Prior to Confederation in 1867, each Canadian province formed a separate British colony which meant that each one had its own unique cultural identity and even their very own coins. This is a fact that adds an interesting note of diversity to coins of Canada and the country’s coin history in general. The Royal Canadian Mint celebrates this time with a Pure Silver 4-Coin Set – Before Confederation: Colonial Currency of the Atlantic Provinces. The set re-visits the 19th-century reverse designs – the work of L.C. Wyon – whose engraved artwork was featured on numerous coins, including those of Prince…
Canadian Coins
1936 “Dot Cent” Penny – Canada’s Rarest Coin?
When it comes to rare Canadian coins, there are, ironically, many of them in existence today. Some are rare because they only exist in very small numbers, while other ones were minted specifically for that purpose. Certainly, one of the rarest examples currently in circulation is the “Dot Cent” penny produced in 1936. With just three of these rare coins produced, enthusiasts view them as some of the most highly sought after coins. During King George V’s last year of sovereignty, the Royal Canadian Mint produced millions of pennies, but these special three stand apart from their commonplace cousins, bearing…
A Look Into The First Gold Coins Minted In 1912
In 1853, Canada decided to implement the gold standard. This allowed trade to be straightforward, but it also meant that appropriate amounts of gold needed to be kept in reserve to support the country’s currency. One of the benefits of this decision was that it fueled interest in the Canadian mint and particularly in the production and design of gold coins. When local miners found gold in the Klondike area of Yukon, thousands of Canadians got caught up in the gold rush. The Dominion Government soon caught on and, in 1912, ordered the production of 8,000 gold coins, each worth…
150th Anniversary Of TransAtlantic Cable Silver Dollar Coin
In recognition of the 150th anniversary of the Transatlantic cable, the Royal Canadian Mint took the opportunity to issue a special-edition silver dollar. This Canadian silver dollar celebrates a feat of engineering that is remembered today as a monument to perseverance. The cable provided vital communication between the continents of North America, Europe and the world over. Its eventual implementation managed to connect both sides of the Atlantic Ocean via telegraph just before the invention of the telephone and was an ingenious idea that was way ahead of its time. The Coin Designed by the famous marine artist from Canada,…
4 Simple Steps To Start Your Own Coin Collection
Whether you’ve made the decision to start a coin collection on a personal level or you believe that it can be a lucrative activity, one thing is certain – it is guaranteed to be fulfilling. There is so much history and beauty to be found behind every single coin series. It doesn’t matter where you start – trying to discern the legendary Canadian 50 cent coin value or taking up an interest in an old coin that’s been in your family for generations – there are easy steps you can take to start off on the right foot. These include:…
Legacy Of The Canadian Nickel: 1 oz. Fine Silver Coin
The Canadian 5 Cent coin has had a number of iterations throughout its history. It is widely regarded as one of the most popular and longest-standing circulated coins in Canada. That fact alone makes it completely understandable why an institution as legendary as the Royal Canadian Mint would come up with the idea to issue a special recreation of Canada’s 5-cents coin originally designed by artist William James Henry Blakemore in 1922. Here’s everything you need to know about this coin. What Does the Nickel Represent for Canada? Each iteration of the nickel that has taken place throughout the history…
The Mint’s Call Of The Wild Gold Coin Series
The Royal Canadian Mint has produced many coins of Canada to date that commemorate important historical milestones and celebrate countless Canadian symbols. The “Call of the Wild” series is one such series of gold coins launched in 2014 that features designs dedicated to the expansive and untamed wilderness of Canada. With one coin launched annually, each one is composed of .99999 fine gold, making them the purest gold bullion available in the world. 2018 will see the release of the Golden Eagle Gold Coin, but let’s take a closer look at the previous specimens in the series: The Howling Wolf…
Celebrating Canada’s Aviation History With Special $20 Silver Coin
The Canadian Silver Dollar is a piece of coin history that has earned iconic status in Canada. Having featured a number of historically and otherwise important milestones, commemorations, and celebrations, it is important to mention the 1996 Canada $20 Aviation – Avro Arrow CF-105 Sterling Silver Coin. The coin is yet another example of the importance the Royal Canadian Mint places on the national pride of Canadians, as well as how much it values every single one of the nation’s achievements regardless of the field or industry. Here’s everything you need to know about this coin. Why is the Avro…
Understanding Gold Prices – How Colonial Can Help
The price of gold is something that varies in incredible intervals and it is often difficult to predict what the future holds for investors. If you’re a coin collector and are particularly fond of silver and gold Canadian coin currency, this is an issue that concerns you. It can be a difficult task to invest in gold or silver, especially if you have no experience. Here are some factors known to influence gold and silver prices: Uncertainty This is a pretty broad factor that typically includes political instability and/or uncertainty. The stock market is simply yearning for certainty and the…
Ancient Coin Collecting For Beginners
Be it coins of Canada or ancient coins, coin collecting is a fun and potentially lucrative hobby or profession. But, while Canadian coins are plentiful and the most gorgeous to look at or own, that is often not the case with ancient coins. Ancient coins are often mistaken for being too difficult to understand, too expensive to collect and too rare. While that is true in some cases, the majority of pieces are actually quite common. Many are also less expensive than collectible modern coins. Learning the basics can be done easily, so keep reading. Coinage History While precious metals…
