Robin Reader, who spent more than 40 years as a coin dealer at the Pickering Markets, died recently after living 12 years with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). He was 76.
“His knowledge of computers and passion for coins and numismatics will be greatly missed by those who knew him,” his obituary reads.
Nigel Mackey, of Mackey Stamps and Coins, worked with Reader for about 15 years at the popular market located in the city of Pickering, Ont. “I worked at his booth. I sold stamps and he sold coins.” Mackey says when he bought collections that included coins, he would sell the coins to Reader, who reciprocated. “That’s how I later got into the coin business,” said the Peterborough, Ont.-based dealer.
Born in Limehouse in East London, England, Reader also sold coins for years at the Toronto Harbourfront market and operated a coin store at Toronto’s Danforth and Jones avenues.
“He was very knowledgeable and very fair,” Mackay says of his longtime friend. A memorial service was held on Feb. 26 at the Dixon-Garland Funeral Home in Markham, Ont.