Canadian Association of Wooden Money Collectors

The Canadian Association of Wooden Money Collectors (C.A.W.M.C.) is the national organization for Collectors of Canadian Wooden Money, Tokens, and Souvenir enthusiasts. We would be pleased to welcome all such persons to our membership. We hope that you will find the hobby as delightful as we do.

Wooden money comes in a variety of shapes and sizes, the most common of woods is the round, about 38mm in diameter, and printed both sides. There are also the 'Broomsticks' thick and stubby, looking like they were lopped off a broom handle, 25mm in diameter. They had the design pressed into the wood. Most of them were varnished, with the design hard to see. In the early eighties in Canada commercial hot press stamping of woods was introduced, followed by the silk screen printing method.

There are also quite a few other forms of wooden money produced in thisvast country. Among them are the Spruce Dollar of Prince George, B.C. withabout 150 different issues, approximately 86mm in diameter. The extra large Maritime Dimes are about 140mm in diameter. The thin wood veneer or balsa wood scalled flats are issued mainly for Christmas, and come in various sizes.

In Canada, there are over 5500 different woods listed in catalogues and supplements, with more every day. There are still a lot of undiscovered old woods out there turning up all the time. While many try, no one collector has them all. Many collectors seek only certain types of woods for their collections.

Collecting Canadian Wooden Money has gained greatly in popularity over the last few years. Many collectors, Coin Clubs, and other various organizations now issue woods on a regular basis for Coin Shows, Christmas. Woods for Weddings, Anniversaries, and other special occasions, are also becoming quite popular.

The appearance of woods, along with the quality has improved over the last few years. Many woods are now hot stamped or silk screened, with the details greatly improved, and the designs more elaborate. There is also an increase in the number of issues per year.

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• You will receive news letters containing up to date information, news, advertising, and articles of interest to all Wooden Money Collectors.
• You will meet, correspond and cultivate friendships with other C.A.W.M.C. members among whom are some of the best known numismatists and dealers in Canada.
• You will be able to advertise your duplicate wooden money, for sale or trade, in Timber Talk.
• You will be advised of where to write to acquire new wood issues, whenever that information becomes available.
• You will become a more knowledgeable collector and thus be able to enjoy and contribute to the betterment of the hobby.
• You will be informed about changes to the Wooden Money listings as they become available.
• You will be entitled to bid on woods that are in the C.A.W.M.C. mail auctions.

The collecting of Canadian Wooden Money, Tokens, and Souvenirs is a fascinating inexpensive hobby, enjoyed by hundreds of people across this country. Regional and national meetings every year enables collectors to get together and compare notes, trade 'WOODEN NICKELS' and generally have a good time.

Wooden Money collecting in Canada, is generally a phenomena of the twentieth century. It had it's beginnings in the United States in the town of Tenino, Washington. The bank failed on December 4, 1931, and the community issued emergency 'WOODEN SCRIPT' to help residents weather the crisis. Tenino also used wooden tokens for the state sales tax system.

The first printing of Souvenir Wooden Money took place for the Chicago Worlds Fair in 1933, after which many other communities picked up the idea and issued souvenir wooden tokens.

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• American Numismatic Association
• Royal Canadian Mint
• Canadian Coin News

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                 For membership application, check here:
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                 CAWMC DUES ARE FOR ONE YEAR'S MEMBERSHIP, JANUARY TO DECEMBER

                 Canadian Residents: .................. $ 10.00 Canadian Funds
                 United States Residents: ............. $ 10.00 U.S. Funds
                 International Members: ............... $ 20.00 Canadian Funds
                 Youth (16 Years of age and under): ... $  5.00 Canadian Funds

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