Monthly Archives: December 2013

A Cent with Issues

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I visited Fundy Coins and Collectables on Saturday to pick up an auction item that had been waiting there for quite some time and had fun chatting with Steve and Jim.  While there, thumbing through one of the counter bins and intently listening to one of Jim’s stories, this little cent caught my eye.

1930 USA Cent

The words “metal flaw” were inked on the 2×2.  Upon closer inspection, after getting the 1930 USA Lincoln wheat cent home, I could see quite a nice lamination error in addition to an improper alloy mixture, which gives the copper coin and wood grain appearance.  Some collectors seem to be drawn to such coins and they are often referred to as “woodies.”

 

100th Anniversary of the First Canadian Arctic Expedition – 25-cent 12-pack (2013)

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For face value and free shipping the newest commemorative 25 cent coins are available from the Royal Canadian Mint.  You get 12 coins in total for three dollars and there’s a limit of two packages per household.

arctic

The coins’ reverses were designed by Bonnie Ross (Arctic Expedition) and Tim Pitsiulak (Whales).  There’s already rumblings of some varieties amongst these designs too.

At face value, you can’t go wrong, but these do sell out quickly!

Halifax Explosion Medal

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Friday past marked the 96th anniversary of the Halifax Explosion, which was a huge historical event for Nova Scotia’s capital, but also for any nearby city able to lend a hand.

The explosion, the result of a harbour collision between the French cargo ship, SS Mont-Blanc, loaded with explosives and the Norwegian SS Imo, took place December 6th, 1917.  The end result was upwards of 2000 dead and 9000 injured in the blast that leveled much of the city.

In 1992, the city of Halifax issued a medal commemorating the 75th anniversary of the explosion and handed it out to survivors of the tragedy.  The estimated number struck is less than 100.  It is made of cast bronze plate and measures 32mm.1992 Halifax Explosion Medal

The structure in the first image is the memorial bell tower.