Valuable coins reunited with owner after being left in St. John's taxi

An Edmonton coin designerisbreathing a sigh of relief after being reunited with the valuable collection he accidentally left behind in the back of a St. John's taxi.

Joseph Green,president ofBeaverworksMint, was in townfor the LegionDominion Command Convention, spending a few days at the St. John's Convention centre toshowoff 38 silver coins dedicated to the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) and the Avro Arrow aircraft.

After a screech-in ceremony at Christian's Baron George Street Saturday night, Greentook a cab to Memorial University where he was staying in campusresidence. Butwhen the taxi pulled away,Green realized he hadleft thebag containing the coins in the back seat.

Social media, I love you.- Joseph Green

After an anxious day of pleadingfor help to get them back, the coins have been returned.

"Social media, I love you. I found the coins," Green posted on Facebook at 4:30 p.m., Sunday.

"The cabbiecalled me and has safeguarded them. He just earned a coin as did the people of Newfoundland."

According to Green, the coinswere left behind in ataxi, driven by a man with white hair. The taxi driver, with Jiffy Cabs, eventually got in touch with Green but not before the Edmonton man contactedCBC News and posted a heartfelt note of thanks on his Facebook page.

However, just a few hoursearlier,Green had been much less jovial.

"Inmy exhaustion, I made a mistake and I'm really upset and in a desperate position," he said early on Sunday.

"I'm in a really dark place.I'm a single entrepreneur, I've gone all-in with this andmaxedout all my credit and drained all my savings for this. And in one quick lapse of judgement, this happens."

Prized possession

Green was in town with the coins valued at $6,000 toraise awareness for aproject that honours the legacy of the RCAF with 100 different coin designs showing100 years of history.

The coins are described as proof quality silver, weighing one troy ounce,with gold platingand colour printing. The coins also haveserialized edge markings dedicated to the Avro Arrow aircraft.

With each sale, Green planned onallocating a 5 per centroyalty to the Edmonton Kingsway Legion to pay off the principal on the building's mortgage.

He saidoneAvro Arrowcoinrecently sold at a fundraiser for $1,675, and a portion of the proceeds went to theFort McMurrary relief effort.

Green said he was enjoying his first trip to Newfoundland very much, and would have hated to remember the experience in such a heartbreaking way. He said he plans on following through on his promise to give a coin tothe cab driver, and another to the people of the province.

"I've always wanted to be here, it's like I feel like I came home," he said of the visit.

"I love Newfoundland, and I made a horrendous mistake because I was exhausted."