Brand new coins
Here in the Great White North, we have two parallel sets of currency. The first bears the likeness of a monarch (not necessarily a living person). The second, a fellow in a tam with the unlikely name of Sandy McTire. The two currencies are not mutually exclusive, because up here we sometimes have trouble sorting out our banknotes with our fingers hidden in our mittens.
Today, in a move that may be a progression, an evolution or simply a blip in the world of numismatics, the first Canadian Tire Dollar Coin (“the Rim”, perhaps) was released to loyal customers who spend a minimum of $25 (the other currency). In inflation terms, this is equivalent to a payment of 4%; quite a jump from the usual 3% in these troubled economic times. I have mine, in a practical plastic folder.
I wonder when I can trade in the rest of my paper collection for these new tokens? Much more practical for burial in my backyard treasure cache.
On a sadder note, CBC has announced the death of the last of the Clancy Brothers; Liam. He was only 74. The brothers were standouts in a world where so many people sing Irish revolutionary ballads badly. I don’t think I ever saw him perform live, (although anything was possible back in the 70’s at UPEI). I did know the repertoire, and I should have bought one of those Aran knit sweaters, if only to keep warm and replace my ragged UPEI sweatshirt. Time to dig out some albums and sing along in his memory.
