“Black birds tend to like shiny and maybe a bit sparkly things” ~ The Bloody Raven
Every time I plan a trip to my favorite Local Coin Store (LCS) I keep a few objectives in mind; the primary objective is to acquire at least one sovereign minted silver bullion coin to add to my core stack as the ongoing part of my Stacking plan. Secondary objective; is to acquire a minimum of two dollars face value of junk silver in prepping for emergency commerce. And my tertiary objective is to indulge on a coin that lights my fire, something that expresses my collecting style or resonates with my cultural heritage which brings me to this gorgeous coin.
First, the Star Coin of this Post.
2009 Canada 8 Dollars Maple of Wisdom
As some of you may know that I have Chinese roots through my grandmothers side of the family tree so I have been exploring that aspect embracing those cultural roots in my collecting and stacking activities.
2008 saw the Royal Canadian Mint produced a plethora of Chinese dragon themed coins and this 2009 $8 coin seemed an after though for 2009. This coin was actually issued 2010. The big red Swarovski element crystal is the eye catcher dead center on the reverse requiring a High Relief capsule to accommodate the crystal. The hologram Maple is clutched by the dragon in place of a pearl as in the original myth. The pearl represents wisdom, a virtue of great value and guarded by the dragon, hence the Maple of Wisdom.
2009 Canada 8 Dollars Maple of Wisdom
Primary Objective, for my core Stack
Though I have grossly overpaid in the premium I had to chip away at my under-weighing of my US Silver component. I've only bought 2 coins out the shop's fresh Silver eagle stock.
2010 & 2011 USA One Dollar American Silver Eagle
Having long completed my Core goal I just tweak here and there. My core Stacking continues for extended family until wake up to reality, my distant US Cousins can thank me later.
Secondary objective, Emergency Commerce money
I expected to pickup 30 silver Bluenose dimes. The coin dealer was apologetic having sold off all his silver dimes as a consequence of the recent steep drop in silver price. What was left were some quarters and the dollars that had an extra $1 premium above other junk silver.
1965 & 1966 Canada Dollar Voyager left.
1960s Canada 25 Cents Caribou right.
Now with that objective out of the way, I am left with enough fiat cash to get the next numismatic piece of history.
The Bonus Silver Coin
Quite plain looking, but this little coin is a filler for an incomplete set of Newfoundland coins back in day, before 1949, when this province was an independent country. A coin set that my father has never completed in his collecting days. Just the basic Pre-confederation set rather than the whole 140 in total.
1888 Newfoundland 20 Cent
An interesting footnote is the economic and political turmoil caused by Newfoundland’s two major banks, the Commercial and Union Banks in 1894. With the Newfoundland government in debt, it was helpless in addressing the economic woes among the growing ranks of unemployed and business closures. The Bank directors were arrested on conspiracy and larceny charges, $1.2 million in banknotes became worthless. 6,000 people in the city of St. Johns alone were unemployed.
1888 Newfoundland 20 Cent
Private savings and business accounts saw big cuts in value. Even England could no longer extend credit to Newfoundland since it no longer had a stable currency and as expected Newfoundland defaulted on the interest payment on it’s public debt.
With relief coming in the form of Canadian chartered banks intervening, prudent capital financing, and following a good season of fishing and seal hunting the economic damage was on it’s way to restoration.
A result was that very little Newfoundland coinage flowed outside this coastal country as her citizens hoarded their silver and gold coinage. For the following decades most people had little trust in their paper currency.
Alas, my LCS visit has again emptied my wallet of fiat cash except for my parking change and so my post must come to a happy close.
If you had read this Collapse of the Newfoundland Commercial and Union Banks in 1894 link or any of other past bank failures, do you think that our banks have learned their lesson?
Thank you for coming aboard my post today.
Stacking Silver and Hive for that rainy day, are you?”
The #piratesunday tag is the scurvy scheme of Captain 
Other Related Canadiana Posts 🍁
1967 Centennial of Confederation silver coin set
2016 Canada $8 & 1958 Silver Dollar
2018 Canada $5 Lucky Dragon & 1949 Silver Dollar
2015 Canada $8, 2020 $10 & 1964 Silver dollar
2006 Cook Island $1 & 1935 Canada Silver Dollar
References
My own pictures shot with a Samsung SM-A530W
Sources
Heritage; Newfoundland & Labrador 1894 Bank Crash
Numista; 2009 Canada 8 Dollars Maple of Wisdom
Numista; 2010 & 2011 USA One Dollar American Silver Eagle
Numista; 1965 & 1966 Canada Dollar Voyager
Numista; 1960s Canada 25 Cent Caribou
Numista; 1888 Newfoundland 20 Cent
Pirate Hankys Background by ModHanks.com
Facebook; Skeleton Crew hanky background by Hub’s hanks.
Gift hankys & Sailing ship Cameo Pin from Nyssacat373, Thank you sweetheart! 💋
Are you ready for #hpud tomorrow?
