RCM New Release: 2017 Special Edition Pure Silver Proof Set - Canada 150: Our Home And Native Land

So, the only Proof Set..BUT....

Yes, I can see it now, this is only the beginning.




In the Land of the First, a One-Of-A-Kind-This most certainly does not eliminate a One-Of-A-Kind-That.

So I'd bet this image is to become the 2017 NCLT symbol of Celebrating Canada's 150th birthday....in a variety of sizes, metals and colours.



It sort of makes sense, if the Goose became known to represent the most well known coin symbol of 1967, what will become synonymous with 2017?

The sustained popularity of silver proof sets in general is somewhat surprising to me. In 2014 mintage 25,000, decreased to 20,000 in 2015, held in 2016 and the same for the Special Edition 2017. I think RCM still must have a fair size following of more traditional circulation collectors who have perfected the art of turning a blind eye the loads of gimmicky stuff.

I'm amazed that RCM kept the mintage of this Special Edition Set the same, if it's indeed the only set featuring actual size 2017 circulation coins minted in silver.

My blinders are on!

We may have to have a 36 mm Dollar thread.
Start at 1935 and go to this year.
Days of thread ... Lots of pics.

These are fairly easy questions for me to answer.

Why do I collect Canada's 36mm commemorative silver dollars?

I enjoy learning about Canadian history and the RCM's annual commemorative SD issues assist me with this interest. For each new coin I add to my collection, I spend some time exploring the person, place or event being celebrated. Each coin serves as a catalyst for me to explore history. I also enjoy considering how the designer for each coin interpreted and expressed the history being commemorated. I find the whole process intellectually rewarding. I also enjoy being an art collector whose preferred medium is round disks of silver and gold.

What do I do with my collection?

I write about it, publishing stories online as well as in print. I create educational exhibits with items from it so that others may also learn a bit about history through them. I give talks about it so that I can share my enthusiasm for my coins and introduce others to them. I bring the coins to my local coin clubs and pass them around for show-and-tell to expose fellow collectors to them.

I consider my collection a tool that can be used to teach others and possibly excite them about collecting. I certainly enjoy building my collection, but it is the sharing of it with others that I find most rewarding - being a "solitary collector" does not appeal to me.

My Proof sets, the best answer to WHY for years and years I bought a proof set each January - I wanted to carry on the tradition of my father, so it became routine not a lot different from renewal of vehicle registration, annual medical checkups, or raking leaves in the fall.

The brochure would arrive in the mail and I'd send in my order. The box would arrive, I'd look at the set for a couple of minutes, maybe leave it on the table for a day or two, then into the storage area it would go. The next year, same thing, over and over.

Now that I've pulled out all the SDs and have them in single holders, I often admire them from time to time, show friends and relatives, and feel a sense of pride in rescuing all those SDs from the boxes and bins.

I may pull the toonies out some day as well but it'd be a joint project with my grandson.