Learn More About Our Annual Conventions

2010 RCNA Convention in Saint John Next

2009 RCNA Convention in Edmonton Recent
Program | Bourse
Pictures: Award Winners | CPMS Luncheon | Symposium

2004 C.N.A. Convention in Toronto
Dealers | Educational | Medal | Program
Pictures: Award Winners | Convention

2003 C.N.A. Convention in Windsor

.: Conventions

Overview

Activities for Collectors of All Ages and Numismatic Material

The highlight of the Canadian numismatic year is the RCNA Annual Convention. Since 1954 it has been held yearly in various cities across Canada. The RCNA Annual Convention is Canada's oldest numismatic event offering collectors an opportunity to meet and develop life long friendships and share numismatic knowledge. A large and diverse inventory of coins, tokens, medals, banknotes and numismatic literature is available on the bourse floor from Canadian and American dealers. An auction at every Convention provides collectors an opportunity to build their collection and a basis for determining current values of all types of numismatic material. Educational forums are presented during the course of the convention that feature original presentations on a variety of numismatic topics.

At the RCNA Convention, other numismatic organizations hold their annual meetings or conduct educational programs. These have included the Canadian Numismatic Research Society, the Canadian Paper Money Society, the Canadian Association of Token Collectors, the Canadian Association of Wooden Money Collectors, the Love Token Society, the Canadian Tire Coupon Collectors Club, the Classical and Medieval Numismatic Society and others. Delegates from coin clubs across Canada meet and exchange views on common problems to help the hobby and the collector. Members of the RCNA exhibit items from their collections in competition for display awards thus sharing their knowledge with everyone. As well, institutions such as the Royal Canadian Mint and the Bank of Canada also set up non-competitive exhibits for the enjoyment of show visitors.

The Convention is also the setting of the annual general membership meeting where motions are discussed and voted on, various committee reports are presented and the annual financial report is tabled. A banquet and the pre-Banquet reception gives members and non-members another opportunity to mingle, enjoy a full-course meal, listen to a speaker and find out first-hand who the recipients of Canada’s major numismatic awards are. Tours are also offered.

Registration Kits contain a souvenir convention medal. The hospitality suite for registrants and bourse dealers is a great place to throw up your feet and enjoy a complimentary coffee and snacks. Admission to the convention is available by various means. If you are planning to attend the Convention and participate in a number of activities, you might wish to register. Registration includes admission to the bourse for the full duration of the show, unlimited number of visits to the hospitality suite, a special souvenir medal struck to commemorate the convention, a special reception hosted by the Royal Canadian Mint, a souvenir booklet containing the Program of Events and lots more. Spousal registrations are also available and include the same contents as the main registration kit along with a number of collectible catalogues but not including the souvenir medal. Young Numismatist Kits are also available with special contents at a drastically reduced price. Or you might just wish to come on a daily basis by paying a nominal daily admission price.

You do not have to decide in advance to register, although we recommend you do so to ensure that we are not sold out of kits or souvenir medals. The registration form includes the option of purchasing tickets to the Banquet and the Club Delegates Breakfast meeting, as well as the convention souvenir medal in .999 fine silver.

Once you attend a RCNA Convention and join in the activities, you will want to attend year after year.

AUCTION

Each year, The Canadian Numismatic Association appoints an official auction house to conduct an auction at the annual RCNA Convention. Mail bids are accepted prior to the Convention, with floor bidding taking place at the various sessions during the Convention. Viewing of the auction material takes place during the convention up to the start of each auction session.

AWARDS

A number of prestigious awards will be presented at various functions at the Convention. These include:

J. Douglas Ferguson Award

The J. Douglas Ferguson Award was established in 1969 and sponsored by Mr. Ferguson who, at the time, was Honorary President of the C.N.A. This annual award is presented to the living numismatist who has made the greatest contribution during the year to the advancement of numismatics in Canada by research, writing, publishing, or other means -- and who has not previously won the award. Mr. Ferguson set up an independent Board of Award with C.N.A. representation for the award administration. He made the selections for the 1969 and 1970 winners and determined that the board would choose the future winners from nominations made by C.N.A. members. Each year’s winner for this separately sponsored award is announced during that RCNA Convention. An award comes with a citation and the medal.

Paul Fiocca Award

The Paul Fiocca Award was established in 2008 and is funded by donations from Trajan Publishing Corporation and others that were his friends. The Paul Fiocca Award is the highest distinction presented by The Royal Canadian Numismatic Association, and the second highest award in Canadian Numismatics. The award is presented annually for “Long term meritorious service or major contributions to the RCNA” and is an award not just to recognize the elite of the hobby, but any individual who may have worked behind the scenes, often for many decades, for the betterment of the Association. The President of the Association presents the Paul Fiocca Award at each year’s annual RCNA convention to a Royal Canadian Numismatic Association (RCNA) member.

Sheldon Carroll “Best of Show” Award

Each year the exhibits at the RCNA convention are judged by a panel of volunteers assembled by Tim Henderson, Chairman RCNA Awards & Medals Committee. One exhibit is awarded the prestigious designation Sheldon Carroll "Best of Show."

Guy Potter Literary Award

The Guy Potter Literary Award was established when the original C.N.A. Literary Award was renamed in 1978 to honour the memory of Guy R.L. Potter, one of the founders of the Canadian Numismatic Association. Mr. Potter served as Secretary and Bulletin Editor of the association from its beginning in 1950 until 1953 and as the third President of the C.N.A. from 1955 – 1956.

The Guy Potter Literary Award is given annually for the article chosen by the committee as the best original contribution, in that year, to the Canadian Numismatic Journal. The selection is judged on the basis of literary style, numismatic worth, originality and general interest. An engraved plaque is given to the author of the winning article.

Jerome H. Remick III Literary Award

The Jerome H. Remick III Literary Award was established in 1995 and its sponsorship continues through a bequest by Mr. Remick who was an active member of the C.N.A. and a well-known author of numismatic articles. This award is given annually to the author of the best numismatic article published in a local Canadian coin club newsletter during the previous calendar year. The award process is administered by the RCNA and the nominations made by members are submitted to a panel of RCNA officials for judging. The award is an inscribed bronze medal, which is presented to the winning author during the RCNA Convention.

Local & Regional/National Newsletter Awards

Every year the RCNA recognizes the efforts of member clubs and associations. An award is given for the best newsletter published by a local coin club and also for the best newsletter published by a regional or national association. To participate to the selection, clubs must send samples of their newsletter to the RCNA Club Services Chairman.

Louise Graham Memorial Club of the Year Award

The Louise Graham Memorial Club of the Year Award was established in 1986 to honour the memory of this member who was the C.N.A. General Secretary from 1954 until her retirement in 1971. The award is offered annually to C.N.A. member clubs entering a competition to acknowledge the club having made the most significant overall achievement on behalf of its members and of the hobby. Clubs entering this competition provide reports of their activities during the previous calendar year. These are judged on the basis of topics at meetings, originality of initiatives, educational and numismatic promotions, coin shows and consistency of meetings. A panel of judges announces its decision at the following annual C.N.A. Convention.

“Fellow of the RCNA” Award

In 1990, the Executive Committee of the C.N.A established a member service award: Fellow – Canadian Numismatic Association. To be recognized for this award a member of The Canadian Numismatic Association must have performed a worthy service judged to be of a direct benefit to the association. The Awards and Medals Committee chooses the recipients from nominations made by members. The committee then presents its choices, up to 5 each year, at the annual convention. An award of: Fellow of The Royal Canadian Numismatic Association authorizes use of the letters, F.R.C.N.A. to follow the recipient’s name. The first awards were made at the 1991 C.N.A. Convention in Toronto, Ontario.

President’s Awards

It is the C.N.A. President's prerogative to recognize supporters, whether individuals or corporations, for outstanding support of the Association. The special President's Awards consist of a special wall plaque or a uniface Convention medal, suitably engraved for the occasion. To give the presentation a large audience, they are presented either at the annual general membership meeting or at the Banquet, befitting the special occasion of the event. As is usually the case with all awards presented at the convention, the President’s Awards are not announced in advance.

James E. Charlton Junior Award

The James E. Charlton Junior Award was established in 1969 as an annual presentation for the best exhibit of Canadian coins displayed by a Junior (ages 16 and 17) member at the C.N.A. Convention. As a great believer in the importance of encouraging young people to take an interest in our hobby Mr. Charltons created an award to acknowledge excellance in exhibits. The C.N.A. Executive named the award in his honour and to acknowledge his generous financial support toward this award. When the award was established a large trophy was purchased with individual plaques located at the base to record the nemaes of the recipients. This trophy was presented to the winning junior exhibitor during the Convention awards ceremonies. The recipient would return the trophy the following year. As a convenience to recipients this practive has been replaced with an award of an individual plaque that the winner can keep.

Jean Bullen Award

The Jean Bullen Award was established in 2004 as an annual presentation for the best exhibit of Canadian coins displayed by a member at the C.N.A. Convention. At her passing, Jean Bullen made a financial bequest to provide an award for the category she had favoured most - one in which her outstanding Canadian collection frequently took 1st place, and often advanced to win “Best of Show”. The C.N.A. Executive named the award in memory of Jean Bullen and to acknowledge her generous bequest. The prize is a portrait style silver medal, which is presented to the winning exhibitor during the Convention banquet.

Official Convention Medals

Each year, The Canadian Numismatic Association strikes a limited quantity of official souvenir medals commemorating the annual convention. Struck in small quantities to assure they remain a very worthy collectible, they contain the official C.N.A. crest on the obverse, while the reverse features appropriate convention information.

The annual Convention medal, struck on copper blanks, may be obtained as part of the convention registration kit. It may also be obtained on a first come, first served basis once attendees’ orders have been filled, via mail order in either silver (.999 fine) or copper metal. Details on availability and pricing will be published when the information becomes available. Details on ordering through the Internet will also be made available when pricing has been established. Medals may be ordered for pick-up at the Convention (either as part of the registration kit or ordered separately) or shipped out following the conclusion of the Convention for a small additional shipping fee.

Past Canadian Numismatic Association Annual Conventions

All images shown below are copyrighted by, and courtesy of, The Charlton Press
For more information on Convention Medals of The Canadian Numismatic Association please refer to:
Canadian Association Medals - Volume Two.
Author: William K. Cross, Editor: Jean Dale. Available from The Charlton Press.

click on an image for a larger view

Year Location
1954 Toronto
(left to right above) No R above Toronto, with an R above Toronto. click on an image for a larger view