Category Archives: Top Story

Beyond circulation and collector coins, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) is also the focus of many numismatic “fringe” pieces issued in Canada since the “Mounties” were formed in 1873 as the North-West Mounted Police. A century later, the RCMP’s 100th anniversary was widely commemorated on municipal trade tokens, medals and so-called “challenge coins,” the... Continue reading →

After a robust year in Canadian numismatics, collectors and dealers alike are looking back at the past 12 months to shine a light on where the hobby is headed next. In regards to major collections being offered on the market – and rewriting the market’s trends – the sales of the “Cornerstone” and George Cook... Continue reading →

Remembered as a legend of Canadian numismatics and with many decades of service as a trusted coin dealer, Bob Armstrong, of Owen Sound, Ont., died on Nov. 8 at the age of 84. A life member of the Royal Canadian Numismatic Association (RCNA) and Ontario Numismatic Association (ONA), the latter of which he joined in... Continue reading →

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 →