Volunteer or Else

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If I had any spare time would I volunteer? Well luckily I found this coin instead so I will not be answering that question.

This is actually the sixth time I found this particular Canadian dime and also the least shiny of all of them. When I first found one back in 2001 I was amazed with the quality. It has all the luster of a proof coin yet it was in circulation. Quickly I found a few more all equally proof-like.

Every world coin book I read gave conflicting information about these coins. Some said they were limited, others claim they were only made in proof, and most just overlooked that type.

Thanks to the Charlton Standard Catalogue of Canadian Coins I know the story.

This is an International Year of the Volunteer design on a dime. Made from Multi-Ply plated steel it was made to commemorate the 7.5 million Canadian volunteers who work towards making Canada a better place for all. (Of course I'm quoting the book.)

The reverse has three figures, which look all like women to me, and a radiant sun. The banner says YEAR OF VOLUNTEERS ♦ ANNEES DES BENEVOLES. They were issued for circulation but made with a higher quality, also in silver, and in proof.

Here's the stats...
Type/Country: 10 Cents / Canada
Year: 2001 P (Non-Proof)
Mintage: 224,714,000
Metal: 92% Steel, 5.5% Copper, 2.5% Nickel (Pictured on a magnet)
Value: $0.10 in G-4

I'm guessing if more people volunteered they might have gotten a special quarter or dollar.

Update: Interesting link from Coins and Canada that shows some die clash varieties. Thanks to LIghtw4re.

Do you have any Canadian coin and want to know its value? Leave a comment/question and I will do my best to find out the price and history for you.

It's Something

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Yes I've been busy and have not been able to post regularly on my new finds. I will say it's not much of an issue since most of my finds are common despite the fact I tried to make change as much as possible.

The U.S. nickel and dollar were from a MetroCard vending machine while the Canadian nickel is from change at a store. Just to get dollar coins I use the MetroCard machines and while most of dollars are from 2000 and crusty brown they do have a quick turnaround. A recent subway trip got me a 2009-P 11th President dollar coin which is good since it came out on August 20, 2009 and it was in my hand by October 18, 2009.

Again nothing too special about each coin:

• The 2006 Canada 5 cents is the first one for me.
• The 1957-D U.S. nickel is the 4th for me but it is half a century old so why not.
• The U.S. dollar is just 1 month old and that is early for a change find.

Here's the stats...
Type/Country: 5 Cents / Canada
Year: 2006 RCM Logo
Mintage: 43,008,000 (Estimated)
Metal: 94.5% Steel, 3.5% Copper, 2% Nickel
Value: $0.05

Type/Country: 5 Cents / United States of America
Year: 1957 D
Mintage: 136,828,900
Metal: 75% copper 25% nickel
Value: $0.05

Type/Country: 1 Dollar-James K. Polk / United States
Year: 2009 P (Edge normal or ^^)
Mintage: 46,620,000 (Estimated)
Metal: 88.5% Copper, 6% Zinc, 3.5% Manganese, and 2% Nickel
Value: $1.00 in AU-50

Still not one 2009 dime or nickel.

Do you have any coin and want to know its value? Leave a comment/question and I will do my best to find out the price and history for you.

2008 Canada Quarter in the Black

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Few finds of interest and little time to post has slowed down my posting. This find was made in September and I used the scanner to grab an image.

While the coin itself is not particularly special the background is why I wanted to post. Taking this art class the professor made sure we bought a specific type of black construction paper.

The point was made that not all black construction paper is made equal. In the above scans you see a bit two black construction paper backgrounds. The slightly faded purplish piece is from a kid's pack. The nice dark true black is from a professional and expensive art store.

How does this relate to coins?
Let me bring this full circle. When using a camera or a scanner black backgrounds are the best. They bring out the luster of a coin with no reflections. The white flash that silver coins tends to have is very muted. Gold coins look especially great against a black background.

Now if I can only wipe all the dust of the scanner it would be great.

Type/Country: 25 Cents / Canada
Year: 2008 RCM Logo
Mintage: Not yet known.
Metal: 94% Steel, 3.8% Copper, 2.2% Nickel
Value: $0.75 in MS-60

Looking back at my pictures you may notice I enjoy using all kinds of backgrounds, kind of like an inside joke that only I'm in on.

Do you have any Canadian coin and want to know its value? Leave a comment/question and I will do my best to find out the price and history for you.

Hungary for Coin

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Finally cleared out the left side of my desk from any lingering coins. This was the last of what I thought were interesting coins I got from a huge lot a while back. Now the right side of my desk has a few "bad" coins that are crusty of almost worn that I have to photograph but that may take some time so enjoy this little filler.

It is 116 years old and from Hungary. Although dated 1893 I'm not sure if it was minted in 1893 or 1892 as the book list mintage for both years as 1892.

10 Fillér K.B, the KB is the mint mark for Kremintz.

MAGYAR KIRÁLYI VÁLTÓPÉNZ which means Hungarian Royal token coin.
I think VÁLTÓPÉNZ should be separated to VÁLTÓ PÉNZ but my Hungarian is almost non-existent.

Here's the stats...
Type/Country: 10 Filler / Hungary
Year: 1893
Mintage: Unknown less than 15,753,000
Metal: 100% Nickel
Value: $0.25 in F-12(although the verdigris on this one drops the value to metal value)

There are some edge varieties but with only one I don't have enough to compare it to and little information from any other source.

Do you have a coin from Hungary and want to know its value? Leave a comment/question and I will do my best to find out the price and history for you.

1 Day or 8 Years

It is still a fresh wound and the threat is still out there.

Once again on September 11, 2001 nineteen Muslims under the banner of Al-Qaeda hijacked four planes and crash most of them in American buildings. The loss of life was large. Right-wing-Islamic religious hate is what sparked the attack as none of the hijackers were poor or oppressed.

Never forget.

1974 Canada Cent

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Nothing special to see here but I feel I must post something coin related before September 11.


Found in my change with a few older nickels but nothing to write about. I have a summary on Canadian coins that I want to share but that may take some time due to my new schedule.

Here's the stats...
Type/Country: 1 Cent / Canada
Year: 1974
Mintage: 692,058,489
Metal: 98% Copper, 0.5% Tin, and 1.5% Zinc
Value: $0.02 in F

I did enjoy the pictures taking with a borrowed camera, lots of nice color and contrast.

Do you have a Canada coin and want to know its value? Leave a comment/question and I will do my best to find out the price and history for you