By Jesse Robitaille
The 62nd annual convention of the Royal Canadian Numismatic Association (RCNA) has some big things planned for tomorrow’s festivities, and it’s all free of charge.
The bourse floor and exhibit display, located in the Commonwealth Ballroom of the Westin Nova Scotian Hotel, are open to the public at 10 a.m.
And until the bourse closes at 5:30 p.m., the Royal Canadian Mint will be running a coin exchange at its booth, where attendees are invited to trade their spare 25-cent coins for the recently launched 25-cent commemorative circulation coin celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Canadian flag, which entered circulation on June 9. Out of a total of mintage of 12.5 million coins, 6.25 million will be coloured and an equal number will be non-coloured.
“We’ll exchange singles,” said Alex Reeves, Mint spokesperson. “No packs, though we will have collector cards.”
What’s more, Nova Scotia artist Bonnie Ross, who designed the new circulation coin, will be on hand to meet and greet with the public from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m.
“The Mint is delighted to join in the celebration of the national flag’s 50th anniversary by issuing a commemorative 25-cent circulation coin, which will reach Canadians living in every province and territory,” said Sandra Hanington, Mint president and CEO, at the coin’s unveiling last month. “The 50th birthday of our red and white maple leaf flag, which has blossomed into a universal symbol of Canadian pride, is a great theme for a new circulation coin and an important step in the countdown towards the 150th anniversary of Confederation in 2017.”
COIN KIDS
Lisa McPherson, Coin Kids events chair, said the junior auction will be both fun and educational.
For those young numismatists, the Coin Kids table also opens at 10 a.m. and runs until 1:30 p.m. The Coin Kids junior auction – opened to any and all young collectors, whose parents or guardians are encouraged to attend as observers only – begins at 2 p.m. and runs until 4 p.m. in the hotel’s Lunenburg Room.
“It’ll be a great auction and a whole lot of fun for the kids,” said Lisa McPherson, Coin Kids events chair. “They’ll each be given some play money and be able to bid on whatever they want.”
MEETINGS
At 10:30 a.m. until noon, the RCNA is holding its annual general meeting, which all RCNA members are encouraged to attend. Shortly after, at 12:15 p.m., is the RCNA awards presentation. Both are being held in the hotel’s Lunenburg Room.
Over in the Maritime Room, at 1 p.m. until 3 p.m., the Canadian Association of Token Collectors is holding a meeting, which everyone is invited to attend. At 3 p.m. until 5:30 p.m., the Canadian Tire Coupon Collectors Club takes over for its meeting. Again, everyone is invited.
Lastly, in the Seaport Room from 3 p.m. until 5:30 p.m., the Canadian Centennial Collectors Club is holding a meeting, which everyone is welcome to attend.