Coins of Canada

Janet Arnett is the former campus manager of adult education at Ontario’s Georgian College. She is the author of Antiques and Collectibles: Starting Small, The Grange at Knock, and 673 Ways to Save Money.

This classic reference for coin collectors includes impressive amounts
of detail on specific coins and how coins are graded. For the beginning
collector, the insights into the various grades of circulated and
uncirculated coins and toning is invaluable background.

The coins listed date back to the mid-1600s, although emphasis is on
those struck since the mid-1800s. As well as description and date,
there’s a note on quantity minted, any unique features, and value
according to grade.

The guide includes decimal coinage, collectors’ issues, Canadian
bullion issues, Ottawa mint gold sovereigns, pre-Confederation
provincial decimal coins, French coins used in Canada, French
playing-card money, pre-Confederation colonial issues (including those
from the Magdalen Islands), and various trade and advertising tokens. In
addition to these coins, the guide has a small section on Canadian paper
money (from 1867).

There’s a table on the bullion value of Canadian coins (worn coins
may be worth more as precious metal than as collectibles) and addresses
for numismatic organizations and publications. An essential reference
for every collector.