Canada’s largest coin show underway in Calgary

The Royal Canadian Numismatic Society Show is on now in Calgary, and you might discover you have some valuable money hanging around in your junk drawer.

The largest coin and currency show held in Canada is now underway in Calgary.

The Royal Canadian Numismatic Association’s (RCNA) annual convention runs through July 20 at the Coast Plaza Hotel and Conference Centre, drawing dealers, collectors and enthusiasts from across the country for exhibits, seminars, auctions and a bustling bourse — a marketplace where vendors buy, sell and trade coins, paper money and related collectibles.

“This year’s convention gives the numismatic community a chance to come together, share knowledge, and celebrate our rich heritage,” said James A. Williston, chair of the 2025 convention.

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The event features 75 dealer tables and includes presentations from experts, competitive and non-competitive exhibits and a youth program.

“This is called a bourse, and it’s the exchange of money for coins or paper or tokens or anything like that,” said Bill O’Brien, outgoing RCNA president.

“It’s basically just one big flea market, if you want to call it, but for higher end, you know, coins of all sorts.”

O’Brien said many collectors are drawn to the history behind the pieces. “Every coin the Royal Canadian Mint puts out, or most other countries, there’s a lot of research done, and they will specialize in maybe Oscar Peterson’s life or other memorable things. Terry Fox obviously was on a coin before.”

Items on display range from ancient shells used in trade to Canadian Tire coupons — including one worth thousands of dollars.

“There’s the Canadian Tire coupons Collectors Club,” said Williston. “They don’t make the bills anymore. The last time they made a bill was in 2022 to celebrate Canadian Tire’s 100th anniversary. ”

“The most expensive one is worth about 2,500 bucks… It’s a yellow $2 note from, I think, in the mid-60s. So, they’re very hard to find.”

Paul Anderson of Perfectus Coins says ancient coins allow collectors to hold tangible pieces of history.

Among his collection are coins depicting the portraits of Mark Antony and Cleopatra. Others feature Julius Caesar, and even Caesar’s friend-turned-assassin Brutus.

“Just the imagination that someone living in the time of Cleopatra, Julius Caesar, Mark Antony… and of course Cleopatra had the connections with both of those very powerful Romans… and the fact that these coins with her image on it circulated amongst the people of the day.”

He said the fascination often leads collectors deeper into historical research.

“The coins are really just an inspiration to read the history, and that’s what’s fascinating.”

For many, the hobby starts early and becomes a lifelong passion.

“I used to go around the shows with my father from a young age of six,” said Isaac Waxman, owner of Niagara Gold Buyer.

“I just had a knack for grading coins.”

He said some dealers are drawn to the artistry, others to the business.

“Sometimes I will pay too much for a coin that I think looks good, and it usually pays off. When you buy quality, it pays off.”

Jacob Lipson, owner of Jacob Lipson Rare Coins in Ottawa, said the collecting bug runs deep.

“I think if you ask anybody in this room, they would tell you they had a disease called collecting,” he said. “This is… a space you can recede into and get away from the rest of the world.”

Lipson started as a teenager in Montreal and spent a decade working for a major U.S. auction house before launching his own business.

“For me, it’s kind of the art of it, the beauty of it. It’s sculpture. It’s like looking at a painting and appreciating it. And of course, it has the added benefit of being a piece of history that would have circulated.”

Even young collectors are finding their way in.

“Just like the pieces of history, preserving history… I think it’s super interesting,” said 19-year-old Alicia Sparks.

“There’s also, like, a certain amount of responsibility you feel after you buy a coin to, like, preserve its history.”

She added, “I’m just getting into it now, and there’s so much to learn. Even the people who’ve done it for years and years, like, they’ve always told me that, like, there’s more they can learn.”

Williston said youth programming is a priority for the RCNA.

“Calgary has probably the biggest youth attendance of any show. We have the most kids or children that show up… and they have auctions and everything like that.”

He said coin collecting teaches “history, responsibility, geography… a lot of educational aspects to growing up.”

Many collectors, like O’Brien, start young, but see their interest wane as they build their careers and families will see the passion return later in life. “Most of us sort of re-enter the hobby, maybe 40s and 50s… and it’s time to, you know, branch out a bit.”

Williston puts the allure of the coin simply.

“Julius Caesar might have held that… You just never know who’s held it, what it’s bought… So it has an aspect of just, where has that been and what’s it done?”

For more information, or to register, visit www.rcna.ca.