Commems Collection Canadian: A Collecting Pursuit - Non-Starters

Since 2020, I've added 16 silver $5 coins - struck on a 36mm planchet - to my collection. There are a few, however, that I purposely did not add to my acquisition list as they are not the type of coin I prefer to collect. I thought I'd mention them and see what folks think.

First up is the 2006 Salute to Canada's Snowbirds Silver $5 Coin. My reasons for against making it part of my collection center around the fact that the coin's commemorative design is primarily a hologram vs. being engraved. I collect coins for the engraved art, not their ability to host a colour image.

The coin was sold in a specially-packaged Coin and Stamp Set with a pair of Snowbird $1 stamps (within a small souvenir sheet). The Set is often available and is generally inexpensive, I just have no interest in it.

2006 Salute to the Snowbirds Silver $5 Coin

(Image Credit: Royal Canadian Mint. Media Image.)

The other Silver $5 Coin that I have little to no interest in is the 2015 Year of the Sheep coin.

Reason Against #1: Its commemorative design is "painted" on vs. being engraved.

Reason Against #2: The Mint did not follow through with the other "Year of" coins to complete the Chinese zodiac calendar set.

If the applied colour wasn't enough to turn me off, the fact that the coin is an "orphan" sealed the deal. No, Thanks!

2015 Year of the Sheep Silver $5 Coin

(Image Credit: Royal Canadian Mint. Media Image.)


The three-coin Cornelius Kreighoff Set is a remote possibility, as is the four-coin "Tradition of Hunting" series, but neither is on my short- or medium-term collecting radar.

As I've said before, if the Mint renews its 36mm Silver $5 commemorative program, I will give the coin(s) consideration. However, my wallet is not on alert.