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.

Here is an invitation to all new or advanced collectors of wooden money to join our association.  Download our registration form  for all the information! Please send your subscription to: C.A.W.M.C. Membership c/o: Al Munro, P.O. Box 2643, STN "M" CALGARY AB   T2P 3C1   CANADA

In modern times, wooden money was first seen in the United States in the town of Tenino, Washington. The local bank failed on December 4, 1931, and the community issued emergency 'WOODEN SCRIPT' to help residents weather the crisis. Tenino 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.

In Canada, Wooden money appeared in late nineteen fifties. It comes in a variety of shapes and sizes, the most common of woods is round, about 38mm in diameter, and printed on both sides. The first woods issued were called "Broomsticks" and were thick and stubby, looking like they were lopped off a broom handle, and usually measured 25mm in diameter. The designs of the "Broomsticks" were pressed into the wood. Most of them were varnished, with the design hard to see.

In early nineteen eighties, larger and thinner woods were stamped using a hot press. The silk screen-printing method of printing was introduced later. Today, laser printed woods are becoming popular, as the use of laser can augment the intricacy of the designs displayed on the woods.

There are also quite a few other forms of wooden money produced in this vast country. Among them are the Spruce Dollar of Prince George, B.C. with about 150 different issues, approximately 86mm in diameter. The extra large Maritime Dimes are about 140mm in diameter. The variety of woods called "Flats", made of thin or balsa or veneer wood, come in various sizes are mainly issued for Christmas.

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

In Canada, there are over 8,500 different woods listed in catalogues and supplements. And these are the ones that we know about! There are still a lot of undiscovered old woods out there turning up all the time. Collectors usually chose to collect by theme, or by province, as they wish.

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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.

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

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