The keynote speaker for this year’s Ontario Numismatic Association’s convention banquet is James Charlton Jr., who will speak about his father and iconic Canadian numismatist James E. Charlton. “Jim Charlton probably did more to popularize the coin hobby than any other individual in the last 50 years,” Geoffrey Bell, who was RCNA president from 1983-85 and again from 2001-03, told CCN in 2013. “He was a man of integrity, honesty and always asked fair prices when dealing. He encouraged new ventures that I personally experienced when we opened our auction house. He was generous to a fault that mirrored his Salvation Army faith.” The elder Charlton began collecting coins at the age of 15, when his brother gave him an 1863 U.S. Indian Head cent. This numismatic interest stayed with him, and he eventually became a beloved dealer, auctioneer, author and publisher. A string of catalogues considered to be “the Bible” of Canadian numismatics continues to be published under his name; in fact, the 71st edition of the Charlton Standard Catalogue of Canadian Coins was released in July 2017. Charlton died in September 2013 at the age of 103. His son, James Jr., will be speaking about his father’s contributions to numismatics at the ONA’s banquet. Continue reading →
In 2011, James E. Charlton was given this replica silver dollar for his 100th birthday. It was signed on the reverse by all dealers at the 2011 RCNA Convention in Windsor, Ont. Charlton’s son will be the keynote speaker at the 2018 ONA Convention in April. (Photo by Mary-Anne Luzba)
