Unique coins inspired by Pan Am/Parapan Am medals
TORONTO, June 2, 2015 /CNW/ - The TORONTO 2015 Games are right on the money!
Today, the Royal Canadian Mint issued an exciting collection of collector coins to celebrate the Games. Like the Pan Am/Parapan Am medals skillfully crafted by the Mint, these new coins celebrate the diversity that the Games will bring to Canada this summer.
Three coins make up this special release of TORONTO 2015 collectibles, which include a fine silver coin incorporating the ancient technique of mokume gane. This technique, making its first-ever appearance on a coin, has been used to create an elaborate motif of Canada's national symbol. The collection also includes a gold-plated coin, which provides a rare close-up view of the detailed, multi-layered design of the gold medal from which it was inspired, and an additional silver coin with a hologram maple leaf silhouette that shimmers with colour, infusing the design with energy.
"The Royal Canadian Mint has truly outdone themselves with these timeless TORONTO 2015 collector coins, which vividly capture the spirit of a Games that will unite us, inspire us and captivate us," said Saäd Rafi, chief executive officer, TO2015. "These are tangible, precious keepsakes commemorating the People's Games and are perfect gifts for that aspiring athlete in your family."
"As we welcome the best athletes from all over the Americas to compete in the TORONTO 2015 Pan Am/Parapan Am Games, the Government of Canada is delighted that the Mint has created unforgettable coins, which capture all the pride and excitement of this defining moment in the Year of Sport in Canada," said the Honourable Bal Gosal, Minister of State (Sport). "These outstanding collectibles will live on as lasting tributes to athletic excellence, as well as to Canada's prowess in hosting world-class sports competitions."
"Canada's proud sporting history is preserved on Royal Canadian Mint coins and we are delighted to fuse symbols of the TORONTO 2015 Games with our national symbol — the maple leaf — in these finely crafted collector coins," said Sandra Hanington, president and chief executive officer, Royal Canadian Mint. "The innovative techniques used to create these coins attest to our commitment to pushing our limits, just like the athletes competing at the Games."
Each coin in this trio of keepsakes features a unique aspect of the TORONTO 2015 Games story:
THE 2015 50-CENT GOLD-PLATED COIN — TORONTO 2015 PAN AM/PARAPAN AM GAMES: CELEBRATING EXCELLENCE — Celebrating athletic achievement, this numismatic coin provides a rare close-up view of the detailed, multi-layered design that will grace every gold medal won at the TORONTO 2015 Games. It beautifully blends artistry and storytelling while capturing the energy of this historic, international multi-sport event.
THE 2015 $20 FINE SILVER COIN — TORONTO 2015 PAN AM/PARAPAN AM GAMES: UNITED WE PLAY! — Featuring the unique qualities of mokume gane to create the novel shape of a maple leaf on its reverse side, this coin incorporates the same ancient Japanese sword-making technique applied to the TORONTO 2015 Pan Am and Parapan Am Games medals. The layers of different metal alloys in the mokume gane maple leaf are united, fused together to create one useable material that is cut, forged and pressed to create its elaborate motif. The patterns are distinct and unique from one coin to another, making no two coins alike. The extra details infuse the design with energy alongside the curved lines and pictograms. The motto itself is engraved along the coin's rim in the three official languages of the Games: English, French and Spanish.
THE 2015 $20 FINE SILVER COIN — TORONTO 2015 PAN AM/PARAPAN AM GAMES: IN THE SPIRIT OF SPORTS — This coin features a flurry of maple leaves, evoking Canada's role as Host Country for the TORONTO 2015 Games, while a maple leaf silhouette at the centre of the design frames various athletes in competition. Executed as a vibrant hologram, the shimmering colour produced by this technology infuses the design with energy — just like the Games.
These collector coins are now available for purchase from preciousmetals.cibc.com, all CIBC locations across the Greater Toronto Area and mint.ca. Quantities are limited so order your coins today!
About TO2015
The TORONTO 2015 Pan American Games will take place July 10–26 and the Parapan American Games August 7–15. The TORONTO 2015 Games are funded by the Government of Canada, the Province of Ontario, as well as Lead Partner CIBC and other partners and sponsors
The TORONTO 2015 Pan Am/Parapan Am Games Organizing Committee (TO2015) is tasked with managing and delivering the Games. It is working to bring some of the world's best athletes and artists to Toronto and the Greater Golden Horseshoe region, giving Ontarians a unique chance to be part of the action, and making the region a hub for sport.
For more information about the Games, please visit TORONTO2015.org or follow @TO2015, @TO2015_fr (French) or @TO2015_es (Spanish).
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 these coins are available by visiting
ftp://communications:[email protected].
SOURCE Toronto 2015 Pan/Parapan American Games
Teddy Katz, Director, media relations and chief spokesperson, TO2015, 416.957.2117, [email protected]; Alex Reeves, Senior Manager, Communications, Royal Canadian Mint, 613.949.5777, [email protected]
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