The Edmonton Numismatic Society’s Spring Money Show and Sale dazzled attendees over the March 8-9 weekend, drawing in a remarkable 1,916 visitors. From seasoned collectors to curious enthusiasts, the event showcased the vibrant world of numismatics in Edmonton.
“That’s a new record for attendance for a spring show in Edmonton,” says ENS past president Marc Bink. “This reinforces the ENS’s claim of being the “Largest Coin Show in Canada”.
This year’s show, hosted for the 26th year by the Edmonton club, featured an impressive lineup of 54 dealers from across Canada. From ancient treasures to modern Canadian and worldwide currency attendees were treated to a diverse array of numismatic offerings.
This also marks the fourth show since the ENS moved to a new venue – the Central Lions Senior Centre in downtown Edmonton. Bink says the new venue has been well received by vendors and the public as it offers plentiful parking and a large well-lit bourse area in a modern climate-controlled facility.
This spring, the club introduced a new hammered collectable Show Token. The theme selected for 2024 was that of the Athenian Owl, based on an archaic tetradrachm from Athens. The prototype was minted around 449 BC. This is the third coin of a series of collectible tokens started in 2022. At the spring show it was offered in three different metals in return for a donation to the club of $5 each. The first issue was patterned from an Edward III Groat, and last year’s issue was patterned from a Shilling of Charles I (in commemoration of the ascension of King Charles III). All tokens on hand (including remnants of the previous year’s runs) were sold out.
The club also ran a silent auction with 174 numismatic themed lots and 92 per cent were sold. Another feature was the Youth Auction, where young numismatists were given ENS “play money” to bid on donated numismatic items. This attracted 23 youth who by all reports had a great time, says Bink.
Another attraction was the free “market evaluations” which was offered as a service to the public, and patronage was non-stop throughout the course of the weekend.
The ENS’s famous “Hospitality Suite’ on Saturday night was well received by dealers and volunteers alike with more than 70 people attending.
“A coin show of this magnitude requires 121 volunteer positions,” Bink says. “The membership of the ENS was once again able to fill all the roles.”
Bink adds the ENS wants to thank all the dealers, attendees, volunteers and the staff at the Lions Centre. The majority of the 60 dealer tables have already been sold for the club’s fall show, Sept. 21-22.
For more information about the club, visit edmontoncoinclub.com.