Category Archives: Top Story

In a 15-year project focusing on family history, Vancouver collector Michael Souza is using currency and stamps to tell the story of his late father, who was a veteran of the Battle of Hong Kong. Born in Hong Kong on July 12, 1921, Henry Souza joined the Hong Kong Volunteer Defence Corps (HKVDC) at the... Continue reading →

“Like any good story, we always start at the beginning.” Once upon a time, Calgarian Lisa Dare worked with a woman whose husband was a coin collector. As many collectors do, this man shared his hobby with friends, including fellow Calgarian and long-time numismatist James Williston. Eventually, Dare’s colleague encouraged her to go on a... Continue reading →

The first rule of counterfeit detection is, “See what’s there, not what you’re expecting.” This according to Mike Marshall, Canada’s pre-eminent counterfeit coin expert, who led a two-and-a-half-hour seminar at the recent National Postage Stamp and Coin Show in Mississauga. An air-traffic controller by day, Marshall also uses his dedicated concentration and problem-solving skills for... Continue reading →

Collectors rushed the doors of the Fall 2019 National Postage Stamp and Coin Show this September amid the fervour surrounding Canada’s rarest coin, which was being shown publicly for the first time in 30 years. Displayed alongside a complete set of 1911-12 specimen coins, the only privately owned 1911 silver dollar was on the bourse... Continue reading →

Alongside millions of books, monographs, films, maps and other related research material, the Toronto Coin Expo is set to return to the downtown Toronto Reference Library on Oct. 4-5. This fall’s Coin Expo will feature more than 35 coin and banknote dealers on the bourse plus a pair of numismatic workshops, but show-goers have also... Continue reading →

One of only two known 1911 silver dollars was recently “repatriated” by a pair of Canadian dealers, who partnered together to place a winning bid of $552,000 US (about $735,000 Cdn.) on the 339th lot of the Cook Collection of Canadian Coins. Offered by Texas-based Heritage Auctions on Aug. 15, the iconic Canadian rarity sold... Continue reading →

With 20 unique pieces among its more than 250 rare and highly graded specimen coins, the Cornerstone Collection exceeded virtually all expectations when it was offered in a fixed-price catalogue beginning this June. Assembled by the Rogozinsky family over a nearly 50-year period, the multi-generational collection is estimated at $5 million altogether. It was sold in... Continue reading →

A city perhaps better known for its cows, Calgary is also a hotbed of numismatics, with its “western spirit” echoing the true spirit of a coin show – its camaraderie. This July, Canada’s numismatic community came together for the 66th annual convention of the Royal Canadian Numismatic Association (RCNA) in Calgary, where western hospitality had collectors touting... Continue reading →

Two rare gold gilt patterns produced for British Columbia in 1862 and described by auctioneers as being “amongst the rarest of Canadian issues” brought $348,000 at the recent Torex Auction this June. Offered as Lot 434 of the 1,554-lot sale, the pattern coins were struck about five years before Canadian Confederation – when British Columbia was... Continue reading →

A century after Calgarians dedicated “The Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth” to soldiers returning from the First World War, the Royal Canadian Mint has unveiled a pure silver coin commemorating the 1919 “Victory Stampede.” The coin – as well as this year’s Calgary Stampede parade, which kicks off the 10-day event on July 5 – marks... Continue reading →