Author Archives: Kevin

Fancy Serial Numbers

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Are you one of those people who checks the paper money in your wallet for special serial numbers?  Does someone close to you make fun of you for glancing at each bill after you get it?  I’m one of those people.

I don’t really consider myself a paper money collector – or rag picker, as they were once referred to (can you call them that with the plastic money we have now?) – but I appreciate these pieces of higher denomination currency and love numbers, so I do try to check the numbers on those bill when I have a chance.

Recently, after being handed some US currency, I came across the twenty below.  Can you tell what is special about the number?

Scrambled Ladder

Almost immediately I noticed that it contained every number from 1 to 8, but all mixed up.  I didn’t have a clue at the time, but this is apparently called a scrambled ladder note type of fancy serial number.

“Cool,” I thought and put it on eBay where it sold for $30 USD – as I mentioned, I don’t collect them, but appreciate finding them for others.

Watch your money!

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.

PEI Holey Dollar at Auction

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I was pleased to catch Geoff Bell on CBC Radio’s Maritime Noon today (October 3rd, 2013) talking about the PEI Holey Dollar that will be in the Fall 2013 Toronto Coin Expo Auction.

Geoff spoke about the history of the dollar and its rarity, making it a much sought after and valuable addition to a collection.

PEI Holey Dollar

You can catch Geoff after the 39 minute mark on the CBC Radio website and can see the actual auction, which goes live October 4th, 2013 at 6pm, on the auction website.

Jim Charlton Dead at 102

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According to a post on Canadian Coin News’ Facebook page, legendary Canadian numismatist James E. Charlton passed away Friday September 20th, 2013 at the age of 102.

Jim Charlton Dead at 102

Jim Charlton Dead at 102

Charlton’s name will forever be  synonymous with Canadian numismatics for his work as a coin dealer and numismatic publisher.  His presence alone at coin shows and conventions made such events memorable.  The funeral is to take place Saturday September 28th, 2013 and Canadian Coin News promises to post more information as it becomes available.

Coinman to Canadians

Got this at the 2001 RCNA convention in Quebec City

Got this at the 2001 RCNA convention in Quebec City

2000 Canada 5 Cent Error

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Recently a 2000 Proof Like 5 cent error was put on eBay with a price tag of $20,000.  The coin was minted with two reverse dies, as indicated on the PCGS slab.  Since, to the best of my knowledge, there is no way for such an error to occur without a little help from some mint employees, it would seem this would fall under the category of a “back door job,” or something contrived by someone inside the mint’s facility – in this case, Ottawa, since it was a proof like coin – and smuggled out.

PCGS 2000 Canada 5 Cent Error

Would you be willing to purchase such an error?  Should such coins be allowed to exist or should they be deemed illegal and confiscated?  Let us know your thoughts in the comment section below.

COIN COIN Designs & Co.

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Personally, I’m guilty of this: I take my hobby and when gift giving times come around, I try to incorporate said hobby into the gift I’m giving someone – someone likely with no interest in my hobby.  Yes, I’ve given a loved one a coin dated the year they were born, thinking it was extremely thoughtful on my part, but I now realize that it wasn’t as considerate as I had imagined.

That being said, I would consider giving the gift of a coin in the form of jewellery and the fact that the theme, denomination or year can be used to add an element of personalization is icing on the proverbial cake.  Of course, this piece of jewellery would have to look good!

Coin Coin Ring

That’s where COIN COIN Designs & Co. comes in.  A coin can be  re-purposed  into a ring, earrings or pendant made of sterling silver.  It is possible to ask for a coin of a certain year or you have the option of sending them your own coin to be used.  They even have a selection of “lucky” coins as available choices.

Coin Coin Earrings

The owner, Renée Gruszecki, uses her background as a trained archivist and Masters graduate in design and material culture along with an appreciation for the art of the coin to create a work of jewellery that melds history with today’s fashion.  COIN COIN Design & Co. is based in Halifax, NS and information can be found on their website.

The name of the company comes from the French translation of “quack quack,” hence their mascot and logo – a lucky duck.  With that sort of symbolism combined with the use of the powers of a found penny, it’s not inconceivable that the wearer may find themselves in possession of measurable quantities of luck.

COIN COIN Design & Co. can also be found on Facebook,as can the Saint John Coin Club!

Coin Coin Pendant

Laura Secord 25 Cent Circulation Pack

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You can order up to two packs per household of the Laura Secord 25 cent circulation coin from the Royal Canadian Mint.  That’s face value, tax free and free shipping too.  Don’t expect perfect coins, but they are nice to obtain, even if you just spend them anyway!

laurasecord

This is very fitting for us (my wife and I), since we have been serving Laura Secord chocolates at our Date  to Paint events at The New Artisan Studio.  Yum!