Memories from 40 years in the stamp and coin business
by Brian Grant Duff
1999 at Eaton’s and All Nations
The Royal Canadian Mint issued monthly millennium quarters and a $2 coin for Nunavut. Our website downtownstamps.bc.ca began. Eaton’s went bankrupt and we escaped with our merchandise the day before they locked down. Tony Ma suggested we buy All Nations from Eero Muna. Bidboard auctions continued as part of our sales at All Nations.
The Bank of Canada held auctions to fund collector banknotes. Like the proof and specimen stamps from Christie’s American Bank Note Company auction, the market eagerly absorbs the low numbers and specimen notes from Charles Moore’s Bank of Canada sale. We buy a 1935 $500 specimen in the auction and handle many items in the secondary market.
Tony Ma also suggests we buy the Bay Coin and Stamp department from Yeno Nyeste. An earthquake occurs while I am negotiating with Bay management. David Hamilton survives the earthquake at All Nations.
We learn about the mule errors in the Sept and November millennium quarters from Yeno and popularize them in a Boxing Day tv interview with Jennifer Mather. There is also a subtle mule error on the Nunavut $2 which we learn about from Sean Isaacs.
The Chalon Heads murder mystery featuring Canada’s 12d black is published were popular with their target market.
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