Canadian Coin Varieties

This a question that I have asked myself many times. In a way I am happy with the current book and might have been daunted with an innumerable number of coins added in the Charlton Catalogue. Sure it wouldn't have to have too many extra coins added, but from a beginner standpoint looking for varieties or error coins could be frustrating. There are several places that I go to for finding varieties or coins that may one day make it into the Charlton book.

Part of the issue is how varieties are accepted by the Charlton group for inclusion into their catalogue. It takes an extreme amount of time to have them publish any new variety, and am not sure how this process of inclusion is done but am sure it requires some consensus from heralded numatists. A newby like myself to the hobby is not going to have an effect because I am still learning and picking apart the different subsets of the hobby.

Building a book with varieties would not likely garner any financial reward, but would add some depth to the hobby. Then again, with the newer Generation coming along that has knowledge in web publishing this type to book could be done without the need for an actual book. My cousins family makes books on their own from vacations photos etc. just for their family at a minimal cost and they are quite attractive.

I do enjoy finding and looking for odd coins, but I cannot say that many people willingly look for hours like myself at thousands of coins just to find one that may be worth a fraction of a dollar. If there is/was a book with nothing but varieties I might buy it but it would all depend on how deeply a person wants to get mired in the hobby. I like to learn and read, with this hobby there really aren't the proper resources to pull people into the hobby, history, manufacturing and design are completely left out in standard coin resource books and all this is very important to understanding how varieties are important.

Good on you for bringing up this topic LaureateBust.

I collaborate with the Charlton catalog.

It is not as straightforward as one would think. The whole process is the result of years of experience accumulated by the editors and the ideological mission of protecting Canadian numismatics.

First, you have to convince the editor that you know what you are talking about. One has to show that the knowledge is recognized by the peers. A variety has to be shown in hand - on very rare occasions a picture will be accepted. Pictures are taken, always by the same photographer (only one exception - the nickel dollar section). The editor will make his own inquires and decide based on the information he receives from other experts, what goes to the front and what stays in the back.

It is a conservative and careful approach that satisfies me, and many others I know.

I would love to see one volume with all varieties - and in color. But the price would be too high for the Canadian market.

Agree P. not always that straightforward.