” Blackbirds tend to like Shiny Things” ~ The Bloody Raven
Resuming my #piratesunday post brings me to my favorite circulation Canadian Silver Dollar. I admit having at least four of these with a fifth one I gave away to a young man in Scotland. This was my original consideration for my YouTube avatar coin going back some years ago but I decided on the Raven.
Though not truly an Investment kind of coin I continue to look for opportunities to pick more of them up if the price is right, not much more than a buck or two above melt value but these have been consistently selling on Ebay and at my local coin show for well above that. So why?
The Coin
1Apparently, it is the favorite among most Canadian collectors as this 1949 dollar's reverse has been a big hit since the year of it’s issue. Commemoratives have been traditionally often popular in the past, and with this 1949 coin design’s dramatic departure from the regular iconic Voyager Reverse, many of these coins were kept out of circulation and in marvelous condition.
The Artist
And though coin designs were first made in full size plaster versions then are copied down to dies via Pantograph machine, the Royal Canadian Mint's Master Engraver Thomas Shingles created his coin art by hand carving the actual press dies, an amazing talent.
RCMThomas Shingles was the Canadian Royal Mint’s Master Engraver from 1943 to 1965 credited in creating the designs for;
- 1949 Newfoundland Commemorative, ‘The Matthew’.
- 1943 V Nickle variant.
- 1959 to 1964 Coat of Arms on the Canada 50 Cents
- 1971 Commemorative British Columbia Dollar submitted as a freelance artist.
1 And with his deep knowledge of minting and amazing skill as a Master Engraver Mr. Shingles enjoys his personal past time of collecting stamps. Really!
PSix months ago I wrote my article: Mystery of the Hudson’s Bay Company Silver Medal featuring the English exploration Ketch, 'The Nonsuch'. In celebrating their 300th year anniversary, The Hudson’s Bay Company ordered a full sized replica built by J. Hinks and Son shipyard, in Appledore, England.
For 1997, to commemorate John Cabot’s 1497 discovery of America and mark the 500 year anniversary of the event, a replica Caravel of the Matthew was built by Storms'l Services of Bristol (Bristol Classic Boat Company), of England in 1996. Following her tour to Newfoundland and various ceremonial appearances she was given to The Matthew of Bristol Trust in 2012 where her current location is in Bristol’s M Shed Museum.
FFor more details: Wiki The Matthew Replica ship
1
PThat other Coin.
And that brings me to the other coin that many collectors don’t know about. A coin that I have be mulling about too long if it weren’t the huge premium on this baby. RCM, you guys are too cruel!
RCMThis is a bullion coin and classified as a Piedford, twice as thick than the original 1949 Newfoundland commemorative issued 70 years ago. This coin not only revisits and celebrates Newfoundland’s entry into Canadian Confederation but once again acknowledges the Legacy of it’s maker, Master Engraver Thomas Shingles.
RCM
RCM 
RCM I hope you enjoyed this very special feature
Thank you for stopping by my Blog today.
The #piratesunday tag is the scurvy scheme of Captain 
RReferences
“Et lux in tenebris to serve laboro, sum sicarius” “I work in the shadows to serve the Light, I am an Assassin”
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