Canada has highlighted its endangered species with a series of bullion coins. The latest is a four-coin platinum set depicting the great blue heron.

The coins carry images of the heron in its natural settings, drawn by Quebec wildlife artist Jean-Luc Grondin. The profile of Queen Elizabeth II is on the obverse.

The four proofs, all minted in .9995 pure platinum, are one-tenth ounce, one-quarter, one-half, and a one-ounce $300 piece. The set, packaged in a mahogany box, is priced at $1,631.45.

Queries go to the Royal Canadian Mint at 1-800-267-1871 or at www.mint.ca.

Coinage of the continent.

The coinage of Canada, Mexico and the United States is cataloged and priced in the new edition of David C. Harper's 2003 North American Coins and Prices (Krause Publications, $17.95). The softbound reference summarizes recent auction prices of all the coins listed.

Listings cover coins from the colonial period to the present. More than 1,500 photographs show the differences in grade for most of the coins listed.

The introductory chapters focus on the aluminum cent, commemoratives, and the details that complicate collecting coins of Mexico. The books are available at coin shops and bookstores, and from the publisher at 1-800-258-0929.

Caps for sale.

In the early years of the 19th century, Liberty wore a cap - at least on U.S. silver coinage. The varieties of caps and portraits mounted year by year, making those coins collectible as much for intrinsic value as for curiosity.

In a Nov. 7-9 auction during the Baltimore Coin and Currency convention, a wide sampling of those capped bust coins will be sold. The trove includes dimes, half-dimes, quarters and half-dollars.

Bowers and Merena will conduct the auction. Information: 1-800-458-4646.

Catch-all sale.

In a mail bid sale, New York-based Coin Galleries will offer a range of world coins, ancient gold, and a wide range of U.S. coinage. Closing date is Nov. 7. Queries go to 212-582-5955.

Coins

Tri-State Coin Show 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Sun, Holiday Inn, Pa Turnpike Exit 26, Ft Washington.

Trenton Numismatic Club 7:30 p.m. Mon, Jewish Community Center, 999 Lower Ferry Rd, Ewing Twp, NJ.