Author Archives: Jim Szeplaki
Collectors get rare glimpse of unstamped Indian Treaty Medal
Rare coin dealer Jacob Lipson recently acquired an unstamped Indian Treaty Medal that has provided collectors an opportunity to view up close one of the most treasured medals in Canadian Indigenous history. “It’s been a pleasure and a privilege to show it to the many collectors who stopped by my table to take a look... Continue reading →
CCN columnist marks 50 years
Long-time researcher and writer Stanley Clute marked 50 years with CCN this October in an unprecedented feat of longevity for Canada’s national numismatic magazine. A Fellow of both the Royal Canadian Numismatic Association (RCNA) and the Canadian Numismatic Research Society (CNRS), Clute has regularly contributed to CCN since 1973, when he took over the “Questions... Continue reading →
‘Trophy note’ snatched up at auction, but P.E.I. collection steals the show
While the “superb rarity” 1935 Bank of Canada banknote took the spotlight at Geoffrey Bell Auctions’ sale held at the Toronto Coin Expo, it was Ralph Dickieson’s Prince Edward Island collection that generated the most intense bidding among collectors. “I am really, really pleased,” auctioneer Brian Bell said when asked about Lot 530 featuring the... Continue reading →
Mint beefs up SMLs for 35th anniversary
Introduced by the Royal Canadian Mint in 1988, the Silver Maple Leaf (SML) has become one of the world’s most secure silver bullion coins. To mark its 35th anniversary, the mint’s October releases include two special SMLs with very low mintage. While regular SMLs offer one silver ounce, the first anniversary edition coin is a... Continue reading →
St. Eligius masters the golden era of giving back
Most numismatic enthusiasts know that St. Eligius is the patron saint of this fun pastime, but how many actually know anything about him? Grand Knight Scott Douglas of the St. Eligius Brotherhood of Numismatists in Canada, gave a presentation at the National Postage Stamp and Coin Show where he spoke about Eligius’s life. Douglas recently... Continue reading →
Specimen-grade ‘King of Canadian Coins’ changes hands
The Specimen-64 “King of Canadian Coins” featured in Colonial Acres’ Fall Premier Numismatic Auction has a new owner after selling for $160,480 at the National Postage Stamp and Coin Show. One of six Specimen-grade examples of the 1921-dated 50-cent piece known to exist, Lot 616B featured a beautiful PCGS-graded coin “garbed in a fitting sombre... Continue reading →
1935 Bank of Canada $500 to make auction debut at Toronto Coin Expo
A 1935 $500 Bank of Canada banknote that “hasn’t seen the light of day at any auction” will make its first appearance at Geoffrey Bell Auctions (GBA)’s Sept. 29 sale on the opening day of the Toronto Coin Expo. Describing it as a “superb rarity,” GBA’s Brian Bell says the auction firm acquired the rare... Continue reading →