Lower Canada tokens were used as currency for a relatively short time, less than 10 years altogether. Nevertheless, they had a significant role to play in Canadian history. The Bouquet Sou was a denomination of tokens that was worth approximately a half-cent. Its design went through several alterations in response to changes in politics and society. Bouquet Sous are readily available today, yet can be worth a lot more than they were in the 1830s when they were in circulation. History of the Bouquet Sou Commerce in 19th-century Lower Canada was difficult to carry out because of a lack of…
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Vincent Price once said, “it’s as much fun to scare as to be scared.” Almost everyone loves October. The weather is pleasant, not too hot nor too cold. Pumpkin spices, cinnamon, nutmeg and cloves, linger in the air. Football season keeps us busy. And the end of the month culminates in a huge celebration with lots of candy and costumes. Halloween has to be one of the most anticipated holidays of the year. Combine your love of Halloween and coins with these collector’s items from the Royal Canadian Mint and Monarch Precious Metals. 2019 Beaver Bullion Jack O’ Lantern This…
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Coin Collecting: Resources that Aid in Numismatic Research Coin collecting often starts out informally. Maybe you get a set of coins for your 10th birthday, which leads you to collect coins from each year afterward. You inherit a collection from grandpa and suddenly get interested in understanding the history of the coins. A good coin collection includes other resources that provide contextual information for the coins. Scott Douglas is a prime example of a collector who didn’t stop with coins. He started collecting coins as a young person. Today, his library related to coins is almost unparalleled – three home…
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Canadian Coins Featuring the Iconic Oscar Peterson Duke Ellington called him the “Maharaja of the Keyboard.” He won seven Grammys and a lifetime achievement award from the organization. It would take another page or two to list his other awards, which include a UNESCO Music Prize, honorary degrees from more than 10 universities and multiple awards for pianist of the year, and others. Who is this paragon of the piano? It’s Oscar Peterson, noted jazz pianist and composer. Louis Armstrong called Peterson “the man with four hands,” for his style, speed and dexterity when playing piano. Peterson is considered a…
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The Chinese Zodiac is a 12-year astrological cycle, with each year represented by a different animal. The Royal Canadian Mint started a series of commemorative coins celebrating the Chinese Zodiac starting in 2022, the Year of the Tiger. The series continues with a 2023 coin for the Year of the Rabbit. What Is the Significance of the Rabbit in the Chinese Zodiac? According to the story, the Jade Emperor invited the animals to his palace for a party. He told them that the order in which they arrived would determine their position in the Chinese Zodiac. The Rabbit knew that…
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