Wildlife set of $5 coins popular with collectors

Last time I wrote about the collector coins up to $4. Today I would like to start with the $5 coin.

The first $5 coin was made for the 1976 Olympics and it was paired with a $10 coin. There were 14 of each made and were sold single, in a set of four, or in a complete set of 28. The price on these coins run about three times face value.

Other commemorative coins are the FIFA world cup, (which has doubled in value), and the 100th anniversary of Canada Open Golf Championship. A very popular set is the coin and stamp sets in a wooden box called the wildlife series. moose, deer, walrus, falcon, and sable horse. The majestic moose was the first in the series

and has a book value of $165.

Another popular coin is the sky series. This was a set of four coins which may also called the moon series. There was the buck moon, hunters moon, wolf moon, and the pink moon. Each coin had its own colour on the coin and sell for about $120 each.

From 2005 there has been a $5 coin produced in most years representing various events. These coins have all been holding their value or slightly higher. The first $8 coin was produced in 2004 and personally one of my favourites. It has a picture of the great grizzly walking. Some of the stamp collectors have seen this same image on stamps.

In 2005 another $8 coin was made, this one celebrating the 125th anniversary of the Canadian Pacific Railway. There were two versions, a railway bridge, and the Chinese memorial. Each coin was similar to our toonie with a gold-plated inner core and containing 1.03oz of silver. In 2007 the mint featured another China-related coin with a square hole in the middle, called the Chinese coin. The issue price was $49.95 and it’s now selling around $60.

Also in 2007 there was a Maple of Long Life” coin. This proof finish hologram coin is also .9999 silver and issue price was $45.95 and selling for $60. In 2009 there was a Maple of Wisdom coin of proof finish hologram with a ruby insert in centre of coin. The issue price was $88 and it sells now for around $100. In 2010 a similar coin with black flock insert instead of the ruby. All of the above coins are either .925 silver or .9999 silver and may still be available at some coin dealers.

If you are thinking of purchasing any coin, other than from a dealer, be very, very careful. The Chinese are now reproducing these coins in great numbers and selling them over the internet at reduced prices, and then a buyer then turns around and sells them again over the internet at retail price. If the coin does not come with the certificate of authenticy and Mint box, it may be fake.

Collector’s Corner is contributed by the Medicine Hat Coin & Stamp Club. For questions or comments about coin or stamp collection email medhatcsc@live.com