If you have a bathtub dollar marking the year man landed on the moon, you’re in luck.
The coin, just a dollar when the Loyal Nanaimo Bathtub Society released it in 1969, can now fetch more than $100.
Since the earliest years of the tubbing sport, the bathtub society has put out a dollar designed to reflect different milestones in time for the World Championship Bathtub Race. Bought at face value the dollars can be used in select city stores.
It’s the longest-running trade dollar in the country, said Bill McGuire, Loyal Nanaimo Bathtub Society commodore, although he adds 98 per cent are never put in circulation because they’re a collector's item – like stamps or race posters.
In 1969, the society took a ‘gamble’ that man would land on the moon and struck half of its coins based on the milestone. McGuire said the dollar became “very popular.”
According to Jeff Ross, owner of the Gold Silver Guy, who has 1969 coins, the dollar commemorating the landing on the moon is the most expensive, sought after and there are fewer of them. Two trade dollars were made that year, but he said only one had an imprint over the bathtub that simply said ‘walk on the moon’ and depending on its condition today, the value can vary from as little as $40 to more than $100.
He also finds the bimetal dollars, like a twoonie, are popular.
“Most collectors who do collect them are senior citizens. They have participated or visited or seen the Bathtub races for years, so once they start the set they like to continue,” he said.
The Bathtub dollars now have a face value of $5, and can be found in bronze, silver and gold colours. This year, the society will mark its 50th year racing milestone on the dollars. The most recent medallions can be found at Gold Silver Guy on Townsite Road, or the Loyal Nanaimo Bathtub Society office by calling 250-753-7223.