History of Bradford Coins and the Cairns Tourist Dollar
Summary
Bradford Coins began with John Bradford Snr's love of coins and banknotes. It opened as a Cairns coin shop in 1980 and soon added gold and silver. As one of the first coin dealers in Cairns, the business grew with the city.
In 1982, Bradford Coins & Stamps designed and registered the Cairns Tourist Dollar. That idea led to tourist dollars in other Australian cities and became part of Bradford Coins' story.
The History of Bradford Coins
Hello, I'm John Bradford Snr, founder of Bradford Coins.
My interest in coins and banknotes began when I was 20. At the time, I worked as a labourer on a cane farm and helped raise our young family.
One day, I saw a pre-decimal coin and banknote set in a case. I was hooked. I started my own collection.
In 1980, I turned my hobby into a business. Later, I learned I was among the first ten coin dealers in Australia to open a shop. I also got help from a leading dealer in Adelaide, who made what I believe was Australia's first coin catalogue. I still own the first two volumes.
Establishing Bradford Coins in Cairns
We opened our Cairns coin shop in Far North Queensland when the local population was about 20,000.
I soon saw that coins and banknotes alone would not keep the business going.
I decided to add precious metals like ++gold++and ++silver++With several goldfields near ++our shop++, this was a good fit.
Designer of the Cairns Tourist Dollar
In 1982, several Hawaiian Tourist Dollars came into our shop. They gave me the idea for a souvenir for Cairns and Australia.
We secured copyright for the Cairns, Townsville and Rockhampton Tourist Dollars. The idea spread, and other cities across Australia later made their own tourist dollars.
On 4 March 1982, we received a Certificate of Registration of a Design for the Cairns Tourist Dollar.
Original Cairns Tourist Dollar Design
The original design shows both sides of the Cairns Tourist Dollar.
Certificate of Registration
The registration certificate for the Cairns Tourist Dollar, dated 4 March 1982.
Tourist Dollar Gallery
Explore the designs of the Cairns, Townsville and Rockhampton Tourist Dollars. These keepsakes show each city's look, work, and character.
Cairns Tourist Dollar
Cairns Tourist Dollar — Obverse
Cairns Tourist Dollar — Reverse
Townsville Tourist Dollar
Townsville Tourist Dollar — Obverse
Townsville Tourist Dollar — Reverse
Rockhampton Tourist Dollar
Rockhampton Tourist Dollar — Obverse
Rockhampton Tourist Dollar — Reverse
The Legacy of Bradford Coins
From humble beginnings in 1980, Bradford Coins grew from a love of coins and banknotes into a family business. Today, it serves collectors and precious metal customers in Cairns and beyond.
The Cairns Tourist Dollar is still an important part of our history. It marks an early chapter for Bradford Coins and shows our link to Cairns, Queensland, and Australian collecting history.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
How did John Bradford Snr first become interested in coins and banknotes?
He became interested at 20 while working as a labourer on a cane farm. After he saw a pre-decimal coin and banknote set in a case, he was hooked and started his own collection.
Why did Bradford Coins expand beyond coins and banknotes into precious metals?
After opening the shop in Cairns in 1980, John Bradford Snr saw that coins and banknotes alone would not keep the business going. With nearby goldfields, gold and silver were a good fit.
What inspired the creation of the Cairns Tourist Dollar?
In 1982, several Hawaiian Tourist Dollars came into the shop. They gave John Bradford Snr the idea to make a similar souvenir for Cairns and Australia, which led to the Cairns Tourist Dollar.
What other Tourist Dollars were associated with Bradford Coins?
Bradford Coins secured copyright for the Cairns, Townsville and Rockhampton Tourist Dollars. The idea later spread, and other Australian cities made their own tourist dollars.
Why is the Cairns Tourist Dollar important to Bradford Coins' history?
The Cairns Tourist Dollar is an early and important part of the company's story. Bradford Coins has a connection to Cairns, Queensland, and Australian collecting history, part of its legacy.