Spring 2023 Update

It’s been 10 full months since my last blog post — too long, no doubt. In those 10 months there’s been a flurry of activity, from cataloging the Harry W. Bass, Jr., Bob Simpson, and Scott Douglas Collections to purchasing estates and collections to setting up shows, including at Ottawa and Toronto. In the fall of 2022, I was able to acquire two sizeable groups of Canadian tokens and secure an impressive consignment of Canadian rarities. On a personal note, I was also able to squeeze in a golf trip to Cape Breton and spent a couple weeks in Spain in January 2023. The fun never stops.

Right now, I continue to process the material in stock, plus a newly obtained collection of American countermarks. Some of those will be listed on my site, while others will be sold through weekly eBay auctions, so stay tuned. Processing takes time, and balancing that with other cataloging responsibilities can be challenging. The site doesn’t get updated as frequently as I would like, but your ongoing support is appreciated!

I am always looking to buy new material. Whether it’s a specialized collection, a one-off you’re looking part with, an estate lot, scrap gold or silver, I guarantee a fair price paid and your complete satisfaction. I work with my clients to ensure their material is handled appropriately and I guide them through any number of routes for selling, whether auction, outright sale, or consignment. With that said, feel free to send and email or give me a call to discuss.

It has already been a record-setting year for Jacob Lipson Rare Coins, so thanks to all of you who have contributed to that success. I look forward to seeing some of you at my next show in Halifax. Until then, keep in touch and make sure to check back regularly.

Lipson Brothers at Cabot Links (Inverness, N.S) in September 2022

Ottawa Monthly Coin Show at the Royal Canadian Legion

Jacob Lipson Rare Coins at the Spring 2023 Toronto Coin Expo

Ottawa RCNA Convention Recap

It was a week a lot of us had been looking forward to for months, if not years. The RCNA’s annual convention took place in Ottawa from July 20 to July 24, and was, by all accounts, a success. Volunteers from the Ottawa Numismatic Society worked hard all week to staff the Registration Desk and Hospitality Suite, while the RCNA managed tours, the symposium, and the bourse floor. Thanks to everyone who lent a helping hand to put it together.

The show was a home game for me, which was a treat. I arrived first thing Thursday morning to help out with what little needed to be done on the bourse floor, like cleaning cases, and to contribute what I could to manning the Registration Desk. Dealer setup began at 1:00pm and lasted until 5:00pm. This is always one of the more hectic times during a show when dealers are simultaneously trying to get their stuff together and pillage other dealers’ inventories before all the best material is gone. It was a fun but I was exhausted by end of the day and headed straight home afterward.

Friday morning it was showtime. I took a cab downtown and arrived by 8:30am. The bourse was already busy with dealers getting set up, and 30 minutes later the Registrants were allowed in. The show was on. As president of the host club I participated in the official ribbon-cutting ceremony at 9:45am with Steve Woodland, president of the RCNA, Dr. Ralph Ross, president of the ANA, and Marie Lemay, Mint Master and CEO of the Royal Canadian Mint. Afterward it was back to my table for what was the most intense two hours of the show. The room was bustling with collectors from opening until noon, and sales were brisk. Things died down considerably around lunch time and remained subdued through the end of the day. I grabbed dinner with a friend around 4:30pm and then hung around the hotel bar until about 7:00pm. After that it was back home to get ready for Saturday.

Saturday started off slow. There weren’t too many collectors on the floor that morning, and not much seemed to be happening. I went for lunch at the Tim Hortons connected to the hotel with a couple of friends and got back to my table around 1:30pm. That was when things started to pick up. It was a pleasant and totally unexpected surprise that Saturday afternoon was hopping. I don’t know where everyone was earlier in the day, but it seemed like they all arrived at the same time after lunch. Sales were strong, and it was great to continue meeting people and putting faces to names. By 5:00pm it was time for a beer with some advanced collectors. We spent about an hour trading war stories and talking about grading, major auctions, and our experiences in the hobby. It was great. Around 6:15pm I went up to the penthouse floor, where the RCNA Banquet was being held. There was an hour-long reception before doors opened, providing the opportunity to speak with collectors, researchers, dealers, publishers, and others involved in Canadian numismatics. The banquet lasted more than two hours and included a presentation on Canadian banknote counterfeiters as well as the awards ceremony. The banquet was followed by a reception in the Hospitality Suite, again providing the opportunity to speak with convention-goers. After a long day, I got home around 11:30pm.

Sunday, the final day of the show, was dead. Dealers were closing up shop and finalizing sales, collectors were saying their goodbyes, and everyone seemed to be looking at their watches waiting for 2:00pm to come around. It was a long week, but a good week. I’m looking forward to the next one.

Happy Summer! A June 2022 JLRC Report

Happy summer! I hope you have been enjoying good times with friends and family, and with your collections. This May, I had the opportunity to spend some time away with my own family on a trip to Tuscany. It was a fortnight of great food, wine, art, history, and beautiful scenery that was very much needed after a couple of years without a proper vacation.

My return coincided with an onslaught of cataloging work and so there have been limited opportunities to update this site. That isn’t to say I don’t have plenty of updates to make. Indeed, there are a number of terrific new acquisitions I intend on imaging and posting in the run-up to the Ottawa RCNA Convention this July, where I will be balancing duties as both a dealer and president of the hosting Ottawa Numismatic Society. Make sure to check back regularly for new listings.

In the meantime please feel free to send along updated want lists. There is a good chance I may be sitting on just the right token or medal for your collection, and a quick email could potentially give you first crack at it. Along the same lines, I continue to be a strong buyer of better Canadian historical medals and other numismatica. If you have something you’ve been thinking about selling, don’t hesitate to get in touch.

I am looking forward to a busy month ahead and hope to see many of you in our nation’s capital July 22 to 24.

Toronto Coin Expo Recap

It was great to be back behind the table for the Toronto Coin Expo this past weekend. Kudos to Jared Stapleton for running such a tight ship. Small touches like adequate power bars, the correct number of lamps and keys, snacks, and other niceties go a long way toward making the show enjoyable for those of us setting up. The Toronto Reference Library is a wonderful venue. The Geoffrey Bell Auctions team is also to be commended for their hard work in conjunction with the Expo.

     I arrived in Toronto from Ottawa around 1:30pm, dropped my stuff off at the show, said hello to some friends I haven’t seen in years, then headed off to the Anndore House hotel. The hotel was conveniently located four blocks away and if not for the vinyl record player in place of a coffee maker and the lights turning on automatically in the middle of the night I would have said it was perfect. The hotel had a great little cafe and trendy, modern touches. I returned to the Toronto Reference Library at 5:30pm for Session One of the Geoffrey Bell auction, which began promptly at 6:00pm.

     The sale of the Michael Joffre Collection of Canadian Historical Medals went fabulously well. With the exception of two lots that carried reserves, the sell-through rate was 100% and the total hammer price was within 0.2% of the catalogue estimate. Of course, like any auction there were a few bargains to be had and a few of the lots went for extremely strong prices. The sale of the Treaty 6 medal for $58,000 hammer to a phone bidder was incredibly exciting. Personally, it was a career highlight to have been involved in the cataloguing and sale of this collection, and it was a tremendous success for the consignor, auctioneer, and all of those lucky enough to walk away with something for their collections.

     Dealer set-up began at 7:30am on Friday. I got to the bourse floor around 8:30am. Set-up was quick and easy, giving me a chance to walk the floor and pick up a few new pieces for my inventory. Doors opened to the public at 10:00am. There was considerable floor activity through early afternoon, after which things died down. Friday’s sales were steady and exceeded expectations. We closed up at 5:00pm and I headed back to the hotel for a brief respite before meeting up for dinner with an old friend (I highly recommend Sushi on Gerard next time you’re in Toronto’s east end).

     Saturday was slower than Friday from the get-go. There were fewer people walking the floor, and from what I gathered from other dealers, fewer deals being done. After three intense days and with a four and a half hour drive ahead of me, I was just about done by 2:00pm, though I did stick around until the close of the show at 4:00pm. The drive back up the 401 listening to the Ezra Klein Show went by quickly, and I was happy to get back home soon after sunset.

From left: Jacob Lipson, Geoffrey Bell, Michael Joffre, Brian Bell, and Dawn Bell before the sale of the Michael Joffre Collection of Historical Medals. April 28, 2022.

It's Been Too Long - A February 2022 Update

It’s been more than six months since my last blog post. Too long, no doubt. There’s been a lot going on behind the scenes despite an apparent lack of activity on this site. Let me just say that the downside to trying to maintain an inventory of interesting, attractive material is that it can be hard to come by, especially given the current numismatic climate with few shows. The time to photograph, describe, and post that material can be just as elusive. That said, the search and the work continues. If you have been thinking of selling, send me an email or give me a call. I am always looking to buy and am paying strong prices. 

Some of you reading this may be aware of my involvement in the cataloguing and sale of the Michael Joffre Collection of Canadian Historical Medals, scheduled for auction as part of Geoffrey Bell Auctions’ Toronto Coin Expo sale on April 28th. I spent three weeks last fall working with Mike’s collection in Montreal and many, many hours back in Ottawa preparing the catalogue along with Mike, Dawn, Brian, Geoff, and Mary-Anne. We are all delighted with the outcome and look forward to the sale. The auction catalogue can be viewed here. You can order your hardcopy by contacting Geoffrey Bell Auctions.

I want to take some time now to talk about the state of organized numismatics in Canada. Participation in local coin clubs has been an important part of my involvement in the hobby, beginning with the Lakeshore Coin Club, followed by the Montreal Numismatic Society, and now with the Ottawa Numismatic Society. These local clubs give hobbyists the opportunity to meet fellow collectors, discuss new developments, and learn about a wide array of topics. They are important, and I encourage those who have access to a local club to participate.

We also have in this country a national numismatic organization, The Royal Canadian Numismatic Association. In the 21st century, it should serve to provide its members with online learning courses, mentorship opportunities, and presentations from collectors, researchers, and dealers. It should aim to educate and to unite collectors across the country, and to engage collectors of Canadian numismatic material around the world. 

During the past month, a letter was sent to the RCNA Board of Directors on behalf of a group of advanced Canadian numismatists. The letter suggested that the Association should modernize, and that it should do so quickly to shore up its financial situation and stem an ongoing decline in its membership. Part of that modernization process includes reforming the CN Journal, rebuilding the website, developing online programming, and engaging in member outreach, incluant nos communautés francophones. It also includes its members getting involved.

If you are a member of the RCNA and agree with any of these points, please reach out to your area director or any other representative of the Association. Contact information (not updated, but still useful) can be found here.

As always, I appreciate your ongoing support and interest.

Jacob

An August Update

It’s been more than three months since I last posted, which, I admit, is too long. I could blame it on a busy cataloging season with the ANA’s World’s Fair of Money coming up or on a newfound ability to see friends and family within reason two weeks after my second vaccination. I could say the weather has been nice and that I have been taking advantage by hitting the links at every opportunity. And, hey, I was on vacation for a week! But there are no excuses at JLRC.

Good news is that I was able to set up at a show for the first time since November 2019. The Ottawa Westboro Coin Show, which is slated to be a monthly event (next show is September 12), hosted 10 dealers at a local legion on July 24. Doors opened slightly before 9am. A line had been forming for 20 minutes or so, which was nice to see, and there was a steady stream of collectors coming in and out until things died down around 2pm. Most dealers brought Canadian decimal and paper money. Coins were generally raw, but there were scattered higher end pieces. More attendees were under the age of, say, 40 than expected, representing a good mix of collecting areas from those I spoke with. It was great seeing some friends for the first time in a long time, and always interesting meeting new people. Mask wearing and distancing compliance were generally excellent.

On the NEWPS front, I have purchased a couple of really neat collections since we last spoke. One consisted exclusively of Canadian medals and the other was an incredible accumulation of Canadian military and militia buttons, a few dating to the Revolutionary War and War of 1812. Buttons aren’t something I usually buy, but this was too cool to pass up. And they’re round and struck. The Partrick sales have also provided an opportunity to pick up some fantastic Canadian tokens.

Finally, I need to give a shoutout to Wayne Homren and the E-Sylum. Every week, Wayne puts out the greatest newsletter in numismatics — for free. Currently, there are more than 6,600 subscribers from around the world. If you haven’t already, please add your name to the list by emailing whomren@gmail.com. Or, if you prefer, let me know if you want to sign up and I can pass the message along.

125th Anniversary of the Antiquarian and Numismatic Society of Montreal Medals Available

Medals Commemorating the 125th Anniversary of the Antiquarian and Numismatic Society of Montreal Available Through Jacob Lipson Rare Coins

Jacob Lipson has recently acquired a group of medals produced to commemorate the 125th anniversary of the founding of the Montreal Antiquarian and Numismatic Society. A strictly limited number of medals in silver and a small quantity in bronze are available through jacoblipsonrarecoins.com.

History

     Adelard J. Boucher, Stanley C. Bagg, Joseph A. Manseau, and 17 additional charter members founded what was originally the Société Numismatique de Montreal on December 9, 1862 — the first numismatic organization in Canada and one of the first in North America. Four years later, the Society incorporated archaeological studies as part of its mandate and changed its name to the Antiquarian and Numismatic Society of Montreal. It also adopted a new seal at that time, featuring a crossed tomahawk and calumet with a Roman lamp above, a Greek coin left, the obverse of a Canadian cent right, and a beaver below.

     The Society established a house organ, the Canadian Antiquarian and Numismatic Journal, in 1872. The first series ran through 1886. Publication resumed in 1889 and continued through 1894 (second series). The third series was published from 1897 to 1916, and the fourth from 1930 to 1933. To this day, the articles published by the Society remain the high-water mark for numismatic research in this country.

     The year 1895 saw the Antiquarian and Numismatic Society of Montreal take up residence at the Chateau Ramezay, an 18th century residence built in 1705 for Montreal’s 11th governor, Claude de Ramezay, saving it from demolition. The Society established a Museum of Canadian History at the Chateau, part of which included an extensive numismatic collection formed in large part through the acquisition of the collection of Robert W. McLachlan.

     Today, the Chateau Ramezay continues to serve as Québec’s oldest private history museum, dedicated to preserving and highlighting the history of Montreal and the Province of Québec through artifacts and exhibits. In 2010, UNESCO named the Chateau Ramezay among the “1001 Historic Sites You Must See Before You Die,” one of only 14 Canadian sites to make the list.

The Medals

The medals were struck by C. Lamond et Fils in 1987 to commemorate the 125th anniversary of the Antiquarian and Numismatic Society of Montreal. The obverse showcases three fleur de lys at centre with a latin legend around: ARCHEOLOGICAE ET NUMISMATICAE MARIANOPOLITANAE SOCIETATIS. The medal is doubled-dated with Roman numerals. The reverse features the coat of arms of Claude de Ramezay with CLAUDE DE RAMEZAY below.     

     Sharp-eyed collectors will notice, however, that the numeral intended to represent of the year the Society was founded, 1862, is actually recorded in error as MCXXXLXII rather than MDCCCLXII. Only a handful of medals were sold before the mistake was noticed and distribution ceased.

     Medals are available in silver and bronze. Each features an antique finish and measures 70mm in diameter and 4mm in thickness. Silver medals are struck in 999 pure silver (5.11 Troy ounces) and are numbered on the edge. Both silver and bronze medals are cased in blue and burgundy velvet boxes, respectively.

Happy New Year!

Welcome to 2021!

The new year is off to a rocking start, numismatically, with the conclusion of Heritage’s 2021 FUN Signature U.S. Coin auctions realizing nearly $62 million dollars. The headliner was the finest known Brasher doubloon, which brought $9.36 million USD — a record for any gold coin at auction. That lot was followed by the spectacular 1804 Plain 4 proof ten dollar gold piece, which was struck as a diplomatic presentation coin for the Sultan of Muscat. It brought $5.28 million USD. Although I did not catalogue those coins specifically (credit to Heritage Numismatist David Stone), it has been one of the great pleasures of my career thus far to work with the other spectacular offerings in the Partrick and Simpson collections (so many incredible patterns!). There’s a lot more to come, so stay tuned.

     Speaking of Partrick coins, the sale of the Donald G. Partrick Collection of Countermarks was held on January 3 and brought in excess of $250,000. There were some fantastic rarities being offered, like the 1850 Moffat five dollar countermarked by W.W. Light, a San Francisco dentist. The sale included a number neat Canadian pieces, some of which I will be offering over the course of the days and weeks. One of the few stand-alone Canadian lots was an 1856 Nova Scotia penny marked by J.J. Veldon, a 19th century Quebec City pharmacist.

     Countermarks are undeniably underrated and underappreciated. If part of what makes coins so interesting are the stories they tell, then countermarks have it all. In the case of the Veldon mark, we know exactly whose hands the coin passed through, when he was born, where he lived, and what he did for a living. It’s fantastic. And, it’s rare. Only a handful, three or four pieces are confirmed, and even if a few more than that exist, these are still extremely difficult to come by. On top of that, any coin or token associated with the Partrick Collection is a piece of numismatic history. You get a fresh-to-market rarity with a great provenance from one of the most significant sets ever put together. What’s not to like?

     As always, I am looking for new material. Without being able to attend shows or meet with clients, maintaining an inventory of anything other than common “stuff” is not easy. If you want to take advantage of the significant momentum in the market right now, give me a call, send and email, we can talk about your collection.

Finest Known Brasher Doubloon, which realized $9.36 million USD. Photo courtesy Heritage Auctions.

J.J. Veldon Countermark from the Don Partrick Collection.

Original collector ticket from the Don Partrick Collection.

Nearly Done With 2020

This is my first update in some time. The past few months, like the spring and summer, have been extraordinarily busy. The market for numismatic material is exceptionally strong, and my role as cataloguer for Heritage Auctions has kept me more than fully occupied. Unfortunately, that comes at the expense of Jacob Lipson Rare Coins. 

The Bob R. Simpson Collection has taken up most of my time. I have been hard a work cataloguing the single finest and most complete collection of patterns ever assembled. That’s no exaggeration. It has been an absolute treat. Part I and II of the Simpson Collection alone have already realized in excess of $23 million with plenty more to come. I have also had the pleasure of cataloguing Don Partick’s Connecticut Copper collection, arguably the finest of its kind. Again, an honour and a delight to handle. It’s been an unparalleled learning opportunity and a highlight of my career.

     As I am sure most of you well know, the lack of coin shows has led to a boom in auction prices realized, putting collectors up against dealers for anything new or interesting. People are sitting at home, bored, with money to burn and collections to add build upon. I can’t stress it enough — if you have material and you are thinking about selling, there’s hardly been a better time in the last five years to offer it up, and if the last nine months have taught us anything, it’s that online is the way to go. If you would like to consign to JLRC and take advantage of our photography, descriptions, and personalized service, please reach out. Consignments and items for outright sale are always wanted.

     With that, I hope to share some new material over the coming weeks, particularly toward the end of the month and into the new year, so check back regularly. I wish everyone reading this a happy, and even more importantly, a healthy holiday season. Please do wear your masks and minimize person-to-person contact. The sooner this is over, the better for everyone.

Cheers!

Jacob

Photos courtesy of Heritage Auctions (HA.com)

An update to JLRC customers

An update to 
JLRC customers

Those of you who check Jacob Lipson Rare Coins on a regular basis will have noticed a shortage of new material posted over the last few months. I know that’s frustrating. My sincere apologies.

Ongoing Projects

As a U.S. Coin Cataloger for Heritage Auctions, I have been absolutely swamped preparing for what will certainly be a phenomenal ANA sale, despite the cancellation of the convention. Nearly all of my time from March through June has been dedicated to writing lots at the expense of this site. Come July, things should be relatively settled. So look out.

On a more personal note, Ariel and I have purchased our first house. We closed in May and we move in a handful of days. We are very much looking forward to being settled, but it the meantime our lives are in a bit of disarray. Anything not move-related has taken a backseat.

Jacob Lipson Rare Coins Remains Active

It may not look like it, but JLRC remains active. There are some fantastic Governor General medals, engraved tokens, encased pennies, scorecards, and more waiting to be posted. We even have keys to the city of Cleveland and Baltimore. New stock includes:

• The John E. Read Medal presented to former Canadian Ambassador the United States, Marcel Cadieux, in 1981. Read more about the medal here.

• Jules Leger Governor General Medal in 10k Gold. Clowery-122P. Only 157 Issued.

• A group of beautifully engraved mid-18th to 19th century tokens.

• Art Deco plaque by Raymond Delamarre commemorating Maréchal Lyautey for the 1931 Exposition Coloniale in Paris.

• Plus lots more! Photos and information available upon request.

It has always been my philosophy that these coins, medals, and tokens deserve proper photography and descriptions. That takes a certain amount of time, and time has been is short supply. However, if you are looking for something in particular, or if anything currently posted or waiting to be posted interests you, please reach out. JLRC is still filling orders and working on wish lists.

We’re here for you!

Have a question or concern? Call or email us.

JLRC News -- May 2020

Hi All,

It has been nearly two months since my last post. The last eight weeks have felt like an eternity, as I am sure they have felt for you. We are living in very strange times, and I am not going to dwell on it any more than I need to.

Numismatically, I know we are all disappointed to have the RCNA Convention cancelled. It was a necessary step, but that does not make it any easier to digest. It’s one less opportunity to get together, talk, trade, buy, and sell. What we have to do is focus on online forums and other digital platform where collectors can engage. I think this is a terrific opportunity for the RCNA to invest in a new way of doing business.

On a personal note, although it may not look like it based on the website, I have been extraordinarily busy. As a U.S. Coin Cataloguer for Heritage Auctions, my days are absolutely jammed packed getting ready for upcoming sales. So, my attention has been somewhat diverted away from sourcing and listing new material for JRLC. Nevertheless, there are some terrific new pieces up, including an underappreciated example of Leroux-830 in silver, an Upper Canada Preserved medal, and a phenomenal 1932 Lake Placid Winter Olympics participation medal. These are three heavy hitters — scarce, beautifully made, and they tell fantastic stories.

Here’s the thing: It can be really difficult to source new and interesting material in this environment. But rest assured that I will continue working to provide loyal JLRC clients with access to high-quality coins and medals. And with that said, if you are looking to raise funds or liquidate something you think may be of interest, do not hesitate to get in touch.

Stay healthy!

Jacob

March 2020 Update

I began my February JLRC update by saying, “so far the year is off to a terrific start.” Well, things have taken quite the turn. Like all of you, I am stuck at home watching the news and self-isolating as much as possible.

I would urge everyone to listen to public health officials. Stay home. The goal here is to prevent the spread of the virus, keep the vulnerable healthy, and ensure those stocking grocery shelves, filling prescriptions, and looking after patients can do their jobs safely and effectively. It’s not a big ask. Just stay home as much as possible. We will get through it.

Coin shows and clubs are being cancelled left and right. I expect the trend to continue through the summer. It’s not a fun situation, but there is an opportunity here. Hobbies like ours are critical to getting through times likes these. Major auctions are still running and eBay is still up. Numismatic websites are here to serve collectors as physical storefronts are being mandated to close. Provided shipping services do not shut down entirely, collectors can still work on building their sets.

Nobody is immune to the fallout, but JLRC remains well-positioned to continue offering quality coins, medals, and tokens. By providing top-quality numismatic photography and honest, accurate descriptions, my goal is to make online purchasing decisions as easy and enjoyable as possible. My phone is on, I still check my email, and I don’t plan on going anywhere anytime soon (except the grocery store). If you have a question or just want to talk about something, feel free to do so. Seriously.

As we physically distance ourselves from one another, let’s not forget that we are all doing this together. I have been on the phone with friends and fellow collectors talking coins and medals, strategies for avoiding apocalyptic anxiety, and even reminiscing about travel. Take this time to do the same.

Best of luck to everyone involved in this wonderful hobby of ours. Stay safe, stay healthy (mentally and physically), and enjoy the time at home as much as you can.

Jacob

Don’t forget to keep 6 feet away from other people when possible!

JLRC Is Off To A Great Year!

2020 is in full swing, and so far the year is off to a terrific start (minus Kobe Bryant, RIP). In late 2019 JLRC resumed its eBay presence after a one-year hiatus, and there has been a flurry of activity for the kinds of coins and exonumia we specialize in. Similarly, jacoblipsonrarecoins.com has seen steady growth in the number of unique visitors. The nature of this site is somewhat specialized, so positive recommendations to friends and fellow collectors are greatly appreciated. And, if you see something you’re interested in, please do reach out.

I will be the first to admit that there has been a dearth of new material posted recently. November and December were extremely busy months for Heritage Auctions, and us cataloguers were working around the clock for weeks getting ready for the FUN show sale, which ultimately realized $42 million USD. That takes up a lot of time and energy. But now JLRC is back putting time and energy into this site and into finding what our clients are looking for. If there is something in particular you are looking to add to your collection, let me know and we can work on finding that special piece through our extensive network and dealer and collector contacts.

NEWPS! Who doesn’t like new purchases? Nobody. In other words, everybody likes new purchases, and we have a slew of them. Chief among our recent buys is a fantastic Montreal British Milita token. This is one of those pieces that appears in every edition of the Charlton guide, but go try and find one on the bourse floor. You won’t find one. They come up from time to time in auctions, but they are pretty darn scarce. I spoke with one dealer recently who hadn’t seen one in 15 years. I have not handled one in the ten years I have been doing this, and as a (former) Montrealer am delighted to finally pick one up. Other new additions include a neat Beaver Preserve token struck for the Hudson Bay Company’s Rupert’s Post c.1939 as part of a quota system put in place to grow the dwindling beaver population. JLRC has added other medals, tokens, and coins to its Inventory Page, so check it out. Make sure to keep up to date by adding JLRC to your bookmarks or favourite pages.

December Update

It’s been a while since anything has been updated. That applies to blog posts and new inventory additions. Sorry. The last couple of months have been extremely busy with Nuphilex in November, and cataloguing for the FUN show during the last half of November/ first half of December. The January FUN show always means having to put the blinders on for a solid month to process some monster coins (there’s a 1927-D double eagle coming up for sale…). With that all settled down, I should be able to finally get a handle on a couple of the collections that I have picked up over the past couple of months. There are a few hundred tokens and medals to process, so stay tuned.

Don’t forget, if you are looking for something for your collection, reach out. You know what, reach out even if you don’t need anything. Just say hi. We don’t bite.

Fall Season

Heading into November, I thought it was time to recap some of the goings-on over the past few months. JLRC has seen some great pieces recently, many of which failed to make it to the website. One that comes to mind is a spectacular 1837 Habitant penny in Choice Uncirculated condition, glossy brown with glowing red luster around the borders. That coins didn’t even have time to be properly imaged before it was out the door. We have also had some important medals, including a gold Saint John Public Grammar school medal, an 1829 Douglas medal in silver, and a few other wonderful pieces. There is no question the market for genuinely rare, high-grade, and eye-appealing coins, tokens, and medals is strong. If there’s anything in particular you are looking to add to your collection, or if you have something you would like to sell, please email me.

I attended the fall Coin Expo show and picked up a couple more nice additions, including one of the better Montreal and Lachine Railroad Company tokens I have seen. It is absolutely one of the most popular designs in the Canadian token series, and for good reason. There’s just something wonderful about it — the large, holed planchet, the old-time train, the gnawing beaver, and the story behind it. It is definitely a favourite of mine

September also saw the first part of Champagne Auctions’ Seminary of Sherbrooke sale, which included a number of fantastic Indian Chief medals, currency and scrip, and Canadian and American decimal coinage. Prices were strong across the board, particularly for the first 15 lots, but we did manage to pick up a few nice American Large cents, a few of which have recently been posted.

Mr. and Mrs. Jacob Lipson Rare Coins spent two weeks in October in France, with one week in Paris and the second week in the Dordogne region, enjoying wine, cheese, and magnificent scenery.

The next two or three weeks promise to be busy ones, with a few big-time auctions coming up, as well as Nuphilex in Montreal. Yours truly will be set up there, so please do stop by to say hello.

Until next time,

Jacob

Welcome to JLRC!

Fellow Collectors,

Welcome to JLRC — a site that offers an unparalleled online numismatic experience, specializing in Canadian and United States coins, medals, and tokens.

Jacob Lipson Rare Coins has been a long time in the making. I began my numismatic career dealing coins in shop in Montreal. Five years ago I moved on to working with Heritage Auctions as a U.S. Coin Cataloger. Over the past 10 years, I have bought and sold lots of coins, handled major rarities, but, most importantly, learned a lot and met many fantastic people.

Establishing JLRC is a natural progression for me, the culmination of years spent dealing in a variety of areas and with collectors across both ends of the market. It also fills a void that exists in the Canadian numismatic marketplace by providing an unparalleled online experience. That experience involves high-quality images and informative descriptions that touch on the history, design, production, and availability of each offering, whether it is a circulated Seated Liberty quarter, a rare historical medal, or a condition census-quality token.

Rather than focusing exclusively on Canadian or American decimal coins, which we do offer, JLRC also provides a wide offering of more scarcely encountered historical medals. They include Betts and Leroux medals, agricultural awards, Governor General medals, school medals, and other esoteric pieces like this National War Finance Committee medal.

My hope is that collectors turn to Jacob Lipson Rare Coins as informative and engaging site where great pieces are available. The ways the market operates is changing. Collectors deserve a modern way to research, purchase, and enjoy a carefully curated selection of coins and medals from the comfort of their homes.

Thank you for your patronage, and please make sure to visit jacoblipsonrarecoins.com for regular updates.

Jacob

Welcome!