world of non-circulating legal tender (NCLT) coins. Whenever I hear those words, I always do a quick check for the exits, because it rarely ends well. The good news is that this time Canada came out looking pretty good. For those of you who don’t know,... Continue reading →

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2016 Uncirculated sets contain 2015-dated loon

This 2016 Uncirculated set, which normally retails for $24.95, is selling for up to $300 due to an ‘assembly error’ in which a 2015-dated loonie was packaged instead of a 2016 loon. While confirming the error, the RCM is not disclosing how many error sets have been released on the market.

The $25 error sets realizing up to $300 By Bret Evans Between an error in some Royal Canadian Mint sets, and speculation about this year’s circulating issues, 2016 is shaping up to be an interesting year for collectors of dollar coins. An undisclosed number of 2016 Uncirculated sets, called Proof-Like by collectors, have the 2015-dated... Continue reading →

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Where are all the young collectors?

By Jeff Fournier I’ve been thinking a lot lately about the future of our hobby and whenever I start thinking about this subject, I always end up asking myself the question, “Where are the kids?” You’ve all noticed it – the lack of kids who collect coins nowadays and the lack of kids at coins... Continue reading →

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