Each year since 2014, the Royal Canadian Numismatic Association (RCNA) has submitted uncirculated half-dollars for certification as souvenirs for its annual convention.
Certified by Professional Coin Grading Service (PCGS), a U.S.-based third-party grader, the 50-cent coins are held in genuine PCGS slabs complete with a label reading “PCGS Sample” plus “RCNA” and the convention host city below.
Despite the cancellation of this year’s RCNA Convention in Halifax, PCGS committed to providing the association with “a quantity” of slabbed 50-cent coins, according to RCNA Executive Secretary Paul Johnson.
“We expected that the coins would be available for sale in August. However, a recent communication with PCGS has told us that these coins are not yet available,” Johnson said in an email statement to CCN on Sept. 9.
With PCGS “backed up on a number of projects,” the coins “will not be ready until further notice,” he added.
“Hopefully this delay will be no more than four weeks but that isn’t guaranteed at this time.”
Once PCGS completes the order, RCNA officials will post an online order form at rcna.ca.
Each of the 50-cent coins will cost $15 (plus $5 for shipping).