Coin Collection Strategies Part 2

Another alternative to building a complete date set of a particular denomination is to form a type set. A type set can be defined in a number of ways.

A minimal Canadian type set would consist of one coin of each denomination

from each monarch. This is one way for you to meet your collecting goals without exceeding your budget by acquiring coins of common date in top condition. A type set of Canadian one-cent coins, for example, would include one coin from each of the five monarchs since Confederation.

 

In addition to regular paper money, there is also "scrip," or private paper issues. "Scrip" is similar to a "token" which is described later in this chapter. The most famous modern issuer of scrip in Canada is a chain of stores called the Canadian Tire Corporation. It specializes in automotive supplies, sporting goods and hardware.

As an inducement for their customers to return for future purchases, each customer who pays in cash receives bonus coupons equal to 5% of his or her purchase. These coupons can be used as cash against the customer's next purchase. The first Gas Bar coupons were introduced to the public in 1958.

In recent years, there has been great interest in collecting Canadian Tire coupons because they are made with the same care as Canada's banknotes, and because they have serial numbers and various signature combinations. The photo below is an example of a Canadian Tire coupon.

 

An animal lover would have a marvelous time collecting world coins and banknotes depicting animals, birds and fish, and even insects. Let's begin with the coins of Canada. Take a look at the change in your pocket or purse. The easiest ones to find would be the 25-cent coin showing a majestic caribou and the five-cent coin depicting a beaver. The 1967 centennial coins showed a hare, a mackerel, and a wolf. For bird lovers, the Canadian centennial coins showed a dove on the one cent coin and a Canada goose on the dollar. But you don't have to restrict yourself to Canadian coins. Some of the other possibilities include the following:

Mammals...

anteater - Australia, 5 cents, 1966;

as elephant - Malawi, 1 florin, 1964;

squirrel - Norway, 1 ore, 1958;

tiger - India, 1/4 rupee, 1946.

Birds...

flamingo - Bahamas, 2 dollars, 1966;

ostrich - Tanzania, 20 senti, 1966;

quetzal - Guatemala, 50 centavos, 1962;

titmouse - Norway, 25 ore, 1958.

Insects...

bees - Norway, 10 ore, 1958.

Sea Creatures...

angelfish - Bermuda, 5 cents, 1970;

dolphin - Greece, 20 drachmai, 1960;

seahorse - Singapore, 10 cents, 1967;

turtle - Fiji Islands, 6 pence, 1934.

 

What is so special about the year 1933? That's the year in which I was born. I

have slowly amassed a collection of coins from all around the world bearing the date, 1933. You could also collect coins of your birth year, or the year of some other important event.