Historic and timeless symbols shine on new Royal Canadian Mint collector coins

OTTAWA, Nov. 6, 2014 /CNW/ - The Royal Canadian Mint has launched a new selection of collector coins featuring a wide range of Canadian themes. Nation-building stories such as the completion of the Grand Trunk Railway and milestone birthday of father of Confederation George-Étienne Cartier, and home-grown icons such as the Canadian horse breed and the masterpieces of Cornelius Krieghoff are but a sample of uniquely Canadian stories celebrated on coins available to the public. 

"The multitude of themes and symbols which shape Canada's identity are a great source of inspiration for the Mint, which is proud to join with artists from across the country to create coins that are as memorable for their designs as for their quality and innovation," said Marc Brûlé, Interim President and CEO of the Royal Canadian Mint.  "We are delighted to help our customers discover Canada in greater detail as each new collector coin adds to the ever-growing mosaic that is the story of our nation."

As 2014 marks the 200^th anniversary of the birth of George-Étienne Cartier, who championed the rights of the people of Quebec at the 1864 Charlottetown and Quebec conferences which led to the creation of Canada in 1867, the Mint is paying tribute to this important architect of Canadian Confederation with a $20 face value fine silver coin designed by artist William Lazos. Another nation-building theme is celebrated in large scale as 2 oz. fine silver and pure gold coins designed by artist Joel Kimmel celebrate the 100^th anniversary of the completion of the transcontinental Grand Trunk Pacific Railway, which was instrumental in the settling of Canada's West.

Just as "iron horses" helped build Canada by rail, a real horse introduced to our shores 350 years ago was just as critical to our development since the days of New France. In honour of the Canadian Horse, the Mint recruited accomplished coin designer Michelle Grant to create a lively tribute to the perseverance and survival of North America's purest equine breed on an impressive half-kilogram fine silver coin.

The adventurous spirit of early Canada is also present in a set of three fine silver coins celebrating the iconic works of famed nineteenth century artist Cornelius Krieghoff. Issued in celebration of the 200^th anniversary of his birth, the coins faithfully reproduce scenes from the artist's prolific masterpieces. At the same time, the pioneering map makers who explored and charted our vast territory are honoured in the latest coin from the $15 Fine Silver Exploring Canada series, in which artist John Mantha celebrates David Thompson, who became known as "North America's greatest geographer".

Several new coins in various Mint series are being released in November, beginning with the last Canadian Dinosaurs $20 Fine Silver Coin, featuring Albertosaurus, which roamed Western Canada between 72 and 68 million years ago. Others include:

• The 2014 $20 Fine Silver and $200 Pure Gold Interconnection coins featuring Sea – The Orca by First Nations artist Andy Everson;
• The 2015 $20 Fine Silver Coin – Star Charts: The Wounded Bear by Cyril Assiniboine;
• The 25-cent Caribou coin, from the 2015 5 oz. fine silver Big Coin series;
• The Poinsettia, from the Flowers of Canada fine silver and niobium series;
• The Burrowing Owl, from the Baby Animals $20 fine silver coin series;
• A Doe and Her Fawns, from the $20 fine silver White-Tailed Deer series;
• The Battle, from a new series of $300 Platinum White-Tailed Deer coins;
• The O Canada $10 Fine Silver Coin with Gold Plating set; and
• The 2013-2014 Special Edition Uncirculated Set.

The Mint continues to pay tribute to Canada's legendary natural heritage with the following coins:

• The 2014 $20 Fine Silver Coin - Cougar: Pouncing in the Snow, designed by artist Maurade Bayton and featuring selective gold plating;
• The 2014 $5 Pure Platinum Coin – Cougar, featuring the work of Glen Loates on a new series of 1/10 oz. coins;
• The 2014 $25 Fine Silver Ultra High Relief Coin – The Fierce Canadian Lynx, by artist Pierre Leduc;
• The 2015 $20 Fine Silver Coin – Beaver at Work, featuring a John Mardon designed enhanced by vibrant colour; and
• Polar Bear and Cub, featured on a $5, 1 oz. fine silver and $10, ¼ oz. pure gold coins designed by Germaine Arnaktauyak.

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

All of these products can be ordered directly from the Mint at 1-800-267-1871 in Canada, 1-800-268-6468 in the US, or online at www.mint.ca (subject to availability). 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.

SOURCE: Royal Canadian Mint

For more information, media are asked to contact: Alex Reeves, Senior Manager, Communications, Royal Canadian Mint, Telephone: [phone], [email protected]

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