Starck Reality: Modern Canada Gets Full Review
Thousands of Canadian coin listings have been updated and reviewed as NumisMaster prepares a new collector-focused reference covering every issue from the mid-1800s to today.
Photograph courtesy of NumisMaster.
The NumisMaster team has reviewed every single coin issued by Canada over the last quarter-century, totaling some 4,100 individual lines of data.
The review process began in earnest in mid-February and continued until late April. During that time, listings were scrutinized, and specifications were added or adjusted as needed. Pricing was added to the several hundred items issued in the last few years and reviewed and adjusted for the thousands of coins released since the turn of the last century.
The precious metals boom of 2025 necessitated the adoption of pricing formulas for so many commemorative coins whose prices were dependent upon the precious metal contained therein, instead of a fixed amount that, in the majority of cases, had not stayed caught up to the market.
In the case of the 2017 silver $20 “Pysanka” coin (designated KM 2430), the price increase from $90 to $400 was unrelated to the metals spike. Rather, it reflects how the market for Canada’s “Pysanka” coins has developed over the last decade. That may have been the first change in price in the database for the commemorative coin.
Pricing analyst Eugene Freeman concentrated on coins (and token issues) of the 1800s and 1900s, while I reviewed his entries and all issues from 2001 to date. Freeman completed his work in January and February, at which time I picked up the mantle and brought the project home. All of these changes and improvements were necessary in the course of regular workflow, but they will underpin a new initiative from Active Interest Media: print-on-demand books for world coin collectors.
The first international product will focus on America’s neighbor to the north, Canada. This book will cover every issue from Canada, from the provincial days of the mid-1800s to the coins issued in 2025, geared mostly for collectors.
This is all about ensuring that the database and resulting books are accurate and user-friendly, and we remain committed to continual growth and improvement in this and every country listing.
Jeff Starck can be reached at jstarck@aimmedia.com
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Jeff Starck is the Market Analyst for Numismaster.com and is a lifelong collector and writer. His appreciation for and interest in world coins and writing allows him to share the hobby with others.
