The E-Sylum:  Volume 10, Number 39, September 30, 2007, Article 3

REVIEW: 'THE 1858 CENTS OF PROVINCIAL CANADA' BY ROB TURNER

[With permission, reprinted below is a review by Henry Nienhuis of
the new book "The 1858 Cents of Provincial Canada" by Rob Turner.
It was published in the September 2007 issue of the CN Journal, a
publication of the Canadian Numismatic Association
(www.canadian-numismatic.org).  -Editor]

The 1858 Cents of Provincial Canada by Rob Turner is a comprehensive
ground breaking study on the first cent issued by the Province of
Canada. The author has extensively researched the 1858 1 cent and
it shows in the 338 heavily illustrated pages. The volume is
extensively footnoted and includes over 400 full colour photographs
and many beautiful antique images.

The book is a must have for any serious numismatist or collector
of Canadian coinage.

With just the right balance between historical and technical
information Rob Turner's book divides naturally into two main
areas: an historical account of the decisions and economic factors
leading to the mintage of the Provincial decimal coinage and a
detailed catalogue of the characteristics of each working die used
in the minting of the 1858 1 cent.

Turner examines the realities of 19th century British North America
from an economic perspective and then ties this information to the
details of the decision making process. He then moves on to an
extensive description of the minting procedures used by the Royal
Mint at the time. From here the author proceeds with a step by
step examination of the results of the mintage of this issue in
detail.

The full colour photographs used extensively in the catalogue
section support Turner's research and illustrate the characteristics
used to identify each working die. In addition he employs the use
of sound statistics, based on a sample of 150 random examples, to
draw conclusions on the relative scarcity of each die and die
combination. The author has included a detailed statistical analysis
in the appendix for completeness.

Turner has elevated the bar in Canadian numismatic research by
providing detailed analysis of the dies used in minting the 1858
1 cent coinage. Will others take up the challenge and produce works
following on from this foundation? Let's hope so!

The 1858 Cents of Provincial Canada is available from the author
for US$100.00 plus US$20.00 shipping and handling to Canada.
Rob Turner, 8821 La Zana Court, Fountain Valley CA USA 92708
or rob1953@cox.net

  Wayne Homren, Editor

	coinbooks.org Web

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