In 1992, Canadian numismatics experienced a watershed moment as many of today’s top collectors were introduced to the hobby. That year, as the country came out of an economic recession, the Royal Canadian Mint issued its first 25-cent circulation coin program. It marked the country’s 125th anniversary, known as “Canada 125,” and it was the Mint’s first public design competition. At the time, building on the heels of third-party grading – then a relatively new concept (“Numismatics thrives thanks to grading, Internet,” CCN Vol. 59 #13) – the market for Canadian coins was booming like never before. “It really started to develop a high-end market, which drug along all parts of the market, and it was kind of a perfect storm,” said dealer Sandy Campbell, the owner of Proof Positive Coins in Baddeck, N.S., who has been in the numismatic business since the early 1970s. Continue reading →
The Canada 125 set (proof issues shown) features a Canada-themed $1 coin plus a dozen 25-cent coins. Photo by Canadian Coin & Currency.
