Volume 53#12

September 22 – October 5, 2015

These five finalists are among 25 designs chosen as part of the Royal Canadian Mint’s ‘My Design, My Inspiration’ contest. This category, ‘Our Wonders,’ is one of five and celebrates Canada’s beauty.

My Design, My Inspiration contest begins month-long vote

ck (and you’d also be fairly forgetful, seeing as the Royal Canadian Mint has held public design contests in the past). Mint spokesperson Alex Reeves said the nationwide “My Design, My Inspiration” contest is open for voting throughout the month of September. And while the Mint chose the top 10 designs for each of the five categories, Reeves said a “panel of notable Canadians” (see sidebar) helped whittle down that list even further. Now, with five finalists chosen for each of the five categories, the designs are vying for a spot on Canada’s circulation coinage for 2017, which will mark the 150th anniversary since Canadian Confederation. Continue reading →

Features

1880s coin and stamp journal found at auction

Page 1

Strong performance’ in Mint’s Q2 financial report

Page 6

Southwestern Ontario sale packs military punch

Page 18

From the art of Thomson to railway phantom

Page 26

Regulars

Focus on Canadian 20 and 25 cents

Page 10

Are you buying or selling?

Page 34

Check out the shows in your area

Page 37

Editorial

There’s a lot of sharing in this hobby

You’re all a bunch of amateurs (French for “lovers of”), although I must admit I’ve never met as professional a bunch as you. This notion of professionalism – doing business ethically, morally and courteously – is widespread in numismatics. And while some hobbyists might eventually become true “professionals” in every sense of the word, all true hobbyists live out their existence as amateurs regardless of the amount of money being earned. When you love the science of numismatics and begin taking this hobby seriously – as most of you certainly do – you inevitably become better at what you’re doing and begin specializing, and even commercializing, your activities. Suddenly, by acquiring and selling material, attending shows and joining associations, you’ve become more of a professional than a hobbyist, although the passionate amateur remains, steadfast as ever. Only when you’re an “amateur” can you truly become pro.

Continue reading →