Category Archives: Top Story

While the hobby’s response to COVID-19, its most consequential challenge in many decades, highlights the strength of Canadian numismatics, there are grave concerns about diminished camaraderie during and after the pandemic. Since March, collectors, dealers, auctioneers, show organizers and anyone else involved in numismatics have been forced to move their hobbies and businesses online. The pandemic... Continue reading →

Despite the unprecedented cancellation of its annual convention this year, the Royal Canadian Numismatic Association (RCNA) remains active in planning for a future beyond the pandemic. The cancellation of the RCNA’s flagship event was top of mind for officials at this year’s annual general meeting (AGM), which was held virtually – another first for the group... Continue reading →

An avid collector for more than half a century, Edmonton’s Tony Wait saw CCN’s COVID-19 medal design contest as an opportunity to share his life interests and experiences with the world. Wait, 57, was one of six contestants in the recent contest that drew a dozen designs from collectors across the country. His winning design... Continue reading →

After a close competition between six contestants who submitted a dozen designs, CCN’s COVID-19 medal is now ready to order. Anthony Waite, 57, of Edmonton, Alta., submitted the winning design featured on the reverse of the medal, which will be available in three compositions, including silver, with a limited mintage of 100, plus cupronickel and... Continue reading →

A burgeoning art form that has steadily gained momentum since the early 1980s, carving hobo nickels “feels like meditation” to one Canadian producer. Because they are individually carved, hobo nickels – essentially bas-relief sculptures – are all unique works of art, something that appeals to collectors and carvers alike. While there’s no Canadian club focusing solely on... Continue reading →

As Canada came to the fore of the numismatic world in the mid-19th century, it was on the backs of numismatic researchers and writers like Robert Wallace McLachlan. Born in Montréal in 1845, McLachlan amassed the most extensive coin collection in 19th-century Canada. What was in 1894 more than 8,000 pieces, ranging from ancients to... Continue reading →

Nearly 1,300 lots crossed the block this September during Colonial Acres’ two-session Premier Auction, which topped 100 active online bidders and hit a successful sell-through rate of three-quarters. Paper money, bullion and high-quality key-date coins led the way in the Sept. 11-12 sale, which saw strong realizations in each of those three sections. Aside from... Continue reading →

Numismatic history dates back to at least the Renaissance (1300-1600) and possibly even to ancient times. Through the centuries, numismatics’ backbone has been research and writing, which remain at the forefront of the hobby today. Research and writing are how seasoned collectors break new ground – the inexorable march of numismatic progress – but it’s... Continue reading →

The relative success of Canada’s Dominion Bank Act, which shifted control of the banking industry to the government beginning in 1870, was exacerbated by the Long Depression a few years later. A worldwide recession, the Long Depression was triggered by the so-called “Panic of 1873,” which was driven by several factors and quickly strained bank... Continue reading →

While the annual convention of the Royal Canadian Numismatic Association (RCNA) was cancelled due to COVID-19, the show’s four-session auction is going ahead online. The 1,944-lot auction was originally scheduled to take place at the July 21-25 convention in Halifax, N.S.; however, with the pandemic causing widespread event cancellations since mid-March, the sale was pushed... Continue reading →