My Passion for Coin Collecting
One of the earliest memories I have, that began my collecting, is finding a very worn 1909 quarter. It piqued my interest as I was a child in the 1960’s, but the quarter itself was six years younger than my grandmother. That experience has led to a lifelong hobby of buying and selling anything that caught my attention. My area of expertise is coins and medals of the world. In my early twenties, my area of interest in collecting was expanded to include monies of countries of the British Empire. The phrase “the sun never sets on the British Empire” was first coined by Fray Francis de Ugalde. At one time, more than one quarter of the world’s population was living under the British flag.
Researching coins of the world helps to expand a person’s knowledge of geography and history, learning about far off places such as Sarawak (now part of Malaysia), British West Africa, Hong Kong, British Honduras (now Belize) and British Guiana (now Guyana). The island of St. Helena in the mid-Atlantic is of special interest to me as Napoleon Bonaparte was exiled there by the British, and eventually died there in 1821. St. Helena issued a token the year he died and issued no more until the 1970’s.
Later in my collecting journey, I obtained a large package of ancient Roman coins. I find these fascinating because the heads of the Roman Empire used these coins to spread propaganda throughout the Empire. Some portrayed battles and other events of historical significance. The coins were used across North Africa, through Egypt, the Holy Land, France, Spain, England, Italy, Greece and the Balkans. Also included in my collection are many WWI and WWII era coins. These are plentiful as during those years people tended to hoard coins.
Another local area of interest for numismatists (professionals who authenticate or grade coins) is the collecting of Saskatchewan tokens. In the early part of the 20th century, businesses across the prairies issued aluminum tokens that could be redeemed for goods and services featured in their stores. In the early part of the 20th century a founding member of the Regina Coin Club, Cec Tannihill, travelled the province collecting and cataloguing these tokens. He also recorded their rarity, which adds to a coin’s value.
As springtime approaches, the Regina Coin Club Annual Spring Show is set to run on the weekend of April 22-23rd at the Italian Club – 2148 Connaught St. (corner of Connaught St. and 13th Ave). The doors will open on Saturday from 10:00 am – 5:00 pm, and Sunday from 10:00 am – 3:00 pm. In attendance will be dealers from across Saskatchewan and Western Canada, and on display and for sale will be a large selection of coins, banknotes, stamps, medals, books and more. Daily admission is $5 for adults, $1 for 13 – 15-year-olds, and free admission for those 12 and under.
The Regina Coin Club has been operating since the early 1950s. Our monthly meeting programs include information and presentation about coins of interest. Each meeting program also includes an auction. More information about the Regina Coin Club can be found on their website.
-Jim Smalley is the Agriculture Reporter for CKRM Radio and the Past President of the Regina Coin Club
Additional information regarding the Regina Jail Coin (good for 1 pint of milk): Tokens were issued in 1921 for use by the personnel in purchasing milk from the Goal Dairy. Milk was delivered to the six cottages on the grounds by the inmates and they were responsible for collecting the tokens and returning the dairy. They could be bought at 30 for $1.00 in 1921 and in 1928 it was changed to 20 for $1.00. Their use was discontinued in 1950. Note: Goal was the previous spelling for Jail. Image and information courtesy Saskatoon Coin Club