Completed my 1937 Canadian Matte Set

PhilArnold

I've always wanted a 1937 matte set. I had been trying to get one going for a couple of years now, but for most of that time the pieces dealers showed to me didn't excite me at all. Finally, a few months ago, things started falling into place. First with one piece, then another, and then an opportunity to snag the remaining four pieces presented itself thanks to a collector at the Toronto Coin Expo. Suddenly, I have a complete set. I'm rather proud of it. I thought I'd share it with you all.

The cent is the lowest graded piece in the set. Perhaps I'll upgrade this (and other pieces) soon enough, but the thing about this 65 is that the luster is off the charts. It's hard to depict that in one photo, but it's alive with luster and originality. There are some striations you see on the surface but they're hardly perceptible in-hand. This sold in the Belzberg sale as an ICCS SP66, and more recently sold in the Stewart Blay sale. Great pedigrees. Great little piece.

The nickel is nice, frosty and lustrous. My ideal depiction of the iconic beaver design, right down to the flourish on the 7 in 1937. The Canadian nickel has never looked better than this in my opinion.

This dime is in an old green holder. Wonderful blue obverse, lovely antique patina on the reverse.

I was going to keep things limited to SP66 as the set started taking shape, but I had the opportunity to snag this SP67 and I couldn't resist. Great original toning on the obverse, but silky smooth devices in the center of the coin. A real beauty.

I showed my set to Ian Russell and he said the half here was his favorite of the set. Nice original obverse and a colorful reverse. This was the first piece I acquired for the set and set the standard. This one is also in an old green holder.

They say ownership adds a grade, but ownership makes coins harder for me to photograph. This is especially true of the SP66 dollar, the grand finale of the set. Also in an old green holder. I couldn't capture this coin in one shot, so I had to mix two together. My first shot to capture the luster was all well and good, technically, but what really strikes you about the coin when you see it in person is how blue it is, and I had captured none of that in the lustrous shot. It almost didn't look like the coin at all. The obverse is surprisingly reflective and has a deep rich blue to it. But the full-on shot for the illuminated surfaces seemed a bit too much, so applying the colors of one shot and softening it up with the lustrous shot of the other made a more accurate representation of the piece. If I overthought every piece like I did this coin I'd never get anything done.

There you have it. It may surprise you but this might be one of my most serious forays into numismatics on a personal level. Why bother collecting much when you get to experience great coin all the time? But Canadian coins keep me connected to home in a way, and I really wanted a 37 set. Maybe it's one personal goal, maybe it's a start of an even greater collection to come.

asheland

Congratulations! That looks fantastic. I enjoyed reading this and looking at the pictures, and we know your photography is top-notch!

I’m trying to complete the six coin set of the Canadian $5 and $10 gold set from 1912 through 14.

I’m having a very difficult time finding the 1912 $10 piece.

Part of the problem is it has to be in the original hoard holder, PCGS and has to be MS 63 to match the others.

I’ve been looking for a solid two years now, so when it is found it will be very rewarding indeed!

1960NYGiants

Congrats on a beautiful set.

Greenstang

Beautiful set
I really like the full strike on the reverse of the 50 cent.
That is hard to find on business strikes in high grade.

ajaan

Outstanding.

gscoins

Unbelievably gorgeous! I am a huge fan of the quarter (and not because of the numerical grade).

Coins like these remind me why I love numismatics...

jt88

Nice looking coins.

World67

Nice!

Clio

Wow really outstanding group there. I love every one of these!

coinkat

Nice set… congrats. Not selecting a favorite coin of the set mainly because I am unable to select just one. Well played

TomB

These are fabulous designs and that is an absolutely terrific set.

Higashiyama

Agree with all the comments above. A wonderful set - it exudes character!

atom

Love the coins
Love your photos
Love your enthusiasm!
Enjoy collecting

PhilArnold

Thanks for the comments, everyonee! I’m really proud of this set.

I created my first registry set for the collection. 100% complete, but second finest.

https://www.pcgs.com/setregistry/mysetregistry/set/391117

Wish I could delete the TrueView, not that it’s bad (I’m pretty sure I shot it), but I’d like the option to keep the images in the set consistent.

TwoKopeiki

Congrats! Great looking bunch. Btw, Your link is pointing to mysetregistry (internal to your account) and breaks for anyone else trying to look at the set. Can you share the public set link?

syl

a very tough accomplishment. Great job!

PhilArnold

@TwoKopeiki said:
Congrats! Great looking bunch. Btw, Your link is pointing to mysetregistry (internal to your account) and breaks for anyone else trying to look at the set. Can you share the public set link?

Thanks for the comment. Sorry for the bad link. I'm finding the PCGS set registry set site a bit frustrating to use. I hope they get the resources they need soon.

Here's my MyCollection set, though.
https://www.mycollect.com/sets/bfc36684-301a-11f0-ad12-0660ea78a99b

Coinlover101

Nice coins Phil, gorgeous in fact. Well done!!

7Jaguars

First let me say that you have a very nice set there.
That having been said, I do not understand how these are considered matte proof as they look much more similar to satin finish. Here is an example of a matte proof 1951 GB Halfcrown (note the residual "blazing" material in the devices on reverse!):

PhilArnold

That's a good question. I just looked in Haxby's Striking Impressions and he does refer to the specimens as "satin or matte". Matte in quotations. I suppose he felt they're not all that matte either. It's just a convention now.

That half crown makes me kind of want to pursue 1937 sets from around the British Empire. A lot of countries revamped their coinage then with many outstanding designs.

7Jaguars

Well I do agree although you will really run into some stoppers as these are excessively rare. Not sure that even Norweb had a matte proof GB halfcrown. I don't recall seeing other country versions although I'm relatively certain they exist.

7Jaguars

Perhaps of interest but not that much info about the mattes is the foreword to the Canadian Norweb Sale. Discussed were differences between proof & specimen coins and how "proof" is a relative term in that not all prerequisites for making a proof were followed at all times but that very superior coins could be produced with some or many of the proof characteristics.

SmEagle1795

Beautiful set Phil, congrats!

davewesen

amazing set

does the year 1937 have significance to you?

PhilArnold

@davewesen said:
amazing set

does the year 1937 have significance to you?

Thanks.
And the only significance for me for 1937 is that it's the first date of the classic Canadian coinage designs. The 1937 sets in particular are a good entry point into getting into more rare Canadian specimen strikes. There were 1300 sets made of the matte versions, and 75 sets made of the mirror version (so mattes are more available).

Also, I've been away from Canada for 20 years now. There are lots of exciting options when it comes to coin collecting, but. I keep coming back to Canadian coins because of my personal connection to my homeland.

PhilArnold

I submitted the cent for reconsideration service and to add the Blay pedigree in addition to the Belzberg. It just upgraded from 65 to 65+. I’ll take it.

https://www.pcgs.com/cert/90035260

lordmarcovan

Fantastic looking set, Phil!