Chronology of Canadian Coins (1978-1981)

Chronology of Canadian Coins

Copyright © 1995-2006 Ken Polsson
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References are numbered in [brackets], which are listed in this file. A number after the dot gives the page in the source.

Last updated: 2006 September 1.

1842-1889 1890-1919 1920-1939 1940-1959 1960-1969 1970-1974 1975-1977 1978-1981 1982-1984 1985-1989 1990-1992 1993-1995 1996-1997 1998-1999 2000-2001 2002-2003 2004-2005 2006

1978

January 25

Representatives of the Royal Canadian Mint, the Canadian Association of Numismatic Dealers, and the Canadian Numismatic Association meet to discuss a system of delivering Mint products to dealers on a monthly basis based on dealer projections for the year. [388.96]
(month unknown)

The Royal Canadian Mint modifies the dies for the 50c coin, changing two round jewels in the reverse crown band to rectangular shape. [451.11]
An 1871 10c coin in choice Proof condition, one of two known, sells for $14,000 to $17,500 to a prominent Canadian numismatist. [605.4]
April 21

A bill receives second reading in the House of Commons. It seeks to limit legal tender status of gold coins to one coin per payment over $100, and to give Cabinet power over production of gold coins. [607.1]
(month unknown)

Supply Minister Jean-Pierre Goyer announces plans for a $100 gold Unity coin to be available in September. The coin would be the first in a series of $100 gold coins, each with its own theme. [607.1]
Jeremy Day of New World Coin & Stamp store in North Vancouver buys a 1969 large date 10c coin in VF condition for $700. [694.18]
May 1

Bill C-51 is introduced into the House of Commons. The bill seeks to amend the Criminal Code to deal with "False Coins of Numismatic Interest". [388.253] [698.12]
May 8

The House of Commons gives third and final reading to a bill regarding gold coins. It allows a $100 gold national unity coin in the fall. It also allows other coins to be struck in future years, without requiring parliamentary approval. It also relaxes the restriction that a gold coin must contain enough gold to cover its face value. [61.1944] [172.250] [265.B2] [608.1]
(month unknown)

The Bank of Canada acquires the Royal Canadian Mint's coin and paper money collection on indefinite loan, for display in a Currency Museum. [32.8]
Master tools are created for a 16mm diameter cent. [172.245]
The Royal Canadian Mint discusses a new circulating dollar coin with interested parties, via meetings of the Currency Advisory Committee. [173.3]
July

The government authorizes the Royal Canadian Mint to produce 200,000 commemorative $100 gold coins in 1978. [266.B7]
July 20

Supply Minister Jean-Pierre Goyer unveils the new 1978 $100 national unity gold coin in Ottawa. Issue price will be $150. Mintage is limited to 200,000 coins. The design was created by Roger Savage. [61.1987] [268.B1] [610.1] [615.1]
Supply Minister Jean-pierre Goyer announces plans for the Royal Canadian Mint to strike gold bullion coins to compete with South Africa's Kruggerand coin. [610.1]
July

Some auction highlights from the Canadian Numismatic Association: 1871 25c Proof: $2350; 1875H 25c Proof: $4750; 1921 50c G-VG: $4800. [612.9]
At the Canadian Numismatic Association convention, Master of the Royal Canadian Mint Yvon Gariepy announces that the 1979 $100 gold coin would mark the Year of the Child, and the $1 silver coin would commemorate 300th anniversary of the first commercial ship on the Great Lakes. [611.1]
Charlton International Publishing releases the 1979 Charlton's Standard Catalogue of Canadian Coins, 27th edition. Price is $2.75. [611.v,7]
November 9

The Greater Toronto Coin and Stamp Show (Torex) is held. Over 3000 attend. [613.6] [20.1]
(month unknown)

In Boston, Massachussettes, USA, the Bay State Coin & Stamp Show holds an auction of the A.J. Amato II Collection. Some highlights: 1921 50c choice uncirculated: US$35,000; 1921 5c uncirculated: US$6,500; 1889 25c BU: US$1,600; 1904 50c cleaned uncirculated: US$4,000. [20.10]
December 13

A proclamation sets the design of the 1979 $100 gold coin, commemorating the International Year of the Child. [106.15]
A proclamation sets the design of the 1979 silver $1 coin, commemorating the 300th anniversary of the first ship to sail the Great Lakes above Niagara Falls. [106.17]
December 31

The Royal Canadian Mint struck 769,931,828 Canadian coins for circulation during 1978, and 3,479,472 numismatic coins. [616.26]

1979

February

The Cabinet authorizes minting of gold bullion coins for sale on the world market commencing in September. [267.B16]
February 20

A proclamation amends the Currency and Exchange Act, authorizing the issue of $50 gold bullion coins, with diameter of 30mm, weight of 481.25 grains, and fineness 999.5, effective March 1, 1979. [108.1154]
February 23

The Supply Minister announces in the House of Commons that Canada will produce bullion gold pieces, called Maple Leaf coins, for a three-year trial period. The coins will contain one ounce of gold, and have a face value of $50. [62.2090] [172.252] [274.29] [331]
(month unknown)

Supply and Services Minister Pierre De Bane announces the 1979 $100 gold coin, to honor the International Year of the Child. The 22k gold coin is to be available in May. [617.1]
Supply and Services Minister Pierre De Bane announces the 1979 $1 silver coin, to commemorate the 300th anniversary of the first voyage by a commercial ship, the Griffon, on the Great Lakes. The 0.500 fine silver coin is to be available in March. [617.1]
March 1

Charlton International Publishing releases the 28th edition of Charlton's Standard Catalogue of Canadian Coins, by J.E. Charlton. This issue incorporates the American Numismatic Association's numeric system of grading. Price is $2.75. [618.10]
(month unknown)

Supply and Services Minister Pierre De Bane and the President of the Board of Economic Development Ministers, R.K. Andras, announce that a gold bullion coin would be produced by the Royal Canadian Mint. The Gold Maple Leaf would have a face value of $50, and contain one troy ounce of 0.999 fine gold. The gold bullion program is set for three years, with 1 million coins produced in the first year, to be officially launched in September. [19.1]
April 5

A proclamation removes the limitation of 200,000 coins minted for the 1979 $100 gold coin issue. [107.1548]
May 4

In Montreal, Monex '79 convention is held. 3291 attend. Auction highlights: 1921 5c gem uncirculated $11,000; 1936 dot 25c BU $2100; 1947 specimen set, blunt $1, CR 50c, $8500; 1946 specimen set $6000; 1929 specimen set $27,000, resold for $40,000 at the convention. [617.29] [620.1] [621.11]
(month unknown)

The Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada designates the site of the Royal Canadian Mint buildings in Ottawa as a historic site. [218.5]
August

The Royal Canadian Mint produces test tokens for a 19 mm diameter one cent coin weighing 2.8 grams, for the vending machine industry to test in their equipment. [24.1] [661.213] [642.28] [690.6]
At an auction in St. Louis, Missouri, Anthony Carrato of the Eagle Coins company in Niagara Falls, Ontario, buys a 1911 $1 pattern for US$160,000 (about CDN$184,000). [18.1] [25.1] [29.26] [630.12] (US$165,000 [37.21])
September 5

The Royal Canadian Mint launches the gold Maple Leaf bullion coin program. A 1-ounce coin with .999 purity and $50 face value goes on sale in Canada, the U.S. and Europe. [1] [8] [62.2195] [71.2] [152.19] [209.B1] [429.1] [637.1] (September 1 [258.28]) (September 6 [67.684] [169.853] [269.B11]) (September 9? [56])
September

The Royal Canadian Mint places a limitation on orders of $1 silver coins to five coins per order. [625.8]
The Royal Canadian Mint temporarily stops filling orders for $1 silver coins, pending a price review, due to the increased cost of purchasing silver. [625.1,8]
The Royal Canadian Mint changes the price of the 1979 silver $1 coin from $5.50 to $10.80. This is the first time that the issue price of a collector item is changed during its issue. The change is due to the soaring price of silver. [17.1] [210.9]
October

The Canadian Automatic Merchandising Association approves the proposed 2.8 gram one-cent coin. [24.1] [642.28]
November 22

The Greater Toronto Coin and Stamp Exhibition (Torex) is held in Mississauga, Ontario. 3752 attend. Tony Carratto displays his creation of a 1911 specimen set, including for the first time the 1911 $1 pattern. [622.16] [626.18] [25.1]
December 12

Master of the Royal Canadian Mint Yvon Gariepy announces the design of the 1980 silver $1 coin, commemorating the 100th anniversary of the transfer of Arctic territories from England to Canada. The design was created by Donald Paterson. [389.79] [25.1] [24.1]
Master of the Royal Canadian Mint Yvon Gariepy announces the design of the 1980 gold $100 coin, commemorating the 100th anniversary of the transfer of Arctic territories from England to Canada. The design was created by Arnaldo Marchetti. [389.79] [25.1]
December 13

A proclamation sets the design for the 1980 silver $1 coin, featuring a polar bear on an ice floe, effective January 1, 1980. [109.3]
A proclamation changes the weight of the $50 gold bullion coin to 480.71 grains, with fineness 999.9, effective January 1, 1980. [109.5]
December

The Canadian government announces plans to introduce a thinner, lighter 1c coin. As of January 1, the government will have the authority to mint a 1c coin weighing 2.8 grams with diameter of 19.0 mm. [25.1]
December 31

Total production of circulating Canadian coins at the Royal Canadian Mint for the year: 1,418,854,221 coins. [15] [34.1] [635.17]

1980

January 1

The government gains the authority to mint a one-cent coin weighing 2.8 grams and diameter of 19.0 mm. [25.1]
Charlton International Publishing releases the 1980 Charlton Coin Guide, 20th Edition, for $1.50. [25.19] [32.10]
January

The reduced weight cent goes into production. [14]
January 30

A proclamation sets the design of the 1980 $100 gold coin, featuring an Inuit in a kayak, effective January 1, 1980. [110.389]
(month unknown)

A 1979 10c struck on a 1c planchent, in uncirculated condition, sells for $2800. [23.7]
February 4

Canadian silver coins are removed from the federal export control list, allowing them to be freely exported. The one cent coin remains on the export control list. [23.1]
February

The Royal Canadian Mint sets the price of the 1980 silver dollar coin at $22. [210.9]
March 1

The Royal Canadian Mint begins selling 1980 silver dollar coins. [210.9] [629.1]
March 14

In Montreal, Quebec, the CAND Spring trade show is held. At the auction, a choice BU 1932 50c coin sells for $5000. [629.16] [632.14]
March

Charlton Press releases the book Charlton Standard Catalogue of Canadian Coins, 30st edition. [640.8]
March 20

In Toronto, Ontario, the Spring Torex coin show is held. 4300 people attend. [25.1] [628.1] [632.1]
(month unknown)

A 1970 VIP set sells for US$825 at the Florida United Numismatists convention, in Orlando, Florida. [634.7]
May 2

In Montreal, Quebec, the Monex '80 coin show is held. 2500 people attend. [629.27] [633.1]
(month unknown)

Quote by Robert Aaron in Canadian Coin News: "The Royal Canadian Mint has no plans to replace the Canadian dollar bill with a coin.". (In early 1982 the Mint will begin testing a smaller dollar coin, and in 1985 the Mint will recommend that the government replace the paper $1 with a smaller circulating $1 coin.) [634.7]
A 1970 VIP set sells for US$1000 at an auction in Van Nuys, California. [634.7]
At a coin auction in New York, a 1916c gold sovereign sells for US$32,000. [27.1]
The Royal Canadian Mint begins accepting orders for the 1980 $100 gold Proof coin. Price is $430. Mintage is limited to 300,000. [635] [642.1]
August 14

In Cincinatti, Ohio, Paramount International Coin holds the Auction '80 auction, over two days. A Specimen 1870 50c coin sells for $9000. [634] [635.30]
August 20

In Yellowknife, Northwest Territories, the Royal Canadian Mint unveils the 1980 $100 gold coin, commemorating 100 years since the Arctic islands were transferred from Great Britain to Canada. The coin's image, depicting an Inuk hunting in a kayak, was designed by Arnaldo Marchetti. [22.1] (September 1 [7]) (August 22 [389.361])
August 21

In Cincinnati, Ohio, US Secret Service agents seize a Canadian 1970 Manitoba centennial dollar apparently struck in gold, from an auction. The piece may have been illegally struck inside the Royal Canadian Mint. [21.1] [708.7]
September 1

The 1980 $100 gold coin is made available to the public, for $430. [22] [389.361]
September 26

In Calgary, Alberta, the Fall CAND show is held, over three days. [635.17]
September 27

Coin auction highlights of the CAND show: 1921 5c $1900, 1875 H 25c AU $2400, 1888 50c Unc $3000, 1911 50c BU $3000, 1947 50c ML CR7 VF/EF $2400. [637.7]
October

The 1 billionth coin is struck at the Royal Canadian Mint. [13]
October 15

In Toronto, Charles D. Moore Auctions hosts a coin auction. A 1921 5c VF-25 sells for $4000. [636.1] [639.11]
October 16

Torex '80 is held, over four days. 6500 people attend the show. [632.1] [636.1] [638.1]
November 14

In Montreal, Quebec, the Quebex coin show is held, over three days. An 1875 3-coin specimen set sells at auction for $43,000. [635.13] [641.12]
November

Charlton Press releases the book Charlton Standard Catalogue of Canadian Coins, 31st edition. Price is $3.50. [27.18] [640.8]
December 5

The Bank of Canada's Canadian Currency Museum opens to the public. [32.8] [158.16]
December 18

A proclamation sets the design of the 1981 $100 gold coin featuring notes of the National Anthem. [115.711]
December 31

Total production of circulating Canadian coins at the Royal Canadian Mint for the year: 1,302,365,946 coins. [34.1]

1981

January 20

The Minister of Supply and Services announces designs for the 1981 silver dollar and $100 gold coins. The silver dollar marks the 100th anniversary of the approval of the government to build the Trans-Canada railway. The $100 gold coin celebrates the adoption, in 1980, of O Canada as the national anthem. [28.1] [31.1] (February [8])
January 30

Yvon Gariepy announces that the Royal Canadian Mint will strike Proof coin sets and silver dollars for the first time in Canada. The coins will be available in March. [30.1] [8]
(month unknown)

The National Film Board of Canada acquires copies of the film The Trial of the Pyx, a Charlton-produced film about the history of numismatics in Canada. The National Film Board makes the films available for free borrowing. [31.7]
March

Eagle Coin Company sells a 1911 silver pattern dollar for $325,000 to Carlton Numismatics, of Birmingham, Michigan. [29.26] [36.4] [121.20]
(month unknown)

Canadian Wholesale Supply releases the Canadian Coins, Tokens and Paper Money, 1st Edition, Standard Catalogue, by Will Gandley. [29.25]
May 1

In Montreal, the Monex '81 show is held, over three days. An 1870 specimen set (5c, 10c, 25c, 50c) is sold at auction for $59,000. A specimen 1931 50c sells for $10,000. [27.7] [31.11] [665.18]
May 14

A proclamation refines the description of the 1981 $100 gold coin, making the four notes of "O Canada" musically accurate. [116.1720]
The Royal Canadian Mint announces a change to the design of the 1981 $100 gold coin. The modified design adds detail and accuracy to the representation of the first four notes of the national anthem. [28.1]
(month unknown)

The Charlton Press releases the 32nd edition of The Charlton Standard Catalogue of Canadian Coins, Summer 1981. [27.18]
At an auction in England, a Canadian 1969 25-cent coin struck on a Prussian 1906 gold 20-marks coin is sold. The coin was illegally produced at the Royal Canadian Mint in 1969. [708.1]
July 12

The Royal Canadian Mint produces a set of 12-sided one-cent test tokens. [661.215]
July

The Royal Canadian Mint announces the availability of the 1981 Royal Wedding Philatelic / Numismatic Cover. [152.19]
The government Minister of Supply and Services extends the Royal Canadian Mint's gold bullion (Maple Leaf) program for another ten years. [256.2] [692.B12]
In Toronto, Canada, the Canadian Numismatic Association holds its annual convention, hosted by the Toronto Coin Club. [36.1]
July 28

In Halifax, Nova Scotia, the Minister of Supply and Services unveils the "O Canada" design for the 1981 $100 gold coin. [10] [26] [65] [667.1]
(month unknown)

An the ANA Convention in Milwaukee, a Canadian 50c/$100 mule coin is seized by the FBI and RCMP, being a suspected unauthorized piece. [653.1]
Calton Numismatics of Birmingham, Michigan, creates the 1911 Dollar Associates syndication, in which investors can purchase shares in ownership of the 1911 $1 pattern, for US$4500 per each of 100 total shares. [669.1]
September 1

The 1981 $100 gold coin goes on sale. [26] [28.1]
September 18

The Charlton Press releases the 33rd edition of The Charlton Standard Catalogue of Canadian Coins. [668.1]
(month unknown)

Empire Industries sells a 1947 specimen set with a "blunt 7" $1 coin for $25,000. [36.4]
November 20

In Toronto, Ontario, the Toronto International Coin Fair and International Numismatic Society Joint Convention is held. Over 100 dealers and 2600 collectors attend. [670.C4] [672.4]
November 30

Master of the Mint Yvon Gariepy resigns, to take a position in marketing at Canada Post. [670.1]
(month unknown)

Empire Industries sells a 1947 specimen set with blunt '7' dollar coin, for $25,000. [671.1]
December 10

A proclamation authorizes the issue of bronze 1c coins, weight 2.5 grams, 12-sided, effective January 1, 1982. [111.690]
A proclamation changes the composition of the 5c coin to 75% copper, 25% nickel (cupro-nickel), with weight 4.6 grams, effective January 1, 1982. [111.692]
December 14

Nickle Arts Museum announces the resurfacing of the original 1858 double set of coins of the Province of Canada. [39.1]
December 15

In Regina, Saskaschewan, the Supply and Services Minister launches the 1982 commemorative silver dollar, marking the centennial of the city. The reverse was designed by Huntley Brown. [39.1]
December 17

The Supply and Services Minister announces that the 1982 1c piece will be 12-sided, to aid the blind in distinguishing it from the 5c piece. [39.5] [661.63]
A proclamation allows the year on the $50 gold bullion coin to be the year of issue, effective January 1, 1982. [111.686]
December 29

The Supply and Services Minister announces that the 1982 5c piece will be struck in cupronickel (75% copper, 25% nickel). [38.1]
December 31

Total production of circulating Canadian coins at the Royal Canadian Mint for the year: 1,576,688,000 coins, of which 1.2 billion are 1 cent coins, the highest ever. [34.1] [661.63]

End of 1978-1981. Next: 1982-1984.

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1842-1889 1890-1919 1920-1939 1940-1959 1960-1969 1970-1974 1975-1977 1978-1981 1982-1984 1985-1989 1990-1992 1993-1995 1996-1997 1998-1999 2000-2001 2002-2003 2004-2005 2006

A list of references to all source material is available.

Other web pages of interest:

Chronology of Canadian NCLT Coins

Canadian Coins: Type Collecting

Ken P's Today in History