Innovation meets tradition as Royal Canadian Mint collector coins celebrate time-honoured symbols of Canada

OTTAWA, July 2, 2014 /CNW/ - The Royal Canadian Mint continues to combine timeless craftsmanship and modern day technology as it explores new ways to celebrate Canada's culture, history and values on its collector coins. From an impressive and seldom seen 10 oz. format to commemorate the 100^th anniversary of the First World War in fine silver, to the application of holograms, translucent enamels and crystals to celebrate the richness of Canadian culture and nature, the Mint's newest collector coins offer an abundance of compositions, finishes and themes to a growing list of customers in Canada and around the world.

"The Royal Canadian Mint prides itself on commemorating important moments in Canadian history and celebrating themes of national importance through coins which stand out for both their artistic and technical quality," said J. Marc Brûlé, Interim President and CEO of the Royal Canadian Mint. "By merging the art and science of coin manufacturing through constant innovation, we are pleased to be able to offer our customers fresh and engaging perspectives on the Canadian experience."

The Mint is helping Canadians mark the 100^th and 75^th anniversaries of the First and Second World War with two new coins. The first is a rarely seen 10 oz. fine silver coin depicting artist Yves Bérubé's illustration of the first members of the Canadian Expeditionary Force taking a last look at Canadian soil as their troop ship SS Megantic set sail for battle in Europe in October 1914. This exceptional $50 face value coin is joined by a Limited-Edition Silver Dollar paying tribute to the declaration of the Second World War with the image of a trio of female factory workers riveting the fuselage of a Lancaster bomber. This iconic scene by artist Silvia Pecota underlines the importance of the Home Front, which saw so many women employed in military manufacturing, to the Allied victory which would come in 1945.

Two continuing series in fine silver add to the celebration of history: "Exploring Canada" with a $15 face value coin featuring The Gold Rush, depicting artist John Mantha's vision of two prospectors seeking their fortune in the vast Canadian wilderness and the $5 face value "Bank Notes", celebrating the artistry of early Canadian paper money with Lion on the Mountain, inspired by a key design element from the Northern Crown Bank, which was purchased by the Royal Bank of Canada in 1918.

Multiple facets of Canadian culture are proudly displayed on a colourful variety of new coins. Aboriginal tradition figures prominently in new coins featuring the work of Coast Salish First Nations artist Darlene Gait: a hologram-enhanced coloured fine silver coin featuring salmon in a shimmering aquatic environment and striking gold and silver 5 oz. coins richly engraved with her depiction of the Legend of the Spirit Bear. Artist Nathalie Bertin, who is Métis, continues her series of selectively-gold plated coins dedicated to the Seven Sacred Teachings, with Honesty, illustrating the legend of Kitch-Sabe who inspired early North American people to speak the truth and keep promises.

The popularity of Chinese Canadian culture is celebrated on a 1/10 oz. pure gold coin and a 1 oz. fine silver coin honouring the Five Blessings. Four animals that evoke the blessings of happiness, success, joy and long life are accompanied by a Chinese symbol wishing good fortune. The silver coin is enhanced by the bold red colouration of the good fortune symbol and its geometric border transecting the coin. That same addition of red colour is found on an extremely limited 1 oz. pure gold coin bearing the same design.

Nature comes to the fore with a variety of coins featuring technological enhancements and traditional craftsmanship:¸

• The first coin in a new $5 fine silver and niobium series celebrating Flowers in Canada, featuring the Tulip by artist Bert Liverance;
• A new $20 fine silver coin from the popular Crystal Dew Drops series, featuring a coloured Red Trillium by artist Margaret Best;
• A vibrant new Maple Leaf Forever fine silver coin by artist Pierre Leduc, depicting translucently enamelled maple leaves in red and green shining out from a background in four contrasting finishes;
• The Maple Leaf Impression $20 fine silver coin featuring Canada's national symbol in bright green colour by Mint Engraver Jose Osio;
• The Majestic Moose in a 99.999% pure gold coin designed by artist Claudio D'Angelo; and
• The Red-Spotted Purple from the $20 fine silver Butterflies of Canada, capturing the work of artist Celia Godkin in vivid colour.

Prehistoric wildlife also figures in a number of new precious metal coins. The first coins in a new Prehistoric Animals series of 1/10 oz. pure gold and 1 oz. fine silver coins feature the Woolly Mammoth, depicted in two majestic poses by artist Michael Skrepnik. The Canadian Dinosaurs $20 fine silver series continues with paleoartist Julius Csotonyi's depiction of Xenoceratops Foremostensi, the newest dinosaur species to be discovered in Canada and also the oldest species of its kind to have been found on Canadian soil.

The Mint's newest collector coin offering concludes with the latest coins in the
O Canada series. Artist Bernie Brown celebrates our home-grown cowboy culture with a $10 fine silver coin named the Canadian Cowboy, while Cowboy in the Canadian Rockies adorns the $25 fine silver coin.

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]