July/August 2011 - Ottawa Numismatic Society

Transcription

Also in this issue:
√
√
√
√
√
2-by-2 basics | Les rudiments des cartons
monétaires
The coins of the 1709 siege of Tournai Part 1
Canada Day at the Mint
Windsor RCNA convention
– 191
[July/August 2011]
and more...
is the official publication of the
Ottawa Coin Club.
It is published ten times a year and aims to
promote the hobby of coin collecting and the
science of numismatics throughout
the National Capital Region.
Submissions are welcomed. Please submit
text in Rich Text Format (.rtf) separately from
images. The images must be of high resolution (minimum 300 dpi) and should be in colour. The preferred file format for images
is jpeg (.jpg). Please consult the
publ i c a t i o n s t y l e g u i d e a t
< ottawacoinclub.com/style >
before submitting an article.
Les textes en français sont les bienvenus.
Editor:
Serge Pelletier
<[email protected]>
Assistant editors:
Tina Bartolini, Ron Cheek,
François Rufiange, Régent St-Hilaire,
Steve Woodland
Layout artist:
Serge Pelletier
Translators:
Léo Bernier, Serge Pelletier,
Steve Woodland
S
ummer is almost over. Some may have taken a respite from their numismatic
activities. Others didn’t, and attended this year’s convention of the Royal
Canadian Numismatic Association (RCNA), held in Windsor, Ontario, July
14-17. It was a very good convention and I was glad to see many of our members
there. To find out more, please read my recap in this issue.
Congratulations to the Edmonton Numismatic Society – and its editor, Roger
Grove – for winning the “Best Local Newsletter Award” of the RCNA. Those of
you that have taken advantage of our twinning program and are members of the
ENS know the quality level of The Planchet, its journal.
While we didn’t win in that category, the OCC was extremely well represented
by its members: Steve won the Guy Potter Literary Award for the best article
published in the Canadian Numismatic Journal; Ron won the Jérôme H.
Remick III Literary Award for the best article published in a local newsletter; he
also won first prize with his exhibit in the Canadian medal category; and yours
truly received an RCNA Presidential Award. Congratulations to all.
We have another great issue: François gives us some 2-by-2 basics, Ron tells
us about the uniqueness of the year 1911 in numismatics, and I offer you the first
part of my article on the coinage of 1709 siege of Tournai.
J’aimerais terminé en souhaitant la bienvenue à un autre membre de l’équipe
éditoriale, Léo Bernier, qui agira en qualité de traducteur de temps à autre.
Bienvenue Léo!
Serge
Copyright Notice
All information herein, including the design, style, and format, are the property of the Ottawa Coin
Club (OCC). All rights reserved. No part thereof may be reproduced in any form or medium,
electronic or otherwise, without the express written consent of the OCC. Members of the OCC are
entitled, as part of their membership privileges, to make one (1) printed copy of this issue and to
store one (1) copy in electronic format. Further distribution is strictly prohibited.
François
© Ottawa Coin Club, 2011
I
Image sour
ces for this issue (page/figur
e)
sources
(page/figure)
ISSN 1922-4885
On the cover...
In the “O” of moneta, the reverse of
the Canadian 2011-dated 15-dollar
“Maple of Happiness” coin.
Reverse of the 1911 1-cent coin and
“godless” reverse of the 25-cent coin
of the same year.
Bank of Canada [[www.bankofcanada.ca
www.bankofcanada.ca
]: 211/18, 217 | British RRoyal
oyal Mint [[www.r
www.r
oyalmint.com
]: 235 |
www.bankofcanada.ca]:
www.royalmint.com
oyalmint.com]:
www.coinar
chives.com
www.coinarchives.com
chives.com:: 219/3, 223/11, 223/12, 223/13, 223/14, 224/15, 224/16 |
Dominic Goode [[www.for
www.for
tified-places.com
]: 218/1 | François Rufiange: 194/1, 195/2, 195/3, 195/4, 195/5, 196/6 |
www.fortified-places.com
tified-places.com]:
Heritage Auctions [[www.ha.com
www.ha.com
]: cover, 205/6, 205/7, 206/9, 208/11, 208/12, 208/13, 208/14, 208/15,
www.ha.com]:
www.elsen.eu
]: 223/10, 225/17 | Library and Ar
chives Canada: 200/1,
209/16, 210/17, 221/8 | Jean Elsen & fils [[www.elsen.eu
www.elsen.eu]:
Archives
www.mint.ca
]: 228/5 |
201/2, 202/3, 203/4, 204/5 | Ron Cheek: 205/8, 207/10, 232/6 Royal Canadian Mint [[www.mint.ca
www.mint.ca]:
Ser
ge PPelletier:
elletier: 197/7, 197/8, 213/19, 214/20, 226, 227/2, 227/3, 228/4, 230/1, 231/3, 231/4, 231/5.
Serge
oodland: 231/2, 232/9, 233/12 |
232/7, 232/8, 233/10, 233/11, 233/13, 233/14 | Steve W
Woodland:
Wikipedia commons: 218/2, 219/4, 220/5, 220/6, 221/7, 222/9
This just in...
Dear Mr
oodland:
Mr.. W
Woodland:
I am pleased to inform you that the Ottawa Coin
Club's newsletter ""moneta
moneta
moneta"" has won first place
in the Local Club category of the American
Numismatic Association’s Outstanding Club
Publications contest.
Sincerely
Sincerely,,
Marilyn Reback
192 –
[July/August 2011]
TOURNAI – continued from page 225
guerre de succession de 1706-1709 et
1711, de Sicco van Goslinga. Leeuwarden:
G.T.N. Suringar.
Liskenne, Ce. and Sauvan (1854). “Extraits
de Feuquière : Défense de Tournai en
1709”, Bibliothèque historique et militaire,
Tome 4e. Paris: Administration [de
l’Armée]. pp. 779-789.
OTTAWA COIN CLUB
since 1946
S
ummer – that great time of year that brings us sunny days, vacations,
travel, and... the season of numismatic conventions. Along with our
illustrious editor and many other club members, I recently attended the
Royal Canadian Numismatic Association annual convention in Windsor, Ontario.
Congratulations go out to Serge on his election as the RCNA Director for Eastern
Ontario (where our club is located) and on his receipt of an RCNA President’s
Award for his significant contribution to the Association over the last two years
– Well done Serge! It was a great convention for the Ottawa Coin Club – several
members participated, two exhibited, four were recipients of awards and prizes,
and all had a great time. Read all about it in Serge’s report!
Lors de notre réunion du Club en juillet, nous avons essayé quelque chose de
nouveau – au lieu d’un invité et une présentation formelle, tous les membres
avaient été invités à apporter des articles numismatiques intéressants et à les
présenter en format de « séance de partage » (Show and Tell). Ceci a été un
grand succès et plusieurs membres ont participé : Serge (nouvel ensemble 19112011 de la MRC; Kim (Deutsches Notgeld); Sandy (coupons d’essence Pioneer);
Jaime (un rouleau de pièces états-uniennes de 1 dollar…certifié, une pièce évaluée
au grade de « Poor 2 », et plusieurs pièces avec erreurs); François (ensemble de
billets ougandais 2010 dont un a reçu le prix pour le « Billet de l’Année » (Bank
Note of the Year) de 2010; Terry (jeton d’Almonte, Ontario, au sujet de Dr James
Naismith, inventeur du basketball); et Steve (ensemble souvenir de la MRC émis
pour le congrès 2011 de l’ARNC).
Summer is also a great opportunity to take stock of where you wish to go in
the “hobby of kings.” Take the time to look at your collection. Is it properly
stored and documented? Is it adequately protected and insured? Examine your
collecting activities. Is it time to begin collecting something new? Is it time to
dispose of all or part of your collection? Are there any key “holes” that you
wish to fill? Think about how you can contribute to the hobby. Do you want to
get more involved in your local club? Do you want to introduce a junior to the
hobby? How about giving a talk or writing an article about your collecting
interests? Or creating a display? Look at attending more numismatic events next
year – conventions, shows, auctions, or educational seminars. Read more about
your area(s) of interest and tell others about what you learn. Make a donation to
the hobby – door prizes, items for auction, charitable gifts (e.g., to the Canadian
Association for Numismatic Education). Take a course to expand your numismatic
knowledge (correspondence, in-class, on-line) – the RCNA and the ANA have
some great opportunities. Whatever you decide, do something to ensure you
continue to enjoy our great hobby of numismatics.
À la prochaine!
Steve
P.S. – Our next meeting will be at the Heron Road location on Monday, August 22,
2011. Continuing with our summer programme, this will be another “Show and
Tell” meeting where members are to bring in interesting items and tell everyone
about them.
P.O. Box 42004, R.P.O. St. Laurent,
Ottawa, ON K1K 4L8
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.ottawacoinclub.com
The club meets every month, usually
on the fourth Monday. The meetings
begin at 7:30 p.m. in the Theatre
(on the 3rd floor) of the
Heron Road Multi-Service Centre,
1480 Heron Road, Ottawa.
Le club se réunit habituellement le
quatrième lundi de chaque mois.
La réunion ouvre à 19 h 30 dans le
théâtre (au 3e étage) du
Heron Road Multi-Service Centre,
1480 chemin Heron, Ottawa.
Annual dues: $12.00
Frais d’adhésion annuel : 12,00 $
Your Club Executive:
President:
Steve Woodland
<[email protected]>
Vice-President:
Serge Pelletier
<[email protected]>
Secretary:
vacant
<[email protected]>
Treasurer:
François Rufiange, FONA
<[email protected]>
Appointed Officers:
Webmaster:
Barry McIntyre, FONA
Privacy Officer:
Jaime Flamenbaum
<[email protected]>
[July/August 2011]
– 193
Les rudiments des
2-by-2 Basics
cartons monétaires
by François Rufiange
par François Rufiange
1. The two coins that motivated this article. | 1. Les pièces qui ont motivé cet article.
D
uring a recent visit to Universal Coins I looked
through a tray containing world coins in 2-by-2s. To
my complete surprise, I found two coins that really
got my attention because I never thought that someone could
so badly misuse a simple 2-by-2 (Fig. 1). These 2-by-2
holders are very popular with collectors because they are
affordable and can protect your coins well, when used
correctly. So, this short article will explain the basics of
their use.
A 2-by-2 is a two-inch square holder (when closed) for a
194 –
[July/August 2011]
C
’est lors d’une récente visite chez Universal Coins
que deux pièces dans un plateau ont attiré mon
attention (fig. 1). Mais pas nécessairement pour de
bonnes raisons. Ces pièces avaient été placées dans des
cartons monétaires de façon aléatoire. Je n’avais jamais
pensé que les cartons monétaires pouvaient être si mal
utilisés. Ces cartons sont très populaires auprès des
collectionneurs parce qu’ils sont abordables et qu’ils
protègent les pièces, enfin, quand ils sont utilisés
correctement. Ce court article vise donc à vous expliquer
2. Staples can become lethal for your coins if you do not have a good
stapler. 3. Another point of view of what a bad stapler can do. 4. Staples applied
by a regular stapler. 5. Staplers applied by a flat-clinch stapler.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------2. Les agrafes peuvent devenir extrêmement dangereuses pour vos pièces lorsque
vous n’avez pas une bonne agrafeuse. 3. Un autre point de vue qui montre ce
qu’une piètre agrafeuse peu faire. 4. Agrafes appliquées par une agrafeuse
normale. 5. Agrafes appliquées par une agrafeuse-aplatissoire.
single coin, usually made out of cardboard, with a circle cut
in the centre of it for the coin, and with a thin Mylar sheet
covering the inside to protect the coin and to hold it in place.
The 2-by-2 is considered a “standard” holder for coins, and
they are available in a variety of sizes so that the hole is
sized to fit the coin snugly. One simply places the coin
between the halves, folds over the cardboard, and then
staples it to hold it in place (Fig. 6).
Why do we even bother to protect our coins in 2-by-2s?
There are many reasons:
• To prevent further wear and tear caused by circulation
les rudiments des cartons monétaires.
Un carton monétaire est un cadre de carton, ou de matière
plastique, mesurant environ 5 × 5 cm (2 × 2 pouces), lorsque
replié. Il y a un trou au centre pour y placer la pièce. La
pièce y est scellée grâce à un film de Mylar. Ce type de
porte-objet est couramment utilisé par les collectionneurs
de monnaies et sont disponibles avec des trous de diverses
tailles bien ajustées aux pièces. On place simplement la pièce
sur la fenêtre, replie le carton, et le broche (fig. 6).
Les cartons monétaires sont utilisés pour de nombreuses
raisons :
• To protect the finish against dirt and oil found on our fingers
• Pour prévenir que la pièce soit détériorée davantage
• To facilitate showing the coin without having to touch it directly
• Pour protéger le fini de la pièce contre la saleté et les huiles
retrouvées sur nos doigts
• To protect the original lustre and colours (for newer coins)
against oxidation
• To maintain the coin in a straight position so that it can be best
viewed
When used correctly, 2-by-2s protect the coin they hold:
the inner Mylar layer seals the coin from the environment
and holds it securely, the holder is very inexpensive, and
the cardboard frame allows us to write down the coin’s
description, including the country, date, grade and
denomination, mint mark, metal composition, actual weight,
precious metal content, or even the catalogue number.
Let’s get back to my opening question. There are
important rules to follow to ensure the 2-by-2 does what it
is supposed to do: protect your coins, not destroy them!
Have a look at the lethal weapon shown at figure 2! It is a
• Pour nous permettre de montrer la pièce sans la toucher
• Pour prévenir l’oxydation, maintenant ainsi le lustre et la couleur
d’origine
• Pour garder la pièce dans une position favorable à son
observation
Lorsqu’utilisés correctement, les cartons monétaires
protègent les pièces qu’ils abritent : la pellicule de Mylar
scelle la pièce et la protège donc des conditions
environnementales tout en la gardant bien en place; le cadre
nous permet d’écrire de l’information au sujet de la pièce
telle que sa description (pays d’origine, millésime,
dénomination, grade, marque d’atelier, matériau, poids,
numéro de catalogue, etc.).
[July/August 2011]
– 195
staple (magnified 20 times) that can seriously damage any
coin that gets close to it. To help you avoid potential disasters
like this, here are eight basic rules on how to best use 2-by2s.
Rule # 1: Select a 2-by-2 with a hole that fits your coin:
not too big, not too small. Why? Your coin is protected best
if it does not move inside the 2-by-2. If the hole is too small,
you will not see your coin well and it is more likely that
your coin will be exposed to ambient air because the Mylar
will not be able to seal properly around it. If it is too big ,
the coin will move around and the fragile exposed Mylar
surfaces are more likely to suffer damage, such as a
perforation (Fig. 1).
Rule # 2: Use good quality staples. If you do not, you
will have issues like are shown in picture figure 3. A
stapler that is neither sharp enough nor strong
enough to get through the thick
cardboard means that the
stapler, or the
staples, can
c a u s e
serious
damage (like
a n i c e
scratch!) on
the surface of
a neighbouring
coin. Use good
quality staples
l i k e t h e
Swingline
Speedpoint
premium staples.
They cost a bit
more, but they are
well worth the
extra money.
Rule # 3: Use
pliers to flatten your
staples (Fig. 4). Even if
the points of your staples
are not exposed, it is still a
good practice to crimp them.
A better solution is to buy a
“flat-clinch” stapler (Fig. 7)
that flattens your staples as part
of the stapling action, then you
can put away your pliers. As a
safety check, simply pass your
fingers over the back of the 2-by-2
to make sure no points are sticking out.
Flattened staples also allow you to stack
coins more easily.
196 –
[July/August 2011]
La figure 2 montre une arme horrible : il s’agit d’une
simple agrafe (grossie 20 fois). Vous n’aurez sans doute pas
de difficulté à me croire si je vous dis qu’elle peut causer
beaucoup de dommage à vos pièces. Voici donc huit
rudiments pour bien utiliser les cartons monétaires afin de
leur permettre de bien faire leur travail.
Règle no 1 : Choisissez un carton monétaire dont la
fenêtre est de taille appropriée à la pièce, pas trop grande,
pas trop petite. Pourquoi? La pièce est mieux protégée si
elle ne bouge pas à l’intérieur du carton. Si la fenêtre est
trop petite, vous ne verrez pas bien la pièce et il se peut
qu’elle soit exposée à l’air ambiant. Si la fenêtre est trop
grande, la pièce bougera se qui peut venir à briser la
pellicule de Mylar (fig. 1).
Règle no 2 : Utilisez des agrafes de
bonne qualité. Autrement, vous aurez
des problèmes tel qu’indiqué à la
figure 3. Une agrafe de piètre qualité
pourrait endommager (comme faire
une belle égratignure) d’autres pièces
lorsque vous en manipulez plusieurs
à la fois. Les agrafes de qualité
supérieure sont plus chères, mais elles
en valent la peine.
Règle no 3 : Utilisez des pinces
pour aplatir les agrafes, car les agrafes
peuvent endommager vos feuilles de
rangement ou encore d’autres pièces.
Il sera également plus facile
d’empiler de nombreux cartons.
Idéalement, procurez-vous une
agrafeuse qui aplatit les agrafes
à même l’opération (fig. 7).
Règle no 4 : Afin que la
pièce soit bien scellée,
agrafez à environ 5 mm
de la fenêtre et utilisez
quatre agrafes (et
pour des raisons
esthétiques,
essayez d’être
le plus droit
possible).
6. Carton monétaire que l’on s’apprête à fermer et agrafer.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------6. A 2-by-2 that we are about to close and staple.
7, 8. Flat-clinch stapler and premium staples available at
Staples stores.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------7, 8. Agrafeuse-aplatissoire et agrafes de qualité supérieure
disponibles dans les magasins Staples.
Rule # 4: Locate your staples at about 5 mm
from the edge of the window to seal the coin
properly and use four staples. For aesthetic reasons,
try to staple straight!
Rule # 5: There is no need to use any type of adhesive
on the 2-by-2. There are 2-by-2s for sale that come with an
adhesive, but I recommend the regular type and staples (see
Rule # 7).
Rule # 6: Make sure your stapler is of high quality so it
properly staples the 2-by-2. Any malfunction can reduce
the efficiency of the 2-by-2.
Rule # 7: When you buy 2-by-2s, check one to make
sure that the two holes line up when you fold it. Also make
sure that the inside Mylar is fairly thickness. Many of the
self adhesive 2-by-2s are not made of Mylar, but rather of
an acid free plastic that tears very easily.
Rule # 8: Handle your 2-by-2 as if you were handling a
coin. Do not touch the Mylar on the inside of the 2-by-2
because you could leave a fingerprint, which would not only
spoil the view, but its acidity could later attack the surface
of your coin.
I suspect that the two coins that I picked up at Universal
continued on page 215
Règle no 5 : Il existe des cartons monétaires qui sont
autocollants et qui n’ont donc pas besoin d’être agrafés. Les
cartons réguliers font très bien l’affaire.
Règle no 6 : Assurez-vous d’utiliser une agrafeuse de
bonne qualité. Tout malfonctionnement risque de réduire
l’efficacité des cartons.
Règle no 7 : Quand vous achetez vos cartons monétaires,
assurez-vous que les fenêtres sont bien vis-à-vis lorsque vous
pliez les cartons. Assurez-vous aussi que la pellicule soit du
Mylar d’une épaisseur appropriée.
Règle no 8 : Manipulez les cartons avec soin. Évitez de
toucher le côté interne de la pellicule. Vous pourriez y laisser
des huiles ou des acides qui se trouvent sur le bout de vos
doigts.
Je présume que les deux pièces obtenues chez Universal
appartenaient à un débutant, qui ne savait pas comment
utiliser correctement les cartons monétaires. Vous connaissez
maintenant les rudiments de la bonne utilisation des cartons
monétaires. N’hésitez pas à les partager!
[July/August 2011]
– 197
198 –
[July/August 2011]
1911 – continued from page 212
Aaron, Robert. “The 1911 pattern – Canada’s first silver dollar,” The
Canadian Numismatic Journal, 21.6, (June 1976): 225-228.
Banning, Ted. “1911’s false start for the silver dollar,” Canadian Coin
News, 48, 21 (Feb. 1 to 14, 2011): 14.
Cross, W.K. A Charlton Standard Catalogue, Canadian Coins. 62nd ed.
Toronto, ON: The Charlton Press, 2008.
Haxby, James A. The Royal Canadian Mint and Canadian Coinage,
Striking Impressions. 2nd ed. Canada: Royal Canadian Mint, 1986.
The Illustrated London News, 138, 3766 (June 24, 1911)
Krause, Chester L. and Mishler, Clifford. 1998 Standard Catalog of World
Coins 1901-Present. 25th Anniversary ed. Iola, WI, U.S.A.: Krause
Publications, 1998.
http://www.1911dollar.com/ [2011-6-21]
http://www.diverseequities.com/index.php?item=2 [2011-06-21]
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canadian_federal_election_1911 [2011-0622]
http://www.jstor.org/pss/138903 [2011-06-22]
http://jewelry.ha.com/c/press-release.zx?releaseId=297 [2011-06-21]
http://www.mapleleafweb.com/old/election/federal/top-five/1911/
index.html [2011-06-23]
http://meerutup.tripod.com/durbar/ [2011-07-12]
[July/August 2011]
– 199
by Ron Cheek
T
200 –
[July/August 2011]
Topley Studio / Library and Archives Canada / PA-028032
he first decade of the 20th century saw dramatic changes. coronation of King George V and Queen Mary took place
Industrialization continued at a frantic pace. in London June 22, 1911. A lavish and unabashedly imperial
Electrification of towns, cities, and industries was under affair, the coronation drew leaders from across the British
way. The telephone had arrived. The automobile, a novelty Empire as well as royal representatives of the crowned heads
at first, was becoming a common sight. The horse and buggy of the world. Canada’s Prime Minister, Sir Wilfrid Laurier,
started going the way of… well, the horse and buggy. was in attendance, along with the premiers of most provinces.
Airplane development had made incredible strides since the The Earl of Aberdeen, our Governor General, marched in
Wright brothers’ first flight at Kitty Hawk in December 1903. the coronation procession bearing one of the eleven Royal
Ford was implementing the assembly line, dramatically Standards that represented the 400 million people of the
changing industrial manufacturing, and ushering in the era British Empire. Thousands of troops from military units
of mass production. In ever-increasing numbers, people were across the vast empire provided a background of imperial
moving off farms and into cities to work in factories.
might to the colourful ceremonies. A Naval Review before
By 1911, the European political scene had grown tense. the new monarch at Spithead on June 24 included more than
Germany, frustrated in its attempts to become a first-class 200 Royal Navy ships and submarines. This was more than
imperial power, was flexing its muscles. German militarism pageantry. In the tense atmosphere of Europe, Britain was
had sparked an arms race. Complex and unwieldy treaties also flexing her muscles.
among the nations of Europe created strange alliances that
In Canada, then a self-governing “Dominion” of some
could have dangerous consequences should hostilities break seven million, the 1911 political scene was turbulent. Under
out. Edward VII, King and Emperor, “the uncle of Europe,” the leadership of Sir Wilfrid Laurier, the Liberal Party had
had died on May 6, 1910, after barely ten years on the throne. enjoyed a majority for 15 years. But Laurier was old and
The steadying influence
unwell. Many saw the
he b r o u g h t
to
Liberals a n d t h e i r
E u r o p e because of
leader as having
his close family
r u n o u t o f ideas.
connections w i t h t h e
Caught up in the
t h r o n e s of many
naval arms race
European nations,
in Europe, Laurier
particularly with his
seemed unable to
i m p a t i e n t
please anyone. Both
n e p h e w, Kaiser
French and English
Wi l h e l m I I o f t h e
Canadians o p p o s e d
German Empire, was
him, but for different
suddenly gone. Britain
reasons. Frenchwas in a frantic catch-up
speaking Canadians,
naval arms race with
particularly in Quebec,
Germany. War, it was
rejected his “profeared, would inevitably
British policy.” On the
engulf Europe. And that 1. While the horse and buggy, or carriage, was far from obsolete in 1911, the “horseless other hand, Englishwar would involve the
speaking Canadians
carriage” – the automobile – was seen more frequently every year.
entire British Empire. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------1. Bien que le cheval et la charrette eut été loin de l’obsolescence en 1911,
The
splendid
l’automobile prend une place de plus en plus importante.
par Ron Cheek
Library and Archives Canada / PA-121930
L
a première décennie du XX e siècle a connu des ses liens familiaux étroits avec les couronnes de plusieurs
changements dramatiques. L’industrialisation continue nations européennes, notamment son impatient neveu, le
à un pas frénétique. L’électrification des villes et Kaiser Wilhelm II de l’Empire allemand, avait soudainement
villages est en cours. Le téléphone récemment inventé est disparu. La Grande-Bretagne entreprend une course aux
maintenant parmi nous. L’automobile, qui est jusqu’alors armements navals frénétique afin de rattraper l’Allemagne.
une nouveauté, commence à remplacer le cheval et la On craint que la guerre soit inévitable et qu’elle engloutisse
charrette dans notre quotidien. Le développement de l’avion inévitablement l’Europe entière et se propage à tout l’Empire
fait des progrès incroyables depuis le premier vol des frères britannique.
Wright à Kitty Hawk en décembre 1903. Henry Ford, mets
Le couronnement du roi George V et de la reine Marie
en œuvre sa chaine de montage, un changement dramatique est célébré à Londres le 22 juin 1911. Les somptueuses
en fabrication industrielle, inaugurant une nouvelle ère de célébrations sont dignes d’un empire et attirent les dirigeants
production en masse. Les gens tendent à quitter la ferme de tout l’Empire britannique et des représentants royaux des
pour la ville, en plus grand nombre, pour travailler dans les têtes couronnées du monde entier. Le premier ministre de
usines.
Canada, sir Wilfrid Laurier, est aussi présent, ainsi que la
En 1911, la scène politique est précaire en Europe. plupart des premiers ministres provinciaux. Le comte
L’Allemagne, frustrée par les échecs de ces tentatives à d’Aberdeen, le gouverneur général, est parmi ceux qui
devenir une puissance impériale de premier ordre, défilent dans la procession du couronnement portant
commence à fléchir ses
l’un des onze
muscles. Le militarisme
étendards royaux qui
allemand déclenche une
représentent les 400
course aux armements.
millions de personnes
Des traités complexes
de l’Empire britannique.
entre les nations
Des milliers de soldats,
européennes créent des
provenant de tous les
alliances étranges, qui
coins du vaste empire,
pourraient avoir de
représentent bien la
d a n g e r e u s e s
puissance impériale et
conséquences si des
agissent en toile de
hostilités éclatent.
fond aux cérémonies
Édouard VII, roi et
colorées. Plus de 200
empereur, « l’oncle de
navires et sous-marins
l’Europe », décède le
de la Marine royale
6 mai 1910, après à
défilent devant le
peine dix ans sur
nouveau monarque à
le trône. L’influence
Spithead le 24 juin.
2. B.A. Macnab, rédacteur en chef du Montreal Daily Mail, donne des journaux
à William C. Robinson, pilote, avant le départ de son vol Montréal-Ottawa.
stabilisatrice qu’il avait
C’est plus que pour le
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------apportée à l’Europe, par
2. B.A. Macnab, editor of the Montreal Daily Mail, handing newspapers to
William C. Robinson, pilot, at the start of his Montreal-Ottawa flight.
[July/August 2011]
suite à la page 203
– 201
Library and Archives Canada / R1300-78
3. Twelfth Parliament of Canada, elected on September 21, 1911, led by
Prime Minister Robert Borden.
continued from page 200
saw Laurier as “abandoning traditional links with B r i t a i n . ”
I n 1 9 1 0 , attempting a compromise, the Liberals had passed
a c o n t e n t i o u s b i l l creating a Canadian navy. The move
was especially unpopular in Quebec. Under the leadership
of Henri Bourassa and his Quebec Nationalist League
opposition to the Liberals on this issue was bitter. Bourassa
saw the move as a pledge by Canada to participate in
Britain’s wars, and an abandonment of Canadian autonomy.
Under pressure, the Liberals needed another issue to engage
the Canadian people. That issue was reciprocity — free trade
— with the United States.
In an ironic preview of the events of 1988,1 the Laurier
government, in the face of Conservative opposition,
negotiated a free-trade agreement with the United States.
Although, by the summer of 1911 it was still two years from
the normal end of its term, the Liberal government decided
to go to the people on the issue of ratification of the freetrade deal. Laurier’s election call was seen by many as an
attempt to divert attention from the Canadian Naval Bill.
The move proved disastrous for the Liberal Party.
While the principal election issue in Quebec was the
naval arms race and Canada’s potential role in Britain’s wars,
opposition to the free-trade agreement was the main factor
in the Liberals’ defeat. The issue divided the country. Western
202 –
[July/August 2011]
3. Le douzième parlement du Canada, élu le 21 septembre 1911, sous la
direction du premier ministre Robert Borden.
Canada, particularly Alberta and Saskatchewan, strongly
favoured free trade to gain access to U.S. markets for its
agricultural products. Industrialized (and more populous)
Eastern Canada, on the other hand, feared free trade because
it exposed Canadian manufactured products to competition.
On September 21, 1911, with the support of Bourassa and
the Quebec Nationalist League, Robert Borden led the
Conservatives to a resounding 132 to 85 victory over the
Liberals. Laurier stepped down as prime minister, and was
replaced by Borden. In a bizarre turn of events, Bourassa
had helped elect a government that was even more staunchly
imperialist and pro-British than that of the Liberals.
Meanwhile, at the mint…
Canada had a mint by 1911 but it was not the Royal
Canadian Mint we know today. The Ottawa mint was first
established as a branch of the British Royal Mint. Its opening,
in January1908, was a long time in coming.
Originally proposed in 1890 because of pressure from
British Columbia gold miners, a mint in Canada took nearly
two decades to become reality. Gold miners, first in the
Cariboo and later in the huge Klondike gold fields, pressured
the Canadian Government for a facility in Canada that could
refine their gold and strike it into coins. The miners wanted
suite de la page 201
simple apparat…dans l’atmosphère tendue de l’Europe, la
Grande-Bretagne a également décidé de démontrer ses
forces.
Au Canada, alors un « Dominion » autonome de quelque
sept millions de citoyens, la scène politique de 1911 est plutôt
mouvementée. Depuis 15 ans, sous la direction de sir Wilfrid
Laurier, le Parti libéral avait eu un gouvernement majoritaire.
Mais Laurier est maintenant âgé et malade. Plusieurs
considèrent que les libéraux et leur chef sont à court d’idées.
Pris dans la course aux armements navals en Europe, Laurier
semble incapable de plaire à qui que ce soit. Tant les
Canadiens français que les Canadiens anglais s’opposent à
lui, mais pour des raisons différentes. Les Canadiens
français, particulièrement au Québec, rejettent sa politique
« proBritannique ». Les Canadiens anglais, eux, voient
Laurier abandonner ses liens traditionnels avec la GrandeBretagne. En 1910, dans un esprit de compromis, les libéraux
adoptent une loi controversée qui crée une marine
canadienne... mesure particulièrement impopulaire au
Québec. Sous la direction d’Henri Bourassa et de son Parti
nationaliste, l’opposition aux libéraux est pleine
d’amertume. Bourassa voit en cette loi un gage du Canada à
participer aux guerres de la Grande-Bretagne, et un abandon
de l’autonomie canadienne. Sous pression constante, les
libéraux cherchent à divertir l’intérêt du peuple canadien.
Cette diversion ils la trouvent dans la réciprocité (le libre4. L’atelier d’Ottawa après la construction de la clôture et du pavillon
de gardien.
échange) avec les États-Unis.
Ironiquement 1 , le gouvernement Laurier, face à
l’opposition conservatrice, négocie un accord de libreéchange avec les États-Unis. À l’été 1911, il reste encore
deux ans avant la fin normale du mandat du gouvernement
libéral. Celui-ci décide néanmoins d’appeler le peuple aux
urnes sur la ratification de l’accord de libre-échange. Ce
déclenchement d’élection par Laurier est perçu par beaucoup
comme une tentative de détourner l’attention du projet de
loi de la marine canadienne. Cette décision se révèle
désastreuse pour le Parti libéral. Bien que l’enjeu principal
des élections au Québec soit la course aux armements navals
et le rôle potentiel du Canada dans les guerres de GrandeBretagne, l’opposition à l’accord de libre-échange est le
principal facteur dans la défaite des libéraux. La question
divise le pays. L’Ouest canadien, particulièrement l’Alberta
et la Saskatchewan, favorise fortement le libre-échange pour
accéder aux marchés états-uniens pour ses produits agricoles.
L’Est canadien, d’autre part, plus industrialisé et peuplé,
craint le libre-échange parce qu’il exposerait les produits
fabriqués au Canada à la concurrence.
Le 21 septembre 1911, avec le soutien de Bourassa et du
Parti nationaliste du Québec, Robert Borden mène les
conservateurs à une victoire retentissante de 132 sièges
contre 85 pour les libéraux. Laurier démissionne comme
4. The Ottawa mint after the construction of the guard pavilion
and the fence.
[July/August 2011]
– 203
5. Panning gold during the Klondike Gold Rush circa 1897-1908.
5. Lavage d’or à la batée pendant la ruée vers l’or du Klondike,
vers 1897-1908.
a Canadian market for the precious metal they so
painstakingly wrested from the earth. They were frustrated
with having to sell their “rough” gold at a substantial
discount, and paying to ship it to the United States to be
refined, only to be made into U.S. coins. Miners and others
in the West demanded a Canadian mint, with its own gold
refinery.
Canadian banks and the Dominion government were, for
many years, opposed to a Canadian mint, and especially to
the production of Canadian gold coins. Unlike silver and
bronze coins, gold coins were worth exactly their weight in
gold, and could only be sold at that price. So the cost of
minting gold coins would represent a loss to the government.
Furthermore, both the Dominion Government and the banks
saw gold coinage as a threat to the profit they made on bank
notes. Moreover, the existing system of merely ordering
coins from the Royal Mint in London whenever they were
needed seemed to be working just fine.
By the early 20th century, for a variety of reasons, the
Government and banks had finally come around to the view
that Canada should have its own mint. The British strongly
204 –
[July/August 2011]
Library and Archives Canada / PA-005389
favoured a separate Canadian mint but, in order to
have the authority to strike British gold sovereigns
in Canada, which the Dominion Government
insisted upon, the mint had to be a branch of the
Royal Mint. Producing new Canadian gold coins
was desirable but striking sovereigns of Canadian
gold was seen as one of the major benefits of a
mint in Canada. There would be a world market
for Canadian gold, and the mint would be kept busy
when demand for smaller-denomination
(subsidiary) coinage was low.
After considerable delays caused by confusion
and poor communications, the Ottawa branch of
the Royal Mint finally opened in January 1908.
Lack of proper organization, an economic slump,
and low demand for new coins, resulted in long
periods of inactivity during the first three years of
operation. If only gold coin production could fill
the gap. But provision for a gold refinery had
initially been overlooked! This was quickly
addressed, but it would not be until January 1911
that the mint’s gold refinery was finally ready for
production. Through 1910, because the refinery
was not completed, a gold debt crisis arose.
Committed to purchase and pay for all unrefined
gold shipments from the West, but with only the
tiny refining capacity of the assay department to
process it, the mint had incurred an alarming debt.
Further chaos was caused by the death of King Edward VII.
New master dies with the effigy of King George V were
required from the Royal Mint in London. They had not yet
arrived when the mint refinery eventually began operation.
Master dies for gold sovereigns were finally delivered in
February 1911 and the mint went into overdrive. Through
1911, with frantic activity, the Ottawa mint produced a record
256,000 Canadian-made British sovereigns. The gold debt
crisis was quickly resolved.
The Dominion of Canada Currency Act of 1910
formalized Canadian currency. The Act established a legal
basis for producing various denominations of the first
Canadian gold coins as well as subsidiary coinage, including
silver dollars. But the death of King Edward VII and the
delays in getting master dies meant that the much-anticipated
first Canadian gold 5-dollar and 10-dollar coins could not
be struck in 1910, nor indeed in 1911.2 Because of coin
shortages, master dies for subsidiary coins took precedence.
Canadian approval of the new coin designs was
necessary. In March 1911, Royal Mint officials, having still
6, 7
7. Superbe demi-couronne britannique millésimée 1911. 8. Couverture du Illustrated London News du 24 juin 1911
montrant une interprétation artistique des porte-étendards royaux dans la parade pour le couronnement du roi
George V et de la reine Marie.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------6, 7. Superb 1911 British half crown. 8. From the cover of the Illustrated London News of June 24, 1911 - an artist’s
rendering of the Royal standard-bearers in the coronation parade for King George V and Queen Mary.
[July/August 2011]
– 205
wrote to the Royal Mint asking for an explanation. When
not finalized the new designs, asked the Canadian he received his answer, in early September, Fielding suffered
Department of Finance if the King’s royal title on Canadian further embarrassment. He discovered that, in his haste to
coins was to be in English or Latin. Frustrated at the delay, respond to the Royal Mint about the new coin legends, he
Finance Minister William S. Fielding replied hastily. Of the had overlooked the omission of DEI GRA: in the design he
two designs offered, he chose the one with the Latin legend. approved. The omission was nothing but an unfortunate
It would not be until June 1911 that the first master dies oversight at the Royal Mint, and Fielding had missed it!
bearing the effigy of King George V, those for the 1-cent Apologies were offered, along with a promise that the correct
pieces, would finally arrive from London. When they did, royal title would appear on 1912 coins.
Master dies for the 5-, 10-, 25-, and 50-cent coins, were
there was consternation.
received in July 1911. They too were “godless.” Since
new coins were badly needed, the Canadian
The “godless” coins of 1911
Government had no choice but to
The new 1-cent master dies,
proceed with striking and
when finally received, did not
issuing the entire series
include DEI GRA: in the
without the full royal
King’s title. DEI GRA:
title. And so today,
(for Dei Gratia)
we have these
meant that the
1 9 11 g o d l e s s
King ruled
coins to collect.
“by the Grace
It should be
of God,” an
n o t e d ,
honorific of
however,
B r i t i s h
that not all
monarchs
t h e 1 9 11
that went
c o i n s
b a c k
struck at
centuries.
the Ottawa
Embarrassed
branch of
by this
the Royal
omission
Mint
were
but with little
“godless.”
choice due
The 256,000
to the coin
British gold
shortage,
sovereigns with
Finance Minister
the “C” mint mark
F i e l d i n g
have the correct
authorized the
legend.
They were,
Ottawa mint to
of course, of the
proceed with striking
s
a
m
e design as the
and issuing the new 1-cent
1911
sovereigns struck
coins. When they went into
elsewhere in the British
circulation, the omission of DEI
Empire. There had been no
GRA: was quickly noticed and
9. Obverse of the first 1911 “godless” coin type issued – the 1-cent piece.
commented on. The new ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- unfortunate involvement of
the Canadian Government in
9. Avers de la première pièce « impie », la pièce de 1 cent 1911.
coins were dubbed “godless.”
their design.
Facing an election in only
It is often said of the 1911 godless coins that they were a
two months, the Liberal Government did not need another
factor
in the outcome of the 1911 election. In Striking
contentious issue on its plate, however minor it might seem
today. The omission had to be explained. Was this yet another Impressions, a history of the Canadian coins and the Royal
example of British high-handedness, producing new Canadian Mint, James Haxby tells us that it is hard to say if
Canadian coin designs without our approval? Or was this a the issue had any real effect. But this claim is so often
sinister anti-British Liberal scheme to weaken Canada’s repeated that it seems to have become somewhat of an “urban
traditional ties to the monarchy? Fielding was baffled, and
206 –
[July/August 2011]
les banques voient plutôt les pièces d’or comme une menace
premier ministre, et est remplacé par Borden. Dans une aux profits réalisés par l’émission de papier-monnaie. Par
tournure d’événements bizarres, Bourassa a contribué à ailleurs, le système en place, obtenir les pièces de monnaie
l’élection d’un gouvernement encore plus impérialiste et de la Monnaie royale à Londres, lorsque nécessaire, semble
fonctionner à merveille.
proBritannique que celui des libéraux.
Ce n’est qu’au début du XXe siècle, pour diverses raisons,
que le gouvernement et les banques ont finalement compris
Pendant ce temps, à la Monnaie…
En 1911, le Canada a déjà un atelier monétaire, mais ce que le Canada devait avoir son propre atelier monétaire.
Les Britanniques supportent la création d’un
n’est pas la Monnaie royale
atelier monétaire au Canada, mais afin
canadienne que nous connaissons
d’avoir l’autorité d’y frapper des souverains
aujourd’hui. Un atelier à bel et bien
d’or — ce sur quoi le gouvernement du
ouvert ses portes à Ottawa en janvier
Dominion insiste — l’atelier doit être une
1908, mais à titre de succursale de la
succursale de la Monnaie royale
Monnaie royale britannique. Sa mise
britannique. Bien que la production de
sur pied est le résultat de longues
pièces d’or canadiennes soit souhaitable, la
négociations.
frappe de souverains d’or est considérée
Ce sont les mineurs d’or de la
comme l’un des principaux avantages
Colombie-Britannique qui proposent,
d’avoir un atelier monétaire au Canada. De
dès 1890, la mise sur pied d’un atelier
plus, il y a un marché pour l’or canadien et
monétaire au pays. Il a donc fallu deux
la frappe de ces pièces peut occuper l’atelier
décennies avant que cet atelier se
lors des creux entre les périodes de
concrétise. Les mineurs veulent un
production de numéraire.
marché canadien pour leurs
Après de nombreux délais causés par
métaux précieux qu’ils extraient
de mauvaises communications et un peu
soigneusement de la terre. Ils étaient
de confusion, la succursale d’Ottawa de
frustrés d’avoir à vendre leur or brut
la Monnaie royale ouvre finalement ses
à un prix réduit, en plus des frais
portes en janvier 1908. Le manque
d’expédition aux États-Unis pour
d’organisation adéquate, une
être raffinés, et ce pour
récession économique, et
frapper des pièces étatsla faible demande pour
uniennes. Alors, les mineurs
de nouvelles pièces de
ainsi que d’autres citoyens de
m o n n a i e en t r a î n e n t
l’Ouest, demandèrent qu’un
de longues périodes
atelier monétaire, avec sa
d’inactivité au cours des
propre raffinerie d’or, soit
trois premières années
établi au Canada.
d’opération. Bien que la
Pendant plusieurs
production de pièces d’or
années, les banques
pût combler ces périodes,
canadiennes et le
il
n’en est pas le cas,
gouvernement du « Dominion »
car
on
a négligé de créer une
s’opposent à la mise sur pied
affinerie! On s’empresse de
d’un atelier monétaire
remédier
à cette lacune, mais
canadien, mais surtout à la
l
’
a
ff
i
n
e
r
i
e
n’est en mesure
production de pièces d’or
d’ouvrir ses portes qu’en janvier 1911.
canadiennes. Contrairement aux pièces
Comme l’affinerie n’est
en argent et en bronze, la
toujours pas en service
valeur des pièces d’or est la
10. L’une des nombreuses médailles émises à l’occasion du
en 1910, une crise
couronnement, celle-ci est destinée à être portée par un spectateur.
valeur intrinsèque, c’est-à-dire
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------d’endettement d’or se crée.
qu’elles ne peuvent être
10. One of many souvenir 1911 coronation medals Engagée à acheter et payer
designed to be worn by a spectator.
vendues que pour la valeur de
pour tous les envois d’or brut
l’or qu’elles contiennent.
Ainsi, les coûts de production de ces pièces représentent de l’Ouest, mais n’ayant qu’une minuscule capacité
une perte pour le gouvernement. Mais le gouvernement et
[July/August 2011]
– 207
legend” among many Canadian coin
enthusiasts. For me, it is hard to credit. All
accounts of the 1911 election I have read
mention opposition to the U.S. free-trade
deal as the main reason for the Laurier
government’s crushing defeat. None
mentions the godless coins. While there
was no doubt some public grumbling and
government embarrassment over the
missing DEI GRA:, would most people really
have cared that much? The coins were likely a
curiosity, no more, much like the “devil’s face” in
the Queen’s hair on 1954 bank notes.
And then there was the matter of new silver
dollars.
The 1911 pattern silver dollars
The 1910 Currency Act included authority to
strike silver dollars, coins that had not previously
been part of Canadian currency. Canadians were
used to seeing U.S. silver dollars and SpanishAmerican and Mexican 8-real coins, of course,
but we had no silver dollar of our own. Pressure
for a Canadian silver dollar came from the
miners in British Columbia, who favoured silver
over paper dollars. Liberal support for such a coin
was lukewarm but, nevertheless, plans to design
and produce a Canadian silver dollar were allowed
to proceed late in the first decade of the
20th century. The death of King Edward VII,
in the middle of 1910, meant that no silver
dollar would be produced that year. A
design had been ready but it would have to
be changed, and that would take time. The
public had been informed — a 1911 silver
dollar was eagerly awaited. The obverse
design was changed to incorporate the effigy
of the new King. Cases for 1911 mint sets even
had a hole for the new silver dollar. But in the
end, it was not to be.
The issue of godless coins, first coming
to light when the 1-cent master dies
arrived in Ottawa, was immediately
brought to the attention of the Royal
Mint. Although there was not enough
time to change the 5-, 10-, 25-, and 50Reverse of the 1911 coins: 11. Large 1-cent.
12. Silver 5-cent. 13. 10-cent. 14. 25-cent.
15. 50-cent.
-----------------------------------------------------------------Revers des pièces de 1911 : 11. 1 cent à grand
module. 12. 5 cents en argent. 13. 10 cents.
14. 25 cents. 15. 50 cents.
208 –
[July/August 2011]
cent master dies, those for the 1911 silver dollar
were corrected to include DEI GRA:. The silver
dollar master dies were shipped to the Ottawa
mint later in 1911, the required machinery
was in place, and it is known that there
was a small supply of silver blanks. But
no 1911 silver dollars were struck for
circulation. The Government abandoned
the scheme. It would not be until 1935
that Canadians would have their own
silver dollar. That coin would be the very
first commemorative Canadian coin. It
celebrated the silver jubilee of King George
V. Curiously, it too was “godless.” But because the
legend on the obverse marked the 25th year of
the King’s reign rather than including his royal
title, no one seemed to notice.
The abandonment of plans for a silver dollar
in 1911 is often questioned in Canadian
numismatic literature. Clearly, the Liberal
Government was lukewarm to the idea, probably
because it did not see a pressing need for such
a coin. Delays caused by the late arrival of
correct master dies, distraction
with the election, and then the change in
government, no doubt were all factors. But
why was the entire project set aside for nearly
a quarter-century?
Ted Banning’s excellent article in the
February 1, 2011, issue of Canadian Coin
News offers the best insight I have read.
Banning reminds us that, in 1910, U.S.
silver dollars, and the Spanish-American
and Mexican 8-real pieces that inspired
them, had long been part of circulating
coinage in Canada. But things were going
on below the border that changed the
Canadian Government’s opinion about the
wisdom of striking Canadian silver dollars.
Long popular, particularly in the western
U.S., and in Western Canada as well, silver
dollars had become expensive for banks
to issue. They were costly to ship. Faced
with sharply increased transport fees,
banks were ordering fewer silver
dollars every year. Due to lower
demand, U.S. mints drastically
reduced mintage of new dollars
through the first years of the 20th
century, stopping production entirely
after 1904. There was an over-supply
of Morgan dollars in circulation for those
Les pièces « impies » de 1911
d’affinage au service de titrage, la Monnaie contracte une
C’est à l’arrivée des nouvelles matrices de la pièce de
dette alarmante. De plus, la mort du roi Édouard VII 1 cent qu’on s’aperçoit que l’inscription « DEI GRA : » est
engendre une situation chaotique. De nouvelles matrices à absente du titre royal. Cette abréviation, pour « Dei Gratia »,
l’effigie du roi George V sont maintenant nécessaires et signifie que le roi règne « par la grâce de Dieu », et est un
doivent être produites par la Monnaie royale à Londres. Les titre honorifique des monarques britanniques depuis
matrices ne sont pas encore arrivées quand l’affinerie plusieurs siècles. Gêné par cette omission, mais sans aucun
d’Ottawa ouvre enfin ses portes. Les matrices pour les autre choix en raison de la pénurie de numéraire, le ministre
souverains sont finalement livrées en février 1911, et la Fielding autorise la frappe et l’émission de nouvelles pièces
Monnaie se met en branle, et produit, frénétiquement, de 1 cent. L’absence de l’inscription « DEI GRA : » est
256 000 souverains. La crise d’endettement d’or est ainsi rapidement remarquée lorsque les pièces sont mises en
rapidement résolue.
circulation. Un tollé éclate au sujet de ces pièces « impies ».
La loi sur les monnaies du Dominion du
À deux mois des élections, le
Canada de 1910 formalise le
gouvernement libéral n’a pas besoin
monnayage canadien. Cette loi
d’un autre sujet de controverse,
établit la base juridique pour
aussi mineur qu’il
la production de diverses
nous puisse paraître
dénominations pour des
aujourd’hui. Cette
pièces d’or et pour
omission doit être
le numéraire, y
expliquée. Est-ce
compris une pièce
un autre exemple
de 1 dollar en
d’autoritarisme
argent. Mais le
de la Grandedécès du roi
Bretagne: la
Édouard VII
production de
ainsi que les
motifs pour les
délais de
monnaies
livraison des
canadiennes,
m a t r i c e s
sans notre
empêche la
accord? Ou estfrappe de pièces
ce une stratégie
de 5 et 10 dollars
libérale antien or tant en 1910,
Britannique
qu’en 1911 2 . En
ayant pour but
effet, le manque
d’affaiblir les liens
de numéraire donne
traditionnels du Canada
priorité aux matrices pour
à la monarchie? Fielding
la frappe des pièces
est dérouté et demande une
essentielles au commerce.
explication à la Monnaie royale.
Les nouveaux motifs des
Mais Fielding est embarrassé par
pièces doivent être approuvés
la réponse qu’il reçoit début
par le gouvernement canadien.
septembre. Il semble que, dans
16. Revers du souverain en or millésimé 1911 frappé à l’atelier
d’Ottawa tel en fait foi la marque d’atelier « C ».
Ces nouveaux motifs n’ayant
sa hâte à répondre à la Monnaie
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------toujours pas été finalisés en
royale au sujet des nouveaux
16. Reverse of the 1911 gold sovereign struck in Ottawa as
indicated by the “C” mint mark.
mars 1911, les responsables de
motifs, il n’ait pas remarqué
la Monnaie royale demandent
l’omission de l’inscription
au ministère des Finances du Canada si le titre royal du roi « DEI GRA: », qui était un oubli regrettable de la Monnaie
doit être en anglais ou en latin. Frustré par les retards, le royale. Des excuses sont offertes, avec la promesse que le
ministre des Finances, William S. Fielding, répond avec hâte titre royal exact sera restauré sur les pièces de 1912.
et, des deux modèles proposés, choisit celui avec la légende
Les matrices pour les pièces de 5, 10, 25 et 50 cents,
latine. Les premières matrices à l’effigie du roi George V, sont reçues en juillet 1911. Celles-ci sont aussi « impies ».
celles de la pièce de 1 cent, arrivent enfin de Londres en Considérant que le manque de numéraire perdure, le
juin 1911. À leur arrivée c’est la consternation.
[July/August 2011]
– 209
who wanted them. Under such circumstances, where was
the pressing need to produce Canadian silver dollars and
ship them to the West? Banning concludes that plans for
Canada’s first silver dollar may just have come at the wrong
time.
As far as is known, only two silver pattern 1911 dollars
were ever struck. They were made at the Royal Mint in
London. Their whereabouts were unknown to the broader
numismatic world for many decades. The first came to light
around 1960 when it was offered for sale by the British
firm, B.A. Seaby, Ltd. The general belief is that this piece
came from the family of the late Sir William Grey EllisonMacCartney, who had been Mint Master at the Royal Mint
at the time it was struck. Evidently, the Mint Master had set
it aside as a souvenir, considering it was his own to keep. It
remains the only 1911 Canadian dollar in private hands.
Seaby’s brought it to the 1960 Canadian Numismatic
Association convention in Sherbrooke, Quebec, as the
centrepiece of its bourse exhibit, offering it at a price of
$16,000. It did not sell then but it eventually sold in 1963
for a reported $3,500. It has changed hands a number of
times, the last being about 2003, when a buyer from Western
Canada paid over $1 million for it.
Shortly after the first 1911 pattern dollar came to light,
Seaby’s reported that a second example was held at the
Royal Mint Museum in London. This is the coin you
can see at the Currency Museum of the Bank of
Canada, in Ottawa. It is there on permanent loan
from the Royal Mint.
The National Currency
Collection also has a lead trial strike of
the 1911 dollar (Fig. 18). It was
unknown until 1977 when it was
discovered in the Department of
Finance in Ottawa, wrapped in a
brown paper parcel. Probably
unique, it is believed to have been
struck at the Ottawa mint and sent
to the Department for approval.
The 1911 pattern dollar, once
named in the Guinness Book of
World Records as the world’s
rarest coin, has been crowned the
“Emperor of Canadian coins.”
17. Another numismatic quirk of 1911, the
infamous “Pig Rupee” of British India so
offended Hindus and Moslems alike that it was
quickly withdrawn before most were issued.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------17. Une autre bizarrerie de 1911, la désormais célèbre
« Roupie au cochon » des Indes britanniques. Elle a tant
insulté hindous et musulmans qu’elle fut retirée avant même que
la majorité des pièces ne soient émises.
210 –
[July/August 2011]
Indians also disliked their 1911 coins
Britain ruled a restive Indian Empire in 1911. For
decades, rising currents of Indian nationalism had disturbed
the British raj. Initially seeking only a larger role in the Indian
Civil Service, Indians now openly spoke of self-government.
Canada, Australia, and New Zealand were self-governing
“dominions.” Why should India not be accorded the same
treatment? The British Government of India had become
distanced from its Indian subjects. British of all classes in
India were generally viewed as aloof, and contemptuous of
the hundreds of millions of people they lived among and
ruled. Undercurrents of mistrust persisted over earlier British
attempts to convert Hindus and Moslems to Christianity.
The British had learned not to interfere in matters of religion,
but Indians were ever vigilant for any threats to their
religious beliefs and practices.
While some Canadians grumbled about their 1911
godless coins, the people of India found a far more sinister
issue to complain about. The effigy of the new KingEmperor, George V, graced India’s 1911 coins, but it was
not the practice to remind Indians that Queen-Empresses or
King-Emperors ruled India by the Grace of God. British
India coins have no such wording as Dei Gratia or its
abbreviations. The issue that enraged both Hindus and
Courtesy of the National Currency Collection, Bank of Canada, photo by Gord Carter
gouvernement canadien n’a d’autre choix que procéder à la
frappe et l’émission de la série complète. Nous avons donc
ces pièces « impies » de 1911 à collectionner. Il faut noter,
cependant, que les pièces canadiennes millésimée 1911 ne
sont pas toutes impies. Les 256 000 souverains avec la
marque d’atelier « C » ont la légende correcte. Elles ont,
bien sûr, les mêmes motifs que les souverains frappés ailleurs
dans l’Empire britannique en 1911. Il n’y a eu aucune
participation malheureuse du gouvernement canadien dans
leur conception.
On entend souvent dire que les pièces impies ont été un
facteur dans l’élection de 1911. Dans La Monnaie royale
canadienne et notre système monétaire : Pièces à l’appui,
James Haxby écrit qu’il est difficile de dire si la question a
eu un effet réel. Mais cette affirmation est si souvent répétée
qu’elle semble être devenue une « légende urbaine » chez
les amateurs de pièces de monnaie canadienne. Selon moi,
il est difficile d’accepter ce propos. Tous les comptes-rendus
de l’élection de 1911 que j’ai lus mentionnent que
l’opposition au libre-échange avec les États-Unis fut la
principale raison de la défaite écrasante du gouvernement
Laurier. On ne fait jamais référence aux pièces impies. Bien
qu’il y ait eu quelques grognes du public ainsi qu’ un
embarras au gouvernement sur le sujet, est-ce que la plupart
des gens se souciaient vraiment de ça? Les pièces n’étaient
rien de plus qu’une curiosité, un peu comme les billets de
banque de 1954 avec la « face du diable » dans les cheveux
de la reine. Et puis, il y avait la question des nouvelles pièces
de 1 dollar en argent.
La pièce d’épreuve de 1 dollar 1911
La Loi sur la monnaie de 1910 comprend l’autorité de
frapper des pièces de 1 dollar en argent, pièces qui ne faisait
jusqu’alors pas partie du monnayage canadien. Les
Canadiens étaient habitués de voir des dollars en argent étatsuniens et des piastres hispano-américaines (des pièces de
8 réaux). Comme pour la frappe des pièces d’or, la pression
pour l’émission d’une pièce canadienne de 1 dollar en argent
provient des mineurs en Colombie-Britannique, qui
favorisent l’argent au papier-monnaie. L’appui des libéraux
pour une telle pièce est peu enthousiaste, néanmoins, ils
autorisent la planification de la conception et la production
de dollars canadiens en argent. La mort du roi Édouard VII,
au milieu de 1910, signifie qu’aucun dollar en argent ne
sera produit cette année. Un dessin est prêt, mais il doit être
changé, et cela prend du temps. Le public a été informé – la
pièce de 1 dollar en argent 1911 est très attendue. L’avers
doit être changé pour l’effigie du nouveau roi. On a même
prévu une place pour la pièce de 1 dollar dans l’étui de
l’ensemble numismatique de 1911. Mais il devra
rester vide.
Le problème des pièces impies ayant été
porté à l’attention de la Monnaie royale,
la matrice de l’avers de la pièce de
1 dollar est corrigée et comprend DEI
GRA:. Les matrices sont expédiées à
l’atelier d’Ottawa tard en 1911.
Toute la machinerie est mise en
place pour la frappe de pièce de
1 dollar et il y a même une petite
quantité de flans en argent. Mais
il n’y a pas de frappe pour
circulation, le gouvernement
ayant abandonné le programme.
Les Canadiens n’auront leur
propre pièce de 1 dollar en argent
qu’en 1935. Celle-ci est la
première pièce canadienne
commémorative. Elle célèbre le
jubilé d’argent du roi George V.
Étrangement, cette pièce est aussi
18. Revers de la pièce épreuve 1911 en plomb.
----------------------------------------------------18. Reverse of the 1911 lead pattern dollar.
[July/August 2011]
– 211
Continued from page 210
Moslems was a tiny detail on the King-Emperor’s robe. To
quote the Standard Catalog of World Coins:
The rupees dated 1911 were rejected by the public because the
elephant, on the Order of the Indian Empire shown on the King’s
robe, was thought to resemble a pig, an animal considered unclean
by most Indians. Out of a total of 9.4 million pieces struck at
both mints [Calcutta and Bombay], only 700,000 were issued,
and many of these were withdrawn and melted with un-issued
pieces. The issues of 1912 have a redesigned elephant [with
heavier feet and a longer tail].
The Standard Catalog designates the offending coin
portrait as: “Type 1 Obv. Die w/elephant with pig-like feet
and short tail. Nicknamed “Pig Rupee.”
Dare we suggest that the coins were rejected because
the elephant’s tail had been truncated?
In conclusion
The summer of 1911 saw a coronation spectacle the like
of which Britons had never witnessed. Colourful and festive
though it was, it was a demonstration designed to show the
world Britain’s naval might and the vast resources of her
worldwide empire. Our prime minister, Sir Wilfrid Laurier,
attended the coronation and then returned home to fight a
bitter election that would bring to an end 15 years of Liberal
government under his stewardship. The year 1911 saw
numismatic curiosities in Canada: “godless” coins, a silver
dollar that never came to be, and a record production of
gold coins thanks to the just-opened mint refinery, but not a
single 1911 Canadian 5-dollar or 10-dollar coin. They were
all 1911C British sovereigns.
Their Imperial Majesties the King-Emperor and the
Queen-Empress traveled to India late in 1911 to attend the
Great Coronation Durbar in Delhi. Before the assembled
thousands, including rulers of the many “Princely States,”
they announced their June coronation in London. But
Indians, looking upon their new King-Emperor for the first
time, already had an idea of what he looked like in his royal
robes. They had seen and rejected the shiny new silver rupees
with his image because he wore a decoration resembling a
pig.
Public dislike of Canada’s godless coins seems to have
been a 1911 phenomenon. We have had quite a few since
then but no one has objected and most people haven’t even
noticed. When Canadians finally did get a silver dollar, in
1935, it was “godless.” Ironically, the 1911 dollar, had it
been produced for circulation, would have included DEI
GRA: in the King’s royal title. The 2001 10-cent piece
marking the International Year of the Volunteer is also
“godless,” as is the 2008 2-dollar coin honouring the
400th anniversary of the founding of Québec. The 2010
Vancouver Olympics 25-cent pieces are all “godless.” Lack
of space was apparently the reason. The Royal Canadian
Mint says there will likely be more “godless” circulating
commemorative coins in the future, for the same reason.
While the 1911 pattern dollars are the most revered of
all Canadian coins, it should be noted that there were also
pattern 1911 gold 5- and 10-dollar coins struck by the Royal
Mint. They, along with the silver dollar, are illustrated in
the 1911 Royal Mint Report. Why do they not cause
excitement? In my opinion, there are two reasons. Firstly,
being unique museum pieces, they are unattainable at any
price. At least there is one 1911 dollar in private hands.
Secondly, while Canadians had to wait for nearly a quarter
century to have a silver dollar, plenty of gold 5- and 10dollar coins appeared in 1912, and more were struck in 1913
and 1914. Thus, they are neither curiosities nor are they
rare.
To commemorate the notable numismatic year that was
1911, the Royal Canadian Mint has issued a
100th anniversary proof coin set with the dual dates 19112011 (Fig. 20). Included in the set is a replica of “the silver
dollar that never was.”
Notes:
1. Ironic because in 1988 it would be the Progressive Conservatives who
negotiated a U.S. Free Trade Agreement, with the Liberals opposing it.
2. Although also authorized by the Currency Act, production of 2 ½-dollar
and 20-dollar coins had been shelved.
Sources:
212 –
[July/August 2011]
dollars pendant les premières années du XXe siècle, et la
« impie » parce que la légende de l’avers souligne production cesse entièrement après 1904. Il y a surabondance
l’anniversaire plutôt que d’inclure le titre royal. Personne de dollars du type Morgan en circulation, tous ceux qui en
voulaient pouvaient donc se les procurer. Considérant ces
n’a semblé remarquer.
L’abandon, en 1911, des plans pour le dollar en argent circonstances, quel est le besoin pressant de produire des
est souvent remis en question dans la littérature dollars canadiens en argent? Banning conclut que l’idée
numismatique canadienne. De toute évidence, le d’une pièce canadienne de 1 dollar en argent est venue au
gouvernement libéral est peu enthousiaste à cette idée, mauvais moment.
Autant qu’on puisse le savoir, seulement deux épreuves
probablement parce qu’il ne voit pas un besoin pressant
d’une telle pièce. Les délais causés par l’arrivée tardive du dollar 1911 ont été frappées en argent. Elles ont été
de nouvelles matrices, la distraction de l’élection, fabriquées à la Monnaie royale à Londres. Il semble qu’elles
et le changement de gouvernement, o n t s a n s d o u t e aient été inconnues du monde numismatique jusqu’à la
découverte d’une pièce vers 1960, lorsqu’elle
t o u s contribué à l’abandon du projet. Mais
fut mise en vente par la firme
pourquoi l’a-t-on oublié pour près d’un
britannique, BA Seaby, Ltd. La
quart de siècle?
croyance générale est que cette
L’excellent article de Ted
pièce est venue de la
Banning dans l ’ é d i t i o n
er
famille du regretté
d u 1 février 2011 d u
sir William Ellison
Canadian
Coin
Grey-MacCartney,
News nous o f f r e ,
qui avait été
s e l o n moi, le
maître à la
meilleur aperçu à ce
Monnaie royale à
sujet. B a n n i n g
l’époque de la
n
o
u
s
frappe des
rappelle,
épreuves. Il
q u ’ e n 1910,
semble que le
les dollars en
maître de la
argent é t a t s Monnaie ait
unien et les
mis cette pièce
p i a s t r e s
de
côté, comme
h i s p a n o s o u v e n i r,
américaines
estimant qu’elle
ont l o n g t e m p s
était sienne à
fait
partie
c o n s e r v e r.
d e l a monnaie
C ’ e s t l e seul
circulant au Canada.
exemplaire en mains
Mais il se passe des
privées.
Seaby l’apporte
choses chez nos v o i s i n s
au congrès de 1960 de
d u s u d qu’amènent le
l’Association canadienne de
gouvernement canadien à se
numismatique à Sherbrooke,
questionner sur la sagesse de
comme pièce centrale offerte
frapper des dollars e n
19. Avers du dollar 2011 émis pour souligner le 100e anniversaire de la
frappe de l’« impératrice des monnaies canadiennes ». Il est un
à sa bourse, au prix de
argent.Longtemps
reproduction fidèle. Chose à remarquer c’est qu’il n’est « impie ».
populaire, particulièrement ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 16 000 $. Elle ne trouve pas
acheteur. Elle est finalement
dans l’ouest des États-Unis et
19. Obverse of the 2011 dollar issued to commemorate the
100th anniversary of the strike of the “Emperor of Canadian coins.” It is
vendue en 1963 pour 3500 $.
du Canada, l’émission de
an exact replica. It is interesting to note that it is not “godless.”
Elle a changé de mains à
pièces de 1 dollar en argent
plusieurs occasions depuis, la
est devenue dispendieuse
pour les banques... à cause des frais d’expéditions. Une dernière fois étant en 2003, lorsqu’un acheteur dans l’Ouest
hausse de ces derniers a résulté en une réduction des canadien a versé plus de 1 million $ pour en faire
commandes de ces pièces par les banques, et ce d’année en l’acquisition.
Peu après la découverte de la première pièce d’épreuve
année. En raison de cette demande plutôt faible, la Monnaie
états-unienne a radicalement réduit le tirage de nouveaux
[July/August 2011]
– 213
20. L’ensemble commémoratif 2011 est semblable à ce qu’aurait été l’ensemble de 1911, si la pièce de 1 dollar avait été frappée.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------20. The 2011 commemorative set is similar to what would have been the 1911 set if the 1-dollar coin had been struck.
du dollar de 1911, Seaby a rapporté qu’un second exemplaire
est au Musée de la Monnaie royale à Londres. C’est cet
exemplaire que vous pouvez maintenant voir au Musée de
monnaies de la Banque du Canada, à Ottawa. Un prêt en
permanence de la Monnaie royale.
La Collection nationale de monnaies a aussi une pièce
d’épreuve en plomb (fig. 18). Inconnue jusqu’en 1977, date
à laquelle elle a été découverte au ministère des Finances à
Ottawa, enveloppé dans un papier brun. Probablement
unique, on croit qu’elle a été frappée à l’atelier d’Ottawa et
envoyée au ministre pour son approbation.
Ce dollar de 1911, nommé dans le Livre des records
Guinness comme la pièce la plus rare au monde, a même
été couronnée « impératrice des monnaies canadiennes ».
Les Indiens détestent aussi leurs
monnaies de 1911
En 1911, l’Angleterre gouverne un Empire indien agité.
Pendant des décennies, l’aire ascendante du nationalisme
indien avait perturbé le Raj britannique. Initialement
seulement à la recherche d’un rôle plus important dans la
fonction publique indienne, les Indiens parlent maintenant
ouvertement d’une autonomie gouvernementale. Le Canada,
l’Australie et la Nouvelle-Zélande sont tous des territoires
autonomes, des « dominion ». Pourquoi ne pas accorder à
l’Inde la même autonomie? Le gouvernement britannique
214 –
[July/August 2011]
de l’Inde s’est éloigné de ses sujets indiens. Les britanniques
de toutes classes en Inde sont généralement considérés
comme étant à l’écart, et méprisants des centaines de millions
de personnes au milieu desquelles ils vivent et gouvernent.
Un courant de méfiance persiste depuis les tentatives
antérieures des Britanniques de convertir les hindous et les
musulmans au christianisme. Les Britanniques ont appris à
ne pas s’imposer dans les affaires de religion, mais les
Indiens sont toujours vigilants quant à toute menace à leurs
croyances et pratiques religieuses.
Alors que certains Canadiens grognent au sujet de leurs
pièces de monnaie « impies », le peuple indien a trouvé un
problème beaucoup plus sinistre. L’effigie du nouveau roiempereur, George V, orne bel et bien les pièces de monnaie
des Indes mais sans la formule « Dei Gracia », question de
sensibilité religieuse. Ce qui enrage les hindous et
musulmans est un tout petit détail de la robe de l’empereur.
Selon le Standard Catalog of World Coins :
Les roupies millésimées 1911 ont été rejetées par le public et par
ordonnance de l’Empire indien parce que l’éléphant figurant sur
la robe du roi, ressemble à un cochon, un animal considéré comme
impur par la plupart des Indiens. Sur un total de 9,4 millions de
pièces frappées aux deux ateliers monétaires [Calcutta et Bombay
], seulement 700 000 pièces ont été émises, et plusieurs d’entre
elles ont été retirées et fondues avec d’autres pièces non émises.
Les versions de 1912 ont un éléphant redessiné [avec pattes plus
lourdes ainsi qu’une queue plus longue]. [Traduction libre]
Le Standard Catalog désigne le portrait de la pièce
fautive comme: « Type 1 Matrice avers, l’éléphant aux pieds
de cochon et à la queue courte » … surnommée « Roupie au
cochon ».
Osons-nous suggérer que ces pièces ont été rejetées parce
la queue de l’éléphant avait été tronquée?
Conclusion
L’été 1911 voit un couronnement spectaculaire, du jamais
vu pour les Britanniques. Colorée et festive, c’est une
démonstration qui vise à montrer au monde entier la
puissance navale de la Grande-Bretagne et les vastes
ressources de son empire mondial. Notre premier ministre,
sir Wilfrid Laurier, assiste au couronnement et rentre ensuite
chez lui pour combattre dans une élection amère qui met fin
à 15 années de gouvernement libéral sous sa tutelle. L’année
1911 voit des curiosités numismatiques au Canada : pièces
de monnaie « impies », un dollar en argent qui ne voit jamais
le jour, et une production record de pièces d’or grâce à
l’affinerie de l’atelier d’Ottawa récemment ouverte. Mais
ces pièces d’or ne sont pas pleinement canadiennes, elles
sont des souverains britanniques frappées au Canada.
Leurs Majestés Impériales le roi et la reine se rendent
aux Indes à la fin de 1911 pour assister au grand
couronnement, au Durbar de Delhi. Devant les milliers
assemblés, y compris les dirigeants des nombreux « États
princiers », ils annoncent leur couronnement à Londres
quelque six mois plus tôt. Bien que ce soit la première fois
que les Indiens voient leur empereur en chair et en os, ils
l’ont déjà vu dans ses robes d’apparat, sur les monnaies.
L’aversion publique, au Canada, des pièces impies
semble avoir été un phénomène unique à 1911. En effet, il y
a eu d’autres pièces canadiennes impies depuis, mais
personne n’a protesté et la plupart des gens n’ont même pas
remarqué. Quand les Canadiens ont finalement eu une pièce
de 1 dollar en argent, en 1935, elle était impie. Ironiquement,
le dollar de 1911aurait inclut l’inscription « DEI GRA: » au
titre royal, s’il eut été mis en circulation. La pièce de 10 cents
de 2001 marquant l’Année internationale des volontaires
est aussi impie… comme la pièce de 2 dollars 2008 qui
souligne le 400e anniversaire de la fondation de Québec.
Les pièces de 25 cents des Jeux de Vancouver 2010 sont
toutes impies, dues au manque d’espace à l’avers. La
Monnaie royale canadienne dit qu’il y aura probablement
d’autres pièces de circulation impies dans l’avenir, pour les
mêmes raisons.
Bien que le dollar en argent 1911 soit la plus vénérée de
toutes les pièces canadiennes, il convient de noter que des
pièces d’épreuves avaient également été frappées à la
Monnaie de Londres pour les pièces d’or de 5 et 10 dollars.
Elles sont d’ailleurs illustrées, ainsi que le dollar, dans le
rapport annuel de la Monnaie royale de 1911. Pourquoi
n’ont-elles le même attrait pour les collectionneurs? À mon
avis, il y a deux raisons. Premièrement, étant des pièces
uniques, de musée, elles sont inaccessibles, alors qu’il y a
au moins un dollar 1911 entre les mains d’un collectionneur.
Deuxièmement, bien que les Canadiens aient dû attendre
près d’un quart de siècle pour avoir un dollar en argent,
beaucoup de pièces d’or de 5 et 10 dollars ont été fappées
en 1912, 1913 et 1914. Ainsi, ils ne sont plus des curiosités
et ne sont pas rares.
Pour souligner le 100e anniversaire de cette importante
année numismatique que fut 1911, la Monnaie royale
canadienne a émis un ensemble numismatique contenant
des pièces au double millésime 1911-2011 (fig. 20). Celuici comprend une réplique du « dollar qui n’a jamais existé ».
Notas :
1. Ironique parce qu’en 1988 ce sera le Parti progressiste-conservateur
qui négocie un accord de libre-échange avec les États-Unis, et les libéraux
s’y opposent.
2. Bien qu’autorisée par la Loi sur la monnaie, la production de pièces de
2½ dollars et de 20 dollars a été mise au rancart.
Sources :
Aaron, Robert. “The 1911 pattern – Canada’s first silver dollar,” The
Canadian Numismatic Journal, 21.6, (June 1976): 225-228.
Banning, Ted. “1911’s false start for the silver dollar,” Canadian Coin
News, 48, 21 (Feb. 1 to 14, 2011): 14.
Cross, W.K. A Charlton Standard Catalogue, Canadian Coins. 62nd ed.
Toronto, ON: The Charlton Press, 2008.
Haxby, James A. The Royal Canadian Mint and Canadian Coinage,
Striking Impressions. 2nd ed. Canada: Royal Canadian Mint, 1986.
The Illustrated London News, 138, 3766 (June 24, 1911)
Krause, Chester L. and Mishler, Clifford. 1998 Standard Catalog of World
Coins 1901-Present. 25th Anniversary ed. Iola, WI, U.S.A.: Krause
Publications, 1998.
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http://www.diverseequities.com/index.php?item=2 [2011-06-21]
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canadian_federal_election_1911 [2011-0622]
http://www.jstor.org/pss/138903 [2011-06-22]
http://jewelry.ha.com/c/press-release.zx?releaseId=297 [2011-06-21]
http://www.mapleleafweb.com/old/election/federal/top-five/1911/
index.html [2011-06-23]
http://meerutup.tripod.com/durbar/ [2011-07-12]
2-by-2s – continued from page 197
coins once belonged to a junior collector, who had not
been shown how to use 2-by-2s properly. If you are an
experienced collector, please take the time to teach new
collectors (juniors and adults alike) how to best use 2by-2s so that, like many of us, they will not ruin a nice
coin that got too close to the sharp, exposed end of a
staple!
[July/August 2011]
– 215
The prime ministers of 1911
Les premiers ministres de 1911
by Ron Cheek
par Ron Cheek
A
s we have seen, the year 1911 saw two great
Canadian prime ministers, Sir Wilfrid Laurier and
Sir Robert Borden. The first was defeated after
occupying the highest elected office in the land for 15
uninterrupted years, the longest in our history. The other
took over and continued as prime minister until his
retirement in 1920
Both prime minister have, for many years, been
honoured on our bank notes: Laurier on the 5-dollar note,
Borden on the 100-dollar note.
Sir Wilfrid Laurier would never again be prime minister
after his defeat in 1911. He would, however, remain a
member of parliament and leader of the Opposition for
the rest of his life. He died in 1919 having served an
astounding 45 years as a member of the House of
Commons. Arguably Canada’s greatest statesman, Laurier
was devoted to unifying French and English Canadians.
He was a master of negotiation and of the art of
compromise. As Canada’s first French-Canadian prime
minister, he was fluently bilingual. He was a great orator
in both languages. Laurier attended Queen Victoria’s
diamond-jubilee celebrations in London in 1897. Having
previously expressed his desire not to be knighted (in
accordance with Liberal Party tradition), when he arrived
in England, he found preparations were already in place.
Reluctantly, he accepted the knighthood and returned to
Canada as Sir Wilfrid Laurier. Sir Wilfrid’s 15 years of
leadership spanned a “golden era” of industrial and
agricultural development and growth in Canada. The West
was opened up to immigration. In 1905, Laurier presided
over the creation of two new provinces, Alberta and
Saskatchewan. But despite support from these two
provinces in the 1911 election, Laurier was defeated on
the issue of free trade.
Sir Robert Borden, a Nova Scotian, spent his early years
as a teacher and a lawyer. Not the orator that Laurier was,
Borden possessed other skills that led to his becoming
one of our great prime ministers. He was methodical,
efficient, and an incredibly hard worker. First elected to
the House of Commons in 1896, he went on to become
Leader of the Opposition and, following his 1911 victory,
prime minister for nine years. Knighted by King George V
in 1914 (our last prime minister to receive that honour),
Sir Robert Borden led Canada through the First World
War, eventually committing 500,000 troops to the war
effort. Borden insisted on a role in the Imperial War
Cabinet. The issue of mandatory military service
(conscription) arose in 1917, bitterly dividing the country
216 –
[July/August 2011]
C
omme nous l’avons constaté, l’année 1911 a vu deux
grands premiers ministres du Canada, sir Wilfrid
Laurier et sir Robert Borden. Le premier est défait
après avoir occupé la plus haute fonction élective pendant
15 ans, sans interruption, la plus longue de notre histoire.
L’autre prend la relève et continue comme premier ministre
jusqu’à sa retraite en 1920.
Laurier et Borden sont tous deux honorés sur nos billets
de banque. On retrouve le portrait de Laurier sur le billet
de 5 dollars et celui de Borden sur le billet de 100 dollars.
Sir Wilfrid Laurier ne sera plus jamais premier ministre
après sa défaite de 1911. Il demeure toutefois membre du
parlement et le chef de l’opposition pour le reste de sa vie.
Il meurt en 1919 après avoir servi 45 années incroyables
en tant que membre de la chambre des communes. Sans
doute le plus grand homme d’État du Canada, Laurier s’est
consacré à unir Canadiens-français et Canadiens-anglais.
Il est maître de la négociation et de l’art du compromis.
En tant que premier premier-ministre canadien-français,
il est aussi parfaitement bilingue. Il est un grand orateur
dans les deux langues. Laurier participe aux célébrations
du jubilé de diamant de la reine Victoria, à Londres, en
1897. Bien qu’il ait déjà exprimé son désir de ne pas être
anobli (conformément à la tradition du Parti libéral), il
trouve que des préparatifs à cet effet son déjà en place à
son arrivé en Angleterre. Il accepte, avec réticence, le titre
de chevalier et revient au Canada comme « sir Wilfrid
Laurier ». Les 15 années de chefferie de sir Wilfrid ont été
« l’âge d’or » pour la croissance au Canada ainsi que le
développement industriel et agricole. L’Ouest a ouvert ses
portes à l’immigration et, en 1905, Laurier préside à la
création de deux nouvelles provinces, l’Alberta et la
Saskatchewan. Malgré le soutien de ces deux provinces à
l’élection de 1911, Laurier est défait sur la question du
libre-échange.
Originaire de la Nouvelle-Écosse, sir Robert Borden
passe ses premières années en tant que professeur et ensuite
avocat. Il n’est pas l’orateur que Laurier était, mais Borden
possède d’autres compétences qui l’ont mené à devenir
l’un de nos grands premiers ministres. Il est méthodique,
efficace, et un travailleur acharné. D’abord élu à la chambre
des communes en 1896, il devient chef de l’opposition et,
après sa victoire de 1911, premier ministre pendant neuf
ans. Sacré chevalier par le roi George V en 1914 (notre
dernier premier ministre à recevoir cet honneur), sir Robert
Borden mène le Canada pendant la Première Guerre
mondiale, et commet éventuellement 500 000 soldats à
l’effort de guerre. Borden insiste sur un rôle dans le cabinet
Courtesy of the Bank of Canada
Prime ministers
Laurier and Borden
found their way onto
our bank notes with
the “Scenes of
Canada” series,
respectively in 1972
and 1975. The notes
shown here are from
the current
“Canadian Journey”
series.
-------------------------Les premiers
ministres Laurier et
Borden ont prit leur
place sur notre
papier-monnaie
avec la série
« Scènes du
Canada »,
respectivement en
1972 et 1975. Les
billets montrés ici
sont de la série
courante, « l’Épopée
canadienne ».
along linguistic lines. Quebecers were especially opposed.
The Liberal Party itself was split. Borden proposed a
coalition government and convinced some of the Liberal
members to join. The coalition Unionist Party government
won the 1917 election and brought in conscription. Both
during the war and when it ended, Borden lost no
opportunity to remind Britain of Canada’s contribution.
Insisting that Canada ratify the Treaty of Versailles as an
independent nation, Borden went on to achieve full
Dominion status for the country. He was instrumental in
transitioning the British Empire into the British
Commonwealth of Nations. During Borden’s tenure,
women gained the right to vote. But Borden and the
Unionist government are also remembered for bringing
in the “temporary” wartime income tax, Canada’s first
direct taxation measure.
Sources:
http://www.canadaonline.about.com [2011-06-22]
de guerre impérial. La question du service militaire
obligatoire (la conscription) est née en 1917, divisant
amèrement le pays selon des lignes linguistiques, les
Québécois étant particulièrement opposés. Le Parti libéral
lui-même est divisé. Borden propose un gouvernement
de coalition et convainc certains députés libéraux à le
joindre. Le gouvernement de coalition du Parti unioniste
remporte l’élection de 1917 et introduit la conscription.
Tant pendant la guerre qu’après, Borden ne perd aucune
occasion de rappeler à la Grande-Bretagne la contribution
du Canada. Insistant sur le fait que le Canada ratifie le
traité de Versailles comme nation indépendante, Borden
réussit à obtenir le statut de Dominion intégral pour le
pays. Il contribue à la transition de l’Empire britannique
au Commonwealth britannique des nations. C’est pendant
le mandat de Borden que les femmes obtiennent le droit
de vote. Mais on se rappelle aussi que c’est Borden et son
gouvernement unioniste qui ont introduit un impôt sur le
revenu « temporaire », pour la guerre, la première mesure
de fiscalité directe au Canada.
[July/August 2011]
– 217
by Major (Ret’d) Serge Pelletier
[ED: Because of the length of this story, we have decided to break it into four parts, to be published over the next few months.]
T
hree centuries ago, Europe was at war and the town of Tournai found itself right in the middle of it. Under siege, the
governor of the town, Lieutenant-General Marquis de Surville, was forced to issue money after the coffers had gone
dry. This obsidional money (that is, emergency money issued by defenders of cities that are besieged) will take us
back in time and enable us to study this period in history, revealing controversy and intrigue.
Tournai
Located in the lowlands of Belgium at the southern limits of the Flemish plains, Tournai is 85 kilometres southwest of
Brussels. Founded by the Romans, Tornacum, as it was known, is situated where the Roman road from Cologne (on the
Rhine) to Boulogne (on the coast) crossed the river Scheldt. Fortified under Maximian in the 3rd century when the Roman
limes1 was withdrawn to the string of outposts along the road. The Salian Franks took possession two centuries later and,
in 432, Childeric the First made it the capital of his empire.2 In 1862, Charles the Bald, first king of Western Francia3 and
later Holy Roman Emperor, made Tournai the seat of the County of Flanders.
The 11th century saw the development of an important woollen cloth
industry based on English wool. The wealth created fed a desire for
independence from the local counts. This independence was achieved
in 1287 when it became the seigneurie de Tournaisis, directly
subordinated to the French king. The city’s textile trade boomed in the
15th century and Tournai became an important supplier of tapestry. It
became the only Belgian city ever to have been ruled by an English king
1. Model of the fortress. 2. Coat of arms of Tournai.
218 –
[July/August 2011]
3. Brabant, Duchy. Silver ducaton 1675, featuring King Charles II of Spain on the
obverse and his crowned shield accosted by lions on the reverse. 4. King Charles II
of Spain (1661-1700) by Don Juan Carreño de Miranda.
when it was conquered by Henry VIII in 1513.
The city was handed back to the French in
1519.
In 1521, Emperor Charles V added the city
to his possessions in the Low Countries. A
period of religious strife and economic decline
followed and Tournai became a bulwark of
Calvinism. It was conquered in 1581 by the
Duke of Parma, the Spanish governor of the
Low Countries, after a prolonged siege.
One century later, in 1668, the Treaty of
Aachen returned the city to France, which was
then ruled by Louis XIV. Then the War of the
Spanish Succession broke out. It is here that
our story begins.
The War of the Spanish
Succession
The War of the Spanish Succession began
in 1701 following the death of Charles II of
Spain. That a war broke out to settle the
succession was no surprise since Charles II
had been mentally and physically infirm from
a very young age, and had been unable to
produce an heir. Who would inherit the
Spanish kingdoms (which included not only
Spain, but also dominions in Italy, the Low
Countries, and the Americas)? Two dynasties
laid claim to the Spanish throne: the French
Bourbons and the Austrian Habsburgs; both
royal families were closely related to the late
Philip IV of Spain (see Fig. 5).
[July/August 2011]
– 219
5. Family tree showing the relationships between the claimants to the
throne during the War of the Spanish succession.
6. Louis le Grand Dauphin, son of Louis XIV.
220 –
[July/August 2011]
The most direct and legitimate successor was Louis le
Grand, Dauphin, the only legitimate son of King Louis XIV
of France and Spanish princess Maria Theresa (Charles II’s
elder half-sister). In addition, Louis XIV was a first cousin
of his wife, Maria Theresa, and of King Charles II, since
the French king’s mother was princess Anne of Austria, the
sister of King Philip IV. But the Dauphin was next in the
French line of succession as well, which was a problem: if
he inherited both realms, he would control a vast empire
that would threaten the balance of power in Europe. Some
said that the Dauphin’s claim was not valid because both
Anne and Maria Theresa had renounced their rights to the
Spanish succession when they married. However, in Maria
Theresa’s case, the renunciation was widely seen as invalid,
since it had been predicated upon Spain’s payment of the
Infanta’s4 dowry, which was never paid.
Another candidate for the Spanish throne was Leopold
the First of the Austrian Habsburg lineage, the Holy Roman
Emperor. He was a first cousin of Charles II since his mother
was a sister of Philip IV. According to Philip IV’s will, the
Austrian line was to inherit the Spanish kingdoms. This
would also cause a problem since Leopold’s inheritance of
the kingdoms would reunite the powerful Spanish-Austrian
Habsburg Empire of the 16th century. Such a reunification
would be a great threat to the European balance of power. It
was for this reason that, only three years after Charles II
ascended to the Spanish throne (in 1668), Leopold agreed
to the partition of the Spanish territories between the
Bourbons and the Habsburgs, even though Philip IV’s will
entitled him to the entire inheritance.5
When Joseph Ferdinand, the Electoral Prince of Bavaria,
was born in 1692, yet another candidate for the Spanish
throne emerged. His mother, Maria Antonia, was Leopold
I’s daughter (by his first marriage to Philip IV of Spain’s
younger daughter, Margaret Theresa). Since he was from a
female lineage, he belonged to neither the Habsburg nor the
Bourbon dynasties, but to the Wittelsbach dynasty. Thus
the likelihood of merging with either France or Austria was
low. Although Leopold the First and Louis XIV were both
willing to defer their claims to a junior line of their family
— Leopold to his younger son, the Archduke Charles, and
Louis to the Dauphin’s younger son, the Duc d’Anjou —
the Bavarian prince remained a far less threatening
candidate. Because he would have been the lawful heir to
the Spanish throne under Philip IV’s will, Prince Joseph
Ferdinand soon became the preferred choice of England and
the Netherlands, who felt they had a voice in the matter.
Exhausted by the War of the Grand Alliance, which came
to a close in 1697, England and France agreed to the First
Partition Treaty. This treaty named Joseph Ferdinand heir
to the Spanish throne, and divided the Spanish territories in
Italy and the Low Countries between France and Austria.
Unfortunately, Spain had not been consulted during the
negotiations. When Charles II heard of the treaty, he named
Joseph Ferdinand as his heir to the WHOLE empire. Sadly,
in 1699, the young Bavarian prince abruptly died of
smallpox.
7. Holy Roman Emperor Leopold I (the Hogmouthed) in armour, with
commander’s staff. 8. Austria, medallic gold 15 ducats ND (1666-1705),
Hall Mint, laureate bust of Leopold I right, wearing chain of the Order of the
Golden Fleece.
England and France soon ratified the Second Partition
Treaty according to which the Spanish Empire went to the
Archduke Charles, except for the Italian territories, which
went to France. The Austrians, who had not been party to
the treaty, were displeased. Indeed, they were most interested
in the richer, closer, and more governable Italian territories
and they openly vied for the whole of Spain.
In Spain, distaste for the treaty was even greater; the
courtiers were unified in opposing partition, but divided on
whether the throne should go to a Habsburg or a Bourbon.
The pro-French statesmen, however, were in a majority, and
in October 1700, Charles II agreed to bequeath all of his
territory to the Duc d’Anjou. Charles took steps to prevent
the union of France and Spain by stipulating that, should
Anjou inherit the French throne, Spain would go to his
younger brother, the Duc de Berri. After Anjou and his
brother, the Archduke Charles was to be next in the line of
succession.
So, when Charles II died, the Duc d’Anjou ascended to
the throne as Philip V of Spain and ruled over the entire
Spanish Empire, contrary to the Second Partition Treaty.
Needless to say, England and Austria were not pleased. War
erupted.
[July/August 2011]
– 221
9. Plan of the town of Tournai showing surrounding fortifications and the citadel located south of town.
The siege of Tournai
Skipping ahead a few years, the Duke of Marlborough
(England) and Prince Eugene (Savoy) had united their armies
and crushed the French at the Battle of Oudenarde and then
proceeded to capture Lille (1708). These defeats led France
to the brink of ruin. Forced to negotiate, Louis XIV sent his
foreign minister, the Marquis de Torcy, to meet the Allied
commanders at The Hague. France agreed to surrender Spain
and all its territories to the Allies, but requested to keep
Naples (in Italy). King Louis XIV was even prepared to
furnish money to help expel Philip V from Spain. But the
Allies wanted more humiliating conditions: they demanded
that Louis use the French army to dethrone his own grandson.
Louis ceased all negotiations and chose to continue fighting
until the bitter end.
The winter of 1708-09 had been severe and France was
suffering from food shortages. The French considered going
on the offensive by retaking Lille or Courtrai, but these plans
had to be shelved in view of the supply problems and low
morale in the French army. Instead, the French commander,
Maréchal de Villars, reinforced Tournai and Ypres and
entrenched himself between Douai and Béthune.
Meanwhile, in the Allied camp, Prince Eugene and
222 –
[July/August 2011]
Marlborough held a conseil de guerre to decide what to do.
They considered four options: 1º attack de Villars in his
entrenched camp, 2º attack Béthune and Air, 3º besiege
Ypres, or 4º besiege Tournai. The first option was judged to
be too hazardous, and the second to be too difficult to sustain,
leaving them to decide which city to besiege. Sicco van
Goslinga, who was the Dutch Republic’s representative
alongside Marlborough and thus present at the conseil de
guerre, wrote:
We had been ascertained that Ypres had been readied for a long
and vigourous defence and that, to the contrary, Tournai had but
a weak garrison for a place of its importance: it is true that it is
one of the strongest places in the Universe, which is why M. de
Villars had neglected it, but the walls do not defend themselves.
The Duke [Marlborough] was in favour of besieging Ypres, the
Prince [Eugene] Tournai. […] The main reasons for this choice
were 1º the extreme weakness of the garrison. 2º the importance
of the place. 3º the ease and safety of [sustainment] convoys.
4º the terrain which made impossible the lift of the siege through
battle. 5º the safety of Brabant resulting from this siege.6 (Evertsz
and Delprat 1857, 104)
As indicated in van Goslinga’s comments, Tournai was
considered to be a very strong fortress having been
strengthened by Vauban7 since its capture by the French in
1667. Cut in half by the Scheldt River, the town retained its
medieval walls, which had been adapted for defence against
10. Southern Low Countries. Silver medal issued in 1702 to
commemorate the inauguration of Philip V in Brussels.
Philip V’s coinage varied greatly, in its artistic quality, in the quality
of its strike, and in the number of countries that issued it.
11. Spain. Beatufiul silver 8 reales 1728, Segovia. 12. Mexico.
Silver 8 reales “Pillar Dollar”1740. 13. Spain. Gold 2 escudos
1741, Sevilla. 14. Peru. Silver 8 reales “cob” 1735, Lima.
[July/August 2011]
– 223
artillery by a series of demi-lunes8 and hornworks.9
The Marquis de Surville, an experienced commander,
had been given the task of defending the town with
7,000 men. Mesgrigny, the engineer who
had designed the citadel, was among
the defenders. The ditch 10 had
been flooded on the north side
of the river and was
protected everywhere by a
strong covered way. 11
On June 27, 1709, the
Duke of Marlborough
besieged the town with
40,000 men, while
Prince Eugene covered
with his forces.
The battle began
the night of July 7-8
with three attacks: one
against the northwest
corner of the town and
two in the south on either
side of the Scheldt River.
For days, Marlborough
concentrated his hundred guns on
the stretch of rampart by the Porte
de Valenciennes, between the citadel
and the river, battering a breach in the
wall. The French fought back using
the pre-dug countermines, 12
starting in the citadel, making
sorties and destroying some
of the Allies’ advance
works. On July 25, the
covered way was
assaulted and, a few
days later, the demilune in front of the
Porte de Valenciennes
was captured by the
Allies. On July 28,
de Surville, facing the
prospect of a general
assault, surrendered the
town and retreated into the
citadel with his surviving
4,500 men.
Although the siege had been
far from easy for the Allies, the
battle for the citadel was much
t o u g h e r. T h e F r e n c h u s e d t h e
countermines that led outwards from the
citadel as points from which to start digging more tunnels
224 –
[July/August 2011]
15. Prince Euguene of Savoy on a 1717 silver medal issued to mark the
siege and capture of Belgrade and the victory over the Turks.
16. Copper medal struck for the death of the Duke of Marlborough
to detonate mines under the Allies’
batteries and trenches. The Allies
were met with continuous
resistance in the form of
exploding mines and sorties
from the garrison. Losing
ground, the Allies set
about to batter three of
the citadel’s bastions,
two on the outer side
and one on the town
side, with their guns.
On August 31, the
breaches were deemed
practicable and the
French were forced
to open talks. They
surrendered and marched
out on September 3, having
held out for 69 days. They
had taken 3,800 casualties and
had inflicted 5,400 on the Allies,
making this one of the bloodiest sieges
of the war.
We saw that, according to van Goslinga,
the Allies chose to besiege Tournai
because of its “extreme
weakness,” among other things.
This was confirmed on the
French side in the analysis
done by Manassès
de Maupas, Marquis
de Feuquière13 in his
memoirs. About the
1709 defence of
Tournai, Feuquière
wrote:
[…] that the lack of
attention of monsieur
de Chamillard, still
entrusted by the War
Secretary, is the essential
reason the enemies
considered this siege because
of the general shortage of the
supplies required to defend the
place.
[…] Tournai therefore found itself without
food supplies, at least in the King’s stores, to
sustain the garrison, when it fell back to the citadel where
it was obliged to surrender because of lack of bread.
17. Reverse of a beautiful silver medal issued by the Netherlands to
commemorate the capitulation of Tournai. The battle scene
clearly shows the defence works of the city.
This was monsieur de Chamillard’s first
blunder, and a major one at that.
The second was, in that he
committed similar neglect, for
salted meats, beverages,
medicines, and other things
necessary for a long defence.
The third, was that there
was no money, whether it
be for the garrison’s
regular salary, or the
extraordinary works
during the siege.
(Liskenne and Sauvan
1854, 779-780)
We will not delve
any further into the
military aspects of the
siege, but rather focus
on this last point of
Feuquière—no money was
available to pay for anything.
This, according to French
numismatist Baron de Crazannes,
was because:
During the siege of Tournai, in 1709, the
affairs of the Kingdom of France were in the
greatest disorder, and the finances drained
following the misfortune of our arms; it is not
surprising that, in the state of things, one would neglect to
provide that place with the money necessary, like the other cities
which, during this devastating war, were in the same situation.
(de Crazannes 1854, 59 Footnote 1)
When governors and commanders of besieged places
were faced with a shortage of coinage, the norm had become
to strike emergency money from their silver plate and other
metal sources. That is precisely what the governor of
Tournai, Lieutenant-General de Surville proceeded to do.
Next issue, we will talk about the obsidional coinage of
this siege.
Endnotes:
1. A limes (Limes Romanus) was a border defence that marked the
boundaries of the Roman Empire.
2. Clovis later moved the capital to Paris.
3. Which eventually became France.
4. A daughter of the ruling monarch of Spain.
5. However, when in 1689, William III of England required Leopold’s aid in
the War of the Grand Alliance against France, William promised to
support Leopold’s claim to the undivided Spanish empire.
6. All translations are those of the author.
7. Sébastien Le Prestre de Vauban (1633-1707) is considered one of the
greatest military engineers of all time, fortifying 160 places in France.
8. Half-moon outwork that protected the stretch of wall between two
bastions.
9. An outwork with two flanks and a front of two demi-bastions
(sometimes with a demi-lune). Hornworks usually protected bastions or
demi-lunes.
10. A wide trench in front of the walls that stopped attackers from
reaching the walls easily. Sometimes flooded.
11. The first line of defence, a covered path in front of the fortifications
where soldiers could fire down the glacis.
12. Countermines are tunnels dug by the defenders to hinder the
besiegers. This could involve digging under their tunnels to collapse
them, or exploding mines underneath their positions.
13. A lieutenant-general with a long and distinguished career, Feuquière
was known as the ‘Aristarque des généraux’ [the enlightened and
severe critic of generals] because the judgements he passed were
based on impartial assessments of facts, as he was not affected by
someone’s name or by the fact that the person held a higher position.
Sources cited:
de Crazannes, Chaudruc (1854). “Sur la monnaie obsidionale de Tournai,
dite de Surville,” Revue de la numismatique belge, 2e série, Tome IV.
Brussels: Librairie polytechnique d’Aug. Decq. pp. 59-70.
Evertsz, U.A. and G.H.M. Delprat, ed. (1857). Mémoires relatifs à la
[July/August 2011]
– 225
226 –
[July/August 2011]
T
here was excitement in the air on Friday, July 1st, in the
Canadian capital, Ottawa. Yes, it was Canada Day, but
Ottawa residents and visitors were even more excited
than usual… because Canada had special guests for the
festivities, the most famous of newlyweds – their Royal
Highnesses the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, known
around the world as “Will and Kate.”
Given the couple’s visit, the Royal Canadian Mint
decided to give a royal flavor to its Canada Day activities.
In addition to the traditional free face painting and catwalk
tours of the facility, the Mint put on display some of its
most beautiful coins that celebrate Canada’s close ties with
the British royalty.
A tent adjacent to the Mint’s front door housed a large
board that showed a time line illustrated by images of coins
struck by the Mint: Queen Victoria, King Edward VII, King
George V, King George VI, and
Queen Elizabeth II (from the
reverses of the 15-dollar coins
of the “Vignettes of Royalty
Series”); the laureate bust of
Queen Elizabeth II used on
Canadian coins from 1953 to
1964; the tiara bust of Her
Majesty used from 1965 to
1989; the royal diademed
portrait of Queen Elizabeth II
used from 1990 to 2002; the
reverse of the 2002 silver dollar
that features Queen Elizabeth
2. Those with impeccable timing were
able to see the Duke and Duchess of
Cambridge as they drove by the Mint.
3. Farrah-May Gendron was flipping
dogs and burgers for a good cause.
I
l y avait de l’électricité dans l’air le 1er juillet dernier.
Oui, c’était la fête du Canada mais les résidents et
visiteurs d’Ottawa étaient plus fébriles qu’à l’habitude…
probablement à cause des visiteurs de marque pour les
festivités, les nouveaux mariés les plus célèbres du monde
– Leurs Altesses Royales le duc et la duchesse de Cambridge,
mieux connus sous le surnom de « Will & Kate ».
En leur honneur, la Monnaie royale canadienne a donné
une saveur royale à ses activités de la fête du Canada. En
plus des activités traditionnelles comme le maquillage de
festivalier et la visite guidée sur la passerelle, la Monnaie
exposa certaines de leurs plus belles pièces qui soulignent
les liens étroits entre le Canada et la royauté britannique.
Dans une tente aux côtés de l’entrée principale de la
Monnaie, un énorme tableau arborait un schéma
chronologique illustré à l’aide de pièces canadiennes :
l a r e i n e Vi c t o r i a , l e r o i
Édouard VII, le roi George V,
le roi George VI et la reine
Élizabeth II (grâce aux revers
des pièces de 15 dollars de la
« Collection des vignettes
royales »); le buste lauré de Sa
Majesté utilisé sur les pièces
émises entre 1953 et 1964; le
buste au diadème de la reine
Élizabeth II utilisé de 1965 à
1989; le buste couronné utilisé
sur les monnaies émises de
2. Les chanceux ont pu apercevoir le
duc et la duchesse de Cambridge
alors qu’ils passèrent devant la
Monnaie. 3. Farrah-May Gendron
faisait cuire hot dogs et hamburgers
pour une bonne cause.
[July/August 2011]
– 227
4. On retrouve notre livre à la boutique de la Monnaie pour 89,00 $.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------4. Our book is sold at the boutique for a mere $89.00.
the Queen Mother; the reverse of the 2002 silver dollar that
marks Queen Elizabeth II’s golden jubilee; Queen Elizabeth
II’s uncrowned bust used on Canadian coins since 2003;
the splendid reverse of the gold 300-dollar coin that features
an enameled and jewel-incrusted crown, issued in 2006 to
mark Queen Elizabeth II’s 80th birthday; and the recently
released 2012 20-dollar piece that marks Her Majesty’s
diamond jubilee. At the end of the timeline, the Mint added
the three reverses of the “Continuity of the Crown Series”
that feature Prince Charles, Prince William, and Prince
Harry.
Lucky Mint visitors got a glimpse of Prince William and
his bride as they drove past the Mint on their way to, and
from, the Canada Day celebrations – if their timing was
right (Fig. 2). Indeed, the Mint’s location on Sussex Drive
places it on the route between Rideau Hall, where all royal
visitors stay, and Parliament Hill, where the official
celebrations were held.
Visitors and bystanders alike could grab a hot dog or
hamburger just outside the Mint’s gates at a barbecue set up
for the occasion. Farrah-May Gendron, the Mint’s Special
Event Coordinator, donned an apron and acted as the shortorder cook (Fig. 3). The proceeds of the sales of these
festivities staple were donated to the Government of Canada
Workplace Charitable Campaign.
The superb weather – sunny, in the mid-20s with a light
breeze – was the crowning jewel of the day and contributed
to make it a most memorable event.
1990 à 2002; le revers de la pièce de 1 dollar en argent
millésimé 2002 émise à la mémoire de la Reine-Mère, la
reine Élizabeth; le revers de la pièce de 1 dollar en argent
émise la même année pour souligner le jubilé d’or de la
reine Élizabeth II; le buste mature, non couronné, d’Élizabeth
II retrouvé sur nos monnaies depuis 2003; le revers de la
pièce en or de 300 dollars émise en 2006 pour souligner le
80e anniversaire de naissance de Sa Majesté, orné d’une
couronne émaillée; la récente pièce de 20 dollars, millésimée
2012, émise récemment pour souligner le jubilé de diamant
de la reine Élizabeth II. Au bout du schéma chronologique,
on retrouvait les revers des pièces de la collection de la
pérennité de la Couronne sur lesquels on retrouve
respectivement les princes Charles, William et Harry.
Les visiteurs les plus chanceux ont pu entrevoir – si le
moment était opportun – le prince William et son épouse
alors que leur convoi passait devant la Monnaie pour se
rendre aux célébrations de la fête du Canada. En effet,
l’emplacement de la Monnaie sur la promenade Sussex, la
situe sur la route entre Rideau Hall, où tout visiteur royal
séjourne, et la Colline du Parlement, où se tenaient les
festivités.
Les visiteurs de la Monnaie et les spectateurs pouvaient
se procurer un hot dog ou un hamburger au barbecue organisé
pour l’occasion, juste à l’extérieur de la porte de la Monnaie.
Farrah-May Gendron, la coordinatrice des évènements
spéciaux à la Monnaie, agissait comme cuisinière pour
l’occasion (fig. 3). L’argent des recettes de ce barbecue fut
versé à la Campagne de charité en milieu de travail du
gouvernement du Canada.
La superbe météo – ensoleillé, avec une température dans
les 25 degrés avec une légère brise – contribua largement à
rendre ce moment inoubliable.
5. Without a doubt, the most sold item at the Mint boutique on Canada Day: the
colourized commemorative 25-cent piece that bears the photo of “Will & Kate.”
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------5. Sans contredit l’article le plus vendu à la boutique de la Monnaie lors de la fête
du Canada fut cette pièce de 25 cents coloriée qui arbore la photo de « Will &
Kate ».
228 –
[July/August 2011]
[July/August 2011]
– 229
News from Windsor
RCNA convention
by Serge Pelletier
J
ust a pleasure! That is how most attendees of the
Royal Canadian Numismatic Association’s (RCNA)
annual convention held at the St. Clair Centre for
the Arts, in Windsor, Ontario, summarized the four-day
event.
Held from July 14th to 17th, the convention started off
with a bang on the Thursday with a one-day seminar on
“tokens, Canada’s other money.” Paul Petch, president of
the Ontario Numismatic Association, kicked off the lectures
with his own on “Token Enthusiasm: The Colonial Coinages
Authors.” Scott Douglas followed with his lecture entitled
“Merchant Tokens and Due Bills.” Paul Berry, Chief Curator
of the National Currency Collection of the Bank of Canada
revisited the Wellington tokens in his presentation. After
lunch, 16-year old Ermin Chow, of Edmonton, Alberta,
presented James E. Charlton’s article entitled “Wampum to
Tokens, Beaver to Loons.” Token expert Harry James
followed with a lecture on the tokens of Essex County
(Ontario). Finally, Ron Greene, of Victoria, British
Columbia, closed the day with his presentation on the tokens
of Fernie, B.C. Attendance at the lectures ranged from 20 to
40, which made the seminar a huge success.
That evening, the Royal Canadian Mint hosted a welcome
reception at the Art Gallery of Windsor where the Mint’s
president and chief executive officer, Mr. Ian E, Bennett,
assisted by RCNA president Dan Gosling, launched a 2011
commemorative dollar to mark the centennial of the strike
of the fabled 1911 pattern dollar. The commemorative piece
bears the same obverse (bust of King George V) and reverse
with the slight exceptions that the spelled-out “ONE” in the
denomination was replaced by a numeral “1,” to meet the
bilingual requirements of Canada, and that it bears the dual
dates of 1911-2011. Mintage for this coin is limited to 15,000
pieces. An accompanying set was also announced. The set
includes the 1-dollar coin as well as 50-, 25-, 10-, 5-, and 1cent coins that all bear the famous “godless”obverse of
George V. Two pieces are of particular note in this set: the
silver 5-cent “fishscale” and the large 1-cent in copper. These
sets were limited to 6,000 pieces. Prior to July 21, the dollar
and the set were only available at the convention. As of
July 22, these sets were sold-out. Following the launch,
Mr. Bennett presented a plaque to RCNA president Dan
Gosling, of Sherwood Park, Alta., that features one of those
proof silver dollars. Soon to be past-president Gosling
reciprocated by presenting Mr. Bennett an RCNA
230 –
[July/August 2011]
1. The convention medal features Willistead Manor, home of Chandler Waler,
second son of Hiram Walker (of distillery fame).
Presidential Award for his support of the Association during
Gosling’s mandate.
Friday’s activities began with the RCNA Club Delegates
Breakfast Meeting where William Waychison, of Timmins,
Ont., chairman of the Club Services Committee and
incoming president, announced that the Best Local Club
Newsletter Award had been won by the Edmonton
Numismatic Society (Roger Grove, editor) and that the Best
Regional or Specialized Club Newsletter Award had been
won – once again – by the Société numismatique de Québec
from Québec City (Renald Lefebvre, editor).
As is customary, Saturday was the busiest day, with the
bourse and displays opening to the public at 10:00 a.m. The
RCNA annual general meeting, held at 10:30 a.m., covered
the expected business including reports from several
committees, following which, Geraldine Chimirri-Russel of
Calgary, Alta., announced the results of this year’s elections.
Almost 100-year young numismatic legend, James E.
Charlton, the honorary president of the Association, then
installed the new executive committee. Changes to note are:
William Waychison, President; Canadian Coin News editor
Bret Evans, 1 st Vice President; Bob Forbes, 2 nd Vice
President; OCC member Régent St-Hilaire, Area Direcor –
Quebec Regions; and yours truly in replacement of Steve
Woodland as Area Director - Eastern Ontario.
Outgoing president Gosling bestowed several
Presidential Awards on individuals who have contributed
greatly to the Association while working in the background:
Judy Blackman of Kitchener, Ont.; William K. Cross of
Toronto, Ont.; Marvin Kay of Toronto, Ont.; Brent Mackie
2. The new Executive of the Royal Canadian Numismatic Association: (left to right) Tim Henderson, Area Director - New Brunswick & Prince Edward
Island; Brent Mackie, Area Director - Western Ontario; Bob Forbes, 2nd Vice President; Régent St-Hilaire, Area Director - Quebec Regions; William
Waychison, President; Bill Kamb, Area Director - Central USA; Jeffrey Wilson, Area Director - Newfoundland & Nova Scotia; James E. Charlton, Honorary
President; Bret Evans, 1st Vice President; Jeffrey Chapman, Area Director - Eastern USA; Henry Nienhuis, Area Director - Central Ontario; James Macleod,
Area Director - Manitoba & Nunavut; Louis Chevrier, Area Director - Quebec, Montréal Area;
Serge Pelletier, Area Director - Eastern Ontario; Dan Gosling, Immediate Past President. Were
absent: Vic Schoff, Area Director – Saskatchewan; James Williston, Area Director - Alberta &
Northwest Territories; Michael Turrini, Area Director - Western USA. 3. Ashley Tétreault, of the
RCM, proudly displays the limited-edition 1911-2011 Centennial Set. 4. Farrah-May Gendron,
of the RCM, shows the limited-edition 2011 silver dollar issued to mark centennial of the
striking of the 1911 pattern dollar. 5. Jennifer Cheung, of the RCM, proudly displays the
commemorative coin and display set that she developed and had produced for the
convention.
[July/August 2011]
– 231
6, 7. Incoming RCNA president William Waychison presents
the Jérôme H. Remick III Literary Award to Ron
Cheek. 8. Dr. Marvin Kay, chair of the CN Journal Editorial
Committee, presents the Guy Potter Literary Award to
Steve Woodland. 9. Outgoing RCNA president Dan
Gosling bestows his Presidential Award on Serge Pelletier.
232 –
[July/August 2011]
10. OCC president Steve Woodland
presents an autographed copy of moneta
Volume 1 (aka moneta – the book) to Ian E.
Bennet, president and CEO of the Royal
Canadian Mint. 11. Ron Cheek gets his firstplace ribbon autographed by the legendary
James E. Charlton. 12. Ron’s awardwinning display entitled “Are Canadian
royalty medals a thing of the past?”
13. Birthday cake made in the likeness of
the new polymer 100-dollar note presented
to James E. Charlton for his 100th birthday.
14. Nicholas Faucher proudly poses with
Michael Turrini after winning a 1936 1-dollar
coin at the Coin Kids Auction after bidding,
right out of the gate, 500 coin-kid dollars!
[July/August 2011]
– 233
of Kitchener, Ont.; Mike Marshall of Trenton, Ont.; Henry
Nienhuis of Woodbridge, Ont.; Jules Ranch of Edmonton,
Alta.; Barrie Renwick, of Calgary, Alta.; France Waychison
of Timmins, Ont.; Paul Winkler of St. Catharines, Ont.; and
yours truly.
Head Judge Tim Henderson, of Florenceville, N.B.,
announced the results of the exhibiting competition
following the general assembly after saying that this year’s
crop of exhibits was the best he had seen in his 20 some
years as head judge. The results are as follows:
• Category A - Canadian Coins & Tokens
• 1st - “Canadian 5-Cent 1951” by Henry Nienhuis
• 2nd - “Mule Train” by Christopher Boyer
• 3rd - “Four Varieties 1965 Canada One-Cent” by Connie
Clement
• Category B - Canadian Paper Money
• 1st - “Counterfeits and Countermeasures” by Robert J
Graham
• 2nd - “A Tribute to Wm. ‘Bill’ McDonald” by Ron Greene
• 3rd - “Radar Notes” by Jared Stapleton
• Category C - Canadian Medals
• 1st - “Are Canadian Royalty Medals a Thing of the Past?”
by Ron Cheek
• 2nd - “Selected Canadian Charter Bank Memorabilia”
by Colin Cutler
• 3rd - Not awarded
• Category D – Non-Canadian Coins & Tokens
• 1st - “The Journey of the Apostle Paul in Coins” by James
Zylstra
• 2nd - “Spanish-American Mints” by Ted Leitch
• 3rd - “Complete Set of Proof Buffalo Nickels” by Bill
Brandimore
• Category E – Non-Canadian Paper Money
• 1st - “The Siege of Mafeking Banknote Types of 1900”
by George S. Cuhaj
• 2nd - “China Oct 1 1914 Issue” by Colin Cutle
• 3rd - “British Hong Kong 1-Cent Banknotes” by Ermin
Chow
• Category F – Non-Canadian Medals
• 1st - “Liberty Dollars: Bona Fida or Bogus” by James
Zylstra
• 2nd - “George Meany AF of L Medal” by Colin Cutler
• Category G - Juniors (16-18 years old)
• 1st - Not awarded
• 2nd - “1967 Canadian Centennial Circulation Issues” by
Ermin Chow
• Category H - Juvenile (Under 16 years old)
• 1st - “Die Varieties of the 1899 Newfoundland 20-Cent
234 –
[July/August 2011]
Piece” by Daniel Anderson
• 2nd - “Olympic Coins” by John Siteman
• 3rd - “The Mozart of Money Art” by Sabrina Boyer
The traditional banquet followed that evening. MC
Margaret Clarke, entertained the some 90 guests. One of
the convention’s highlight was the presence – the first time
in several years – of numismatic legend James E. Charlton
who was about to turn 100 years young (on July 26).
President Gosling took the opportunity to present a memento
of the evening to Honorary President Charlton – the large
prop used on Thursday night for the launch of the
commemorative silver dollar marking the centennial of the
1911 dollar. The prop had circulated all day and was signed
on the back by well-wishers present at the convention. A
cake made in the image of the new Canadian 100-dollar
polymer note was also presented to Mr. Charlton. The
portraits of prime-minster Robert Borden were replaced on
the cake by those of Mr. Charlton. The spirited and healthy
Mr. Charlton thanked all present.
The banquet concluded with a number of award
presentations. The Jérôme H. Remick III Literary Award
for the best article published in a local Canadian coin club
newsletter went to Ron Cheek of Ottawa, Ont., for his article
entitled “This 19th-century medal reveals a transatlantic
story” published in July/August issue of moneta, the journal
of the Ottawa Coin Club. The Guy Potter Literary Award
for the best article published in the Canadian Numismatic
Journal was awarded to Steve Woodland of Ottawa, Ont.,
for his article entitled “Building your library” published in
the October issue of the Journal. The Louise Graham Club
of the Year Award was bestowed on the Calgary Numismatic
Society. The Best of Show Award went to Robert Graham
for his exhibit entitled “Counterfeits and Countermeasures.”
The Jean Bullen Award for Best Canadian Decimal Display
was presented to Henry Nienhuis, for his “Canadian 5-Cent
1951” display and the James Charlton Award for Best Junior/
Juvenile Display was presented to Daniel Anderson for his
“Die Varieties of the 1899 Newfoundland 20-Cent Piece”
display.
The highest distinction presented by the RCNA, the Paul
Fiocca Award, was presented to Dr. Marvin Kay, a past
president of the Association and the longstanding head of
the Editorial Committee. Presented for “long term
meritorious service or major contributions to the RCNA,”
the Fiocca Award is named after the late Paul Fiocca who
was not only publisher of Canadian Coin News and editor
of the Canadian Numismatic Journal, he was also a great
supporter of Canadian numismatics. Congratulations Dr.
Kay!
Then, Canada’s highest numismatic award, the J. Douglas
Ferguson Award, was bestowed to Tim Henserson, of
Florenceville, N.B. Tim is best known for having served as
A floating three-metre coin you say?
O
n August 2, the Royal Mint revealed the world’s first floating commemoration to mark the 500th anniversary of the
maiden voyage of the Mary Rose. A three-metre replica of the current Mary Rose £2 coin was positioned on the
exact spot in the Solent where the Tudor flagship sank in 1545, after 34 years of active service.
The giant coin, a reproduction of the £2 coin released by the Royal Mint earlier this year, was floated over the site
where the ship sank and was subsequently raised in 1982. The floatation was overseen by Alexzandra Hildred, a member
of the original diving and excavation team at the Mary Rose Trust, with the assistance of the Royal Navy Fleet Diving
Squadron.
The Mary Rose £2 coin will find its way into British change this year. In addition, 1,511 commemorative preciousmetal versions of the coin have been struck in 22 carat gold, reflecting the year
of the Mary Rose’s maiden voyage.
The Mary Rose is the only 16th-century warship on display
anywhere in the world. Launched in 1511, she was one of the first
ships able to fire a broadside, and was a favourite of King
Henry VIII.
After a long and successful career, she sank during an
engagement with a French fleet in 1545. Her rediscovery and
raising were seminal events in the history of maritime
archaeology.
A dedicated Mary Rose museum in Portsmouth Historic
Dockyard, remains open while the ship hall housing the
preserved wreck is temporarily closed during construction of
the new Mary Rose Museum. Some of the amazing artefacts
discovered with the great ship, remain on display.
The new Mary Rose Museum due to open late in 2012 will, for
the first time since her sinking, re-unite the ship and her contents,
fully preserved and presented in a time capsule of Tudor life at sea.
[July/August 2011]
– 235
236 –
[July/August 2011]

July/August 2011 - Ottawa Numismatic Society

Transcription

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