From Robert Bateman to the Group of Seven, Canada comes alive on new Royal Canadian Mint collector coins

Addition of Canadian Coast Guard 50^th anniversary and War of 1812 themes blends history with the celebration of our natural and cultural heritage

OTTAWA, July 16, 2012 /CNW/ - The Royal Canadian Mint is pleased to announce a summer blockbuster of new coins featuring an abundance of themes and designs capturing Canada's wealth of national symbols and stories. This treasure trove of new collectibles includes the very first coins designed by Robert Bateman, Canada's dean of wildlife art, whose multiple renditions of the moose are dedicated to the 50^th anniversary of the Canadian Wildlife Federation. His iconic designs can be found on $2500 pure gold and $250 fine silver kilo coins; a $300 platinum coin; a $200 pure gold coin and a $20 fine silver coin. In all, 20 new collector products are being launched in one of the most ambitious releases of the year.

"The choice of themes and symbols by which we can celebrate Canada is as broad as its geography and the Mint is delighted to offer its customers at home and abroad a continuous variety of finely crafted collectibles," said Ian E. Bennett, President and CEO of the Royal Canadian Mint.  "Canada's historic, cultural and natural heritage is one of our greatest national treasures and it is fitting that the Mint continues to preserve these priceless elements of our identity on so many captivating collector coins."

Two of the newest Mint products now available to the public celebrate the 50^th anniversary of the founding of the Canadian Coast Guard in 1962.  The famed heavy icebreaker CCGS Louis S. St-Laurent is featured on a $20 fine silver coin designed by maritime artist Yves Bérubé , inspired by the artist's own sighting of this famous Coast Guard vessel when it once came to rescue him from an ice-bound ship. Shipping later this year but available for order now, a cupronickel 25-cent coloured coin celebrates the Canadian Coast Guard in action with bold images of red and white vessels and aircraft.

The Mint is also pleased to continue the celebration of the 200^th anniversary of the War of 1812 with a $10 fine silver coin featuring HMS Shannon, which includes selective gold plating of a cameo of the famed ship's figurehead.  As well, new kilo issues; a $2500 gold and $250 silver coin feature an imposing reproduction of the classic design of a King George III Peace Medal awarded to Britain's aboriginal allies.

Also available as of today are:

• the second issue of $20 fine silver coin from the Group of Seven series featuring Arthur Lismer's Nova Scotia Fishing Village;
• a new "Crystal Dew Drop" $20 fine silver coin featuring the Rhododendron;
• a new 1/25 oz Gold Coin celebrating the 150th anniversary of British Columbia's Cariboo Gold Rush;
• the $10 Fine Silver Praying Mantis featuring the work of the 2012 Canadian Geographic Photo Contest Grand Prize Winner;
• the special edition silver Loonie celebrating the 25^th anniversary of Canada's one-dollar circulation coin;
• a new scallop-shaped, 99.999% pure gold Blessings of Good Fortune coin featuring the Giant Panda and the newest Fine Silver Maple of Good Fortune with hologram;
• the new $1 and $2 Circulation Security Test Token Set;
• the 2012 Special Edition Specimen Set featuring Wolf Cubs; and
• the 2012 Holiday Gift Set designed by renowned Canadian graphic artist Gary Taxali, whose signature work can also be found on the Mint's annual gift sets and Tooth Fairy coin card.

Mintages, pricing and full background information on each of these products can be found at the "Shop" tab of www.mint.ca.

All of the these products are available directly from the Mint at 1-800-267-1871 in Canada, 1-800-268-6468 in the US, or online at www.mint.ca. The coins are also available at the Royal Canadian Mint's boutiques in Ottawa, Winnipeg and Vancouver, as well as through our global network of dealers and distributors, including participating Canada Post outlets.

About the Royal Canadian Mint
The Royal Canadian Mint is the Crown Corporation responsible for the minting and distribution of Canada's circulation coins. An ISO 9001-2008 certified company, the Mint is recognized as one of the largest and most versatile mints in the world, offering a wide range of specialized, high quality coinage products and related services on an international scale. For more information on the Mint, its products and services, visit www.mint.ca

Images of the Mint's newest collection are available by visiting ftp://communications:[email protected].

Alex Reeves
Senior Manager, Communications
Telephone: [phone]
[email protected]