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COLUMNS |
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Ancient Money
Grain had prominent role in
Roman culture, and on coins (Page 8)
Colonial Tokens
Blacksmith tokens offer
interesting die combinations (Page 10)
Collecting 101
Avoid cleaning - and cleaned
- coins (Page 14)
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Numismatic Collateral
Lower Canada halfpenny turns up
in strange places (Page 20)
New Issues
Hungary coinage gets
name change (Page 28)
Errors & Varieties
Mysterious errors,
through thick and thin (Page 32)
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FEATURES |
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Loonie flying high after 25 years (Page 15)
Brasher doubloon sells for $7.4 million (Page 16)
Columnist offers Errors & Varieties 101 in Toronto (Page 27)
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REGULARS |
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Trends
Focus on Special Commemorative
Mint Issues (Page 22)
Show and Bourse
Check out the shows
in your area (Page 27)
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CCN Marketplace
Are you buying
or selling? (Page 30)
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EDITORIAL |
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We shall continue to embrace change, and banknotes
By Bret Evans
I try not to get too nostalgic, since looking back and glamourizing the past really doesn't accomplish much, but I do think interesting anniversaries are worth noting.
When I first came to Canadian Coin News, anniversaries were marked in weeks for months, eventually in years. Now they are marked in decades.
So, for me it is good news that the humble loonie is turning 25 this year. Good news because it actually takes me back to my days before CCN. When the coin came out, I was living in Edmonton and I remember a friend of mine being really excited and rushing off to the bank to make sure he got one of them. Being a bit of a cynic by nature, I was less enthusiastic, but it wasn't long before the coins were in daily use.
I also remember the incredible opposition many people had for the coin. Part of the appeal of the nickname was that it rhymed with the last name of then prime minister Brian Mulroney. He wasn't very popular back then and many of the coin's opponents seemed to act as if he had personally forced the coin upon them.
I also remember people asking for four 25-cent pieces in change, instead of a loon, because the loon weighed too much and was too bulky. I haven't always been good at spatial relationships, but I am pretty sure that the four coins were bulkier than a single dollar, and probably also clocked in a bit heavier. However, the opposition was never based on more than resistance to change, so it never seemed worth the debate to me.
Another anniversary, which I mentioned in a previous issue, is the euro, which turned 10 at the start of 2012.
This one is a bit more embarrassing to me, because I remember being somewhat pessimistic about the ability of the euro to survive that continent's divisive politics. I always thought that getting France and Germany to agree on anything for more than a few weeks was darn near impossible. I also wondered why the strong economies of Europe, such as Germany, would want to harness themselves to weaker economies such as Greece.
Somehow, despite my doubts, the euro seems to be working well.
It did take some compromise, and a few changes to the original rules, but so far, after 10 years Europe's greatest money experiment of all time seems to be a success.
Even so, I still think the Brits were smart to keep their own money.
At the same time, I have seen the new $100 in circulation, and while my friend Judy Blackman has reported encountering a few machines that were unable to scan the notes, and a few out-of-date counterfeit detectors, it seems to be another success.
I even made a point of getting one for my grocery shopping and the clerk didn't bat an eye. She did tell me that the notes smelled a bit like maple syrup if you scratched the maple leaf. I have heard this a few times, but to tell you the truth I couldn't smell a darn thing.
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Hamilton auction features 1758 Bill of Exchange (Continued) |
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By Bret Evans
It is identified as the 36th bill issued that year in a marginal notation.
The year of issue coincides with the British attack on New France and capture of the fortress of Louisbourg. In 1759, Quebec was captured by Gen. James Wolfe. It was years and several treaties later before outstanding bills of exchange were honoured and various debts were settled by the British and French governments.
The note is estimated at $10,000.
The sale also has a modest selection of Canadian banknotes.
Among the interesting items is an 1870 Dominion of Canada $1, Toronto large date, graded BCS Fine-12 with tears and some soiling. Even in that condition, it is expected to draw $1,400.
Another unusual item is a notice glued to card stock, dated Nov. 20, 1837, shortly after the rebellion of that year.
The notice, placed by the directors and cashier of Montreal's People's Bank, denies that the bank furnished funds "with which to purchase arms to be used for the subversion of the Constitution of this Province." It also promised to resume specie payments as soon as the other banks in Quebec do the same.
It is estimated at $1,500.
While the sale has a typical selection of world and Canadian coins, and some tokens, the historical and commemorative medals section is extensive.
There is a medal issued by Quebec lieutenant governor Alph P. Pelletier (1908-1911) included in a lot with an academic medal, estimated at $140.
A medal issued by former governor general Michaelle Jean for marksmanship is estimated at $100.
The run of medals continues through exhibitions, fairs, carnivals, scholastic achievements, associations and societies and more.
A selection of 12 medals from the CNA and ONA, along with several others from 1967, is estimated at $100.
A lot of 72 personalized medals issued by former Canadian Coin News columnist Jerry Remick, making up 29 types and four different medals, is estimated at $120.
Among the world medals is a German red porcelain medal, dated May 10, 1949 and issued to commemorate the victories of the campaign against Britain in Holland and Belgium. It is estimated at $150.
A number of medals up for grabs in the auction are related to Queen Victoria. Included is an official Royal Mint issue for her coronation, estimated at $200; a medal marking her marriage of Prince Albert, estimated at $300; and a Golden Jubilee medal of 1887, estimated at $120.
The sale also includes a militaria section.
That part of the sale opens with a spectacular selection of orders and decorations.
Included is the breast star for a Knight Commander of the Order of the Bath, military division, estimated at $1,200.
There is also a Knight Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order, estimated at $2,500.
The sale moves on through campaign medals, including a North West Canada Medal 1885, issued to Pte. R.H. Tyler, 10th Royal Grenadiers, with a Saskatchewan clasp, estimated at $900.
There is also a medal group for Lt.-Col, A.P. Strange, who served in the First World War as a sergeant and was head of the Corps of Military Staff Clerks in the Second World War.
An 11-medal group contained in the sale was issued to Flight Lieut. Erwin E. Osler of the RCAF, including a Distinguished Flying Cross and Distinguished Flying Medal. It is estimated at $6,500.
The sale will be held at the Sheraton Hamilton Hotel, 116 King St. W., in conjunction with the Canadian Association of Numismatic Dealers' show and sale.
The numismatic sale will take place Jan. 27 and 28; the militaria sale on Jan. 28 and 29.
For more information, visit jhoare@jeffreyhoare.on.ca.
January 31, 2012 to February 13, 2012 issue of Canadian Coin News
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