The story is that certain aboriginal groups in Canada thought that the top design in the totem looked alot like their symbol for death, so they wouldn't accept the coin...bad luck.
Thanks everyone! My wife thinks it's a great looking dollar and loves the year. But I won't tell her they call it the "death dollar" 1958 was her birth year
I had my eye on one on Ebay when this thread appeared! Now I can say I have one too: Link The picture's not as good and the grade isn't stated but it looks pretty good, maybe AU or better, from what I can tell.
I think the "bad luck or death story" Haida Totem has something to do with the "order' of the faces.....because one of the figures is pictured below one of the others, implies something in their legends that means bad luck. The order on the pole represented the heirarchy or pecking order in the Haida legends and story telling. This coin is extremely difficult to find untoned in higher grades. You will see a lot of MS65's & 66's that are almost black with 'toning', however there are many Proof like examples in the PL65 range that look really nice and are very reasonable to own.
The Haidas of the Queen Charlotte Islands are one of the more artistic native tribes in North America, and it is suggested that they have genetic links to some of the Somoan (sp) peoples rather than Asian origins like the Inuit people exhibit.
This coin was minted to represent the 100th anniversary of British Columbia being established, or whatever it was called before the actual confederation in 1867, and was an important milestone because it prevented the US from annexing Vancouver Island and what is now the mainland of B.C. My history memories might be a bit faint, so let's not get all excited if I'm wrong on some technical points.
The first person in the PSA universe to complete the 1969 OPC Hockey set! Always looking to buy, trade or upgrade 1966 Topps to 1969 OPC.
Nice looking coin Brad looks PL from what I can see
Hey Popcorn sorry no bear. I am one coin shy of finishing my 1928 date set in AU/BU. All I need is the blasted florin. Been trying to get the family in Donegal to find me one so far no luck my cousin in Dublin sent me one but it was a little too worn. She is so funny she thinks coin collecting is an old man's hobby like stamps, insect hunting and bird watching. To her a coin is a coin...LOL!!!. I've got plenty of time
Here's a picture of mine that I got in the mail today. The scan makes it look a lot worse that it is. I'd say it's an AU and it has plenty of luster and a hint of toning.
Comments
Capped Bust Half Series
Capped Bust Half Dime Series
DPOTD-3
'Emancipate yourselves from mental slavery'
CU #3245 B.N.A. #428
Don
<< <i>Nice dollar, good year. Known as the 'Death Dollar' because of the raven on top of the totem pole. >>
Yes, but the story behind why it's called the 'Death Dollar' is total rubbish.
What's the death dollar story?
09/07/2006
<< <i>Nice one!
What's the death dollar story? >>
The story is that certain aboriginal groups in Canada thought that the top design in the totem looked alot like their symbol for death, so they wouldn't accept the coin...bad luck.
I can't believe these are so cheap.
Got quoins?
Larry
20th C. Type Set
1976 Proof Set
The picture's not as good and the grade isn't stated but it looks pretty good, maybe AU or better, from what I can tell.
World Coin & PM Collector
My Coin Info Pages <> My All Experts Profile
The Haidas of the Queen Charlotte Islands are one of the more artistic native tribes in North America, and it is suggested that they have genetic links to some of the Somoan (sp) peoples rather than Asian origins like the Inuit people exhibit.
This coin was minted to represent the 100th anniversary of British Columbia being established, or whatever it was called before the actual confederation in 1867, and was an important milestone because it prevented the US from annexing Vancouver Island and what is now the mainland of B.C. My history memories might be a bit faint, so let's not get all excited if I'm wrong on some technical points.
Hockey set! Always looking to buy, trade or upgrade 1966 Topps to 1969 OPC.
Hey Popcorn sorry no bear. I am one coin shy of finishing my 1928 date set in AU/BU. All I need is the blasted florin. Been trying to get the family in Donegal to find me one so far no luck my cousin in Dublin sent me one but it was a little too worn. She is so funny she thinks coin collecting is an old man's hobby like stamps, insect hunting and bird watching. To her a coin is a coin...LOL!!!. I've got plenty of time
World Coin & PM Collector
My Coin Info Pages <> My All Experts Profile