Pope John Paul Commemorative Coin

Pope Coin in Box shape

              We wish to thank Judy Blackman, the author of this article, and Keith Day-Thorburn, editor of the Royal Canadian Numismatic Society’s NumisNotes for their permission to reproduce this article in its entirety. A Different Look For PJP By Judy Blackman Those who viewed my 5-case Papal (God’s Spirit) exhibit at the 2009 ONA Convention, know I have a vast collection, and the judges kindly awarded me a 1st Place ribbon for the Non-Canadian Coins and Tokens. Although I’ve sold off some parts of this collection since then, it remains large. Despite this, I…

Continue reading

Founding of the Republic of China

60th Anniversary. Medal

              This article is credited to Michael Wilson of the North Shore Numismatic Society. This silver medal was struck by Taiwan on National Day, October 10, 1971, to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the founding of the Republic of China. It features a portrait of, then president Chiang Kai-shek on the obverse, along with the inscription “The 60th Anniversary of the Founding of the Republic of China” The reverse features two joined Chinese characters for the number “10”  (++) symbolizing the tenth day of the tenth month of 1911, the day of the Wuchang…

Continue reading

Welcome Columbia Notes!

,

hello and a very happy Labour Day! We’re looking forward to our Coin, Stamps & Collectables show on Saturday 17th and Sunday 18th September. It’s at the Nikkei Centre in Burnaby – do come along. We’re delighted to welcome Ron Richardson and his wife, Doris, and Columbia Notes – specializing in the paper money of Latin America, the Caribbean and Asia, as well as world polymer issues. See their website here www.columbia-notes.com This 10,000 pesos note from Colombia was issued in 1992 to commemorate the 500th anniversary of the landing in the New World by Christopher Columbus. The front depicts a woman from the Embera…

Continue reading

Bluenose

Bluenose stamp

Bluenose was a celebrated fishing and racing schooner built in 1921 in Nova Scotia, Canada. it features on the 1929 50c which many consider to be the most beautiful stamp in the world. Bluenose is Canada #158 VFNH 1929 50c Thank you All Nations Stamp and Coin for image This stamp is in the Noon Saturday auction on 6th August 2016

Continue reading

Happy British Columbia Day!

In the late 1850s, gold was discovered in the Fraser River and Cariboo districts of British Columbia. The gold rush that followed brought a large influx of new inhabitants, changing the colony virtually overnight from a small settlement based on trading to a rapidly expanding one. The almost complete lack of a circulating medium occasioned great inconvenience. In 1859, Governor James Douglas requested Her Majesty’s government to ship out a specified quantity of gold, silver and copper coins. Silver and copper coins amounting to little more than half the value requested were shipped, but no gold coins. The governor, well…

Continue reading

The Shortage of Coins in New France

,
1670 15 Sols Louis XIV reverse

The Shortage of Coins The colonists living in New France from the mid-1660s on used barter to exchange goods but also used metal coins, such as this 15-sol French coin dated 1670. However, there was never enough hard currency to go around. Silver coins that were sent from France were quickly taken from circulation by local merchants, who immediately returned them to France to pay their taxes and to buy European-made commodities.   New France, Louis XIV, 15 sols, 1670 Thank you Bank of Canada Museum for these images. The shortage of coins persisted throughout the history of New France.…

Continue reading

Tetradrachm of Probus

Probus Tetradrachm - Obverse

    This is a tetradrachm from Alexandria in Egypt.  It depicts Emperor Marcus Aurelius Probus on the obverse and an Eagle on the reverse. Probus was born in AD 232 in Sirmium (modern day Sremska Mitrovica in Serbia) and became emperor in AD 276.  In AD 278, he successfully campaigned against Gallic tribes that pushed into Roman territory, and in AD 279 – 280, his generals defeated Vandals in the Roman provinces of Raetia, Illyricum, and Lycia.  In the same years, Probus’ generals defeated the Blemmyes in Egypt. In AD 280–281, Probus put down three usurpers, Julius Saturninus, Proculus and Bonosus. …

Continue reading

Pacific National Exhibition, Vancouver – 1964 token

PNE Vancouver - Token

I rather believe that the purpose of this PNE token, which was issued for the 1964 fair (in Vancouver B.C.), was to let exhibitors and club display members in, so that they did not have to pay admission. When the coin clubs had displays at the PNE in the clubs section of the fair (in the BC Pavilion) we were given admission tickets so that club members could get in. These we used. They bore printing indicating the nature of their use. As for free passes, well it used to be (and may still well be) that every elementary school…

Continue reading

Date for Diary: Vancouver Coin, Stamp and Collectable Show 17th – 18th September

1958 British Columbia dollar

We’re looking forward to the Coin, Stamp & Collectable Show. It’s 2 days this year – Saturday 17th and Sunday 18th September 2016.  At the Nikkei Museum & Cultural Centre in Burnaby.   There’ll be a lot of material on display both new and old (and even ancient!) We hope to see you! More information and a map here. You can also sign-up   for email  Show reminders and features:  http://northshorenumismaticsociety.org/vancouver-coin-show/ People come to our show from all over Vancouver, the North Shore, Burnaby, Richmond, Surrey and the whole Lower Mainland, They come from the interior and Sunshine Coast and Vancouver Island.  We’re happy…

Continue reading

Happy Victoria Day!

Queen Victoria - Gothic Crown

Victoria Day (in French: Fête de la Reine) is a federal Canadian public holiday celebrated on the last Monday preceding May 25, in honour of Queen Victoria’s birthday. The Gothic Crown is considered by many to be the finest Victorian silver coin. Victoria Gothic Crown, mdcccxlvii = 1847, edge inscribed Undecimo, Spink 3883. Beautifully toned, EF with some minor marks to the bust and in the fields. Sold Victoria Gothic Crown £1,150.00 Thank you Leodis Hammered Coins for text and image.  

Continue reading

Star Trek: To Boldy Go

Starship Enterpirse

The Royal Canadian Mint have joined the Star Trek 50 year celebration. “Since its television debut, Star Trek‘s imaginative storylines have brought fans on an incredible journey through time and space. Kirk, Scotty, Uhura, and Spock—they served as our fictional trailblazers in an exciting new frontier that seemed as boundless as our imaginations. Guided by the Prime Directive and a spirit of discovery, the adventures of the U.S.S. Enterprise and her crew introduced viewers to more than 70 different new worlds while encountering nearly as many alien species. Celebrate the 50th anniversary of Star Trek—a television series that is beloved…

Continue reading

3D Egg Shaped Coin

3D Egg Shaped - front

The Mint of Poland has created an innovative coin in the shape of a 3D Egg.  The 2016 coin known as the “Trans Siberian Railway Egg” garnered a lot of attention at the World Money Fair 2016. Creation of such an innovative product was a big challenge, even for the exquisite craftsmen at the Mint of Poland. The task was demanding not only due to unusual shape of the coin, but also – due to its additional surface that was to be covered with artistic relief images. It was created to commemorate the 100th anniversary of building the longest railroad…

Continue reading

The Commonwealth of England, 1653

In 1649 Pierre Blondeau, a master engineer at the Paris mint, came to the Tower Mint in London. He was invited by a mint beset by forgers and clippers of its hammered coins and willing to look at milled coinage afresh (Milling had been tried a 100 years before under Elizabeth I). Despite the invitation and his capable machinery Blondeau had a fierce struggle against the MInt and its supporters who, frightened by technology, attacked the innovative Blondeau in pamphlets and accusations of high treason. But he succeeded, in the end, as luck and the Lord Protector favoured him. Blondeau…

Continue reading

Our Coins, Stamps & Collectibles Show is this Saturday, April 2nd

Hi Everyone, This a a reminder that the next Coins, Stamps & Collectibles Show is this Saturday, April 2nd. The show is held at the Nikkei National Museum & Cultural Centre located at 6688 Southoaks Crescent at the intersection of Kingsway and Sperling (Sperling becomes Southoaks south of Kingsway). The show runs from 9 am to 3 pm.  Admission is $2, and free for those age 16 and under.  There is  free underground parking at the location, and there is also parking along Beresford Avenue behind the Centre.  We have three new dealers at this show. More information can be…

Continue reading

King Philip II of Macedon

,
Kingdom of Macedon, Philip II AR Tetradrachm

Philip II of Macedon is the powerful war-king who has taken Macedonia from barbarian obscurity to being the ascendant power in all of the lands from Thrace to the League of Corinth. Here he  is shown addressing the Army assembly at Pella. Zeus backs him.  The silver is good.  Who can withstand ? Thank you Paul Anderson at Praefectus Coins for our featured coin and attribution text. Praefectus coins will be at our Coins, Stamps & Collectables show on April 2nd at Nikkei centre in Burnaby     is        

Continue reading

Royal Maundy Thursday Coinage

Maundy Coins - Mary Gillick effigy

The word ‘maundy’ derives from the latin ‘mandatum’ which was applied to Christ’s washing of his disciples feet on the day before Good Friday; ‘that ye love one another’ (John XIII 34) British Royalty have taken part in the Maundy ceremony since the 13th century; distributing money, gifts and washing the feet of the poor It was King John who started the Royal Maundy tradition in 1210 when he donated garments, forks, food, and other gifts to the poor of Knaresborough, Yorkshire. Henry IV, around 1400, related the number of Maundy recipients to the age of the Sovereign. And it…

Continue reading

Innovative New Stamp

Leather Stamp

In 2015, Austria issued the first postage stamp made of leather. It is in the shape of a pair of lederhosen and has 6 Swarovski crystals embedded in it. The combination of Swarovski crystals and a pair of lederhosen is actually obvious. Both are a kind of symbol of the Alpine world and are often associated with Austria. For instance, lederhosen are part of the basic wardrobe for many a Tyrolean. They are usually made out of deerskin, sewn by hand and short for daily wear or in the form of knickerbockers for special occasions. Braces serve to ensure that…

Continue reading

Token Talk: Royal Canadian Legion medallion

,
Royal Canadian Legion

Token Talk with Duff Malkin The weekend of the 23rd and 24th April was a weekend of the Kerrisdale Days.  When I arrived I saw several booths outside of some of the banks and stores. Always looking for things numismatic, and even bank coupons will do, but not expecting anything, for Kerrisdale is not a great place to pick up tokens, I nevertheless looked for things and came across the Royal Canadian Legion booth. One also always looks at anything RCL because there are a few people interested in the military aspect of things. Thereon was a small plastic bag with what appeared…

Continue reading

Reminder – our next Coins, Stamps, and Collectibles Show is on April 2nd, 2016

Hi everyone, This is a reminder that our next Coins, Stamps, and Collectibles Show is on April 2nd, 2016.   The show is held at the Nikkei National Museum & Cultural Centre located at 6688 Southoaks Crescent at the intersection of Kingsway and Sperling (Sperling becomes Southoaks south of Kingsway).   The show runs from 9 am to 3 pm.  Admission is $2, and free for those age 16 and under.  There is limited free underground parking at the location, and there is also parking along Beresford Avenue behind the Centre. More information can be obtained from our website: http://northshorenumismaticsociety.org/

Continue reading