How difficult is it to find a circulated 2013 Toonie in May of 2014? Well let me tell you - very difficult!
As the day approached for the "planting " of the 2013 time capsule, it was realized we did not have any circulated 2013 currency in the time capsule so the hunt began for five coins - one nickel, one dime, one quarter, one loonie and one toonie. The only stipulation is that they were 2013 coins.
I had managed to go through my coin collection and find a nickel and a dime - but was still missing three very important pieces. I proceeded to one bank, only to be flatly told that "no time could be taken to go through the bags of coins" to find these coins for inclusion into the capsule.
So on to the next financial institution, Innovation Credit Union in Battleford. Carol Charbonneau was extraordinary in her kindness. This lady scoured for about 20 minutes, looking through her rolls and successfully finding the needed quarter and loonie, but she could not find a 2013 toonie. With many apologies from her for not being able to find this coin, I thanked her and then proceeded to the Bank of Nova Scotia.
These women were so very willing to help find this mystery coin and they whole heartedly proceeded looking through their drawers and many rolls for this illusive coin. But about 15 minutes later, and with many customers waiting in line, the 2013 toonie could not be found.
What to do? Could the 2013 time capsule be planted without a toonie? No it could not! So on to the next bank, the RBC, where I met Donna Jopling. Now Donna is a determined woman and she would not give up until she found this coin. And find this coin - she did. With a very special "thank you" to this unshakeable lady, the City of North Battleford 2013 time capsule had its very own 2013 Toonie.
This coin will join the rest of the items in the 2013 time capsule for 100 years and will be revealed to our descendants in 2113. We hope they will be very interested in this amazing coin.
So check your piggy banks, and if you happen to come across a 2013 Toonie, consider yourself lucky that you have such a valuable coin in your possession.