Royal Canadian Mint commemorates 50th anniversary of Canadian Coast Guard with fine silver coin

Each coin accompanied by steel from the CCGS Louis St-Laurent

SARNIA, ON, July 13, 2012 /CNW/ - The Canadian Coast Guard is celebrating 50 years of exceptional service in 2012, and the Royal Canadian Mint is delighted to mark this anniversary by issuing a 99.99 per cent fine silver coin featuring the flagship icebreaker CCGS Louis S. St-Laurent hard at work in the frozen waters of the Canadian Arctic.

"As we celebrate this special anniversary, I would like to join Canadians in honouring all former and current members of the Canadian Coast Guard for their commitment to keeping Canadian waterways safe, often while risking their own lives to do so," said Jeff Watson, Member of Parliament for Essex.  "With an eye on the future of this valuable institution, our government is pleased that the Coast Guard fleet is being renewed through investments in new tools and training, as well as building a number of new large vessels to support ongoing needs".

"On behalf of all employees at the Royal Canadian Mint, I would like to thank the men and women of the Canadian Coast Guard for their unwavering dedication in keeping Canada's waters safe and secure for half a century," said Ian E. Bennett, President and CEO of the Royal Canadian Mint.  "This fine-crafted silver coin pays tribute to their efforts as well as to the CCGS Louis S. St-Laurent's long and distinguished career."

This unique fine silver coin features detailed engraving to highlight the striking design of the CCGS Louis S. St-Laurent by artist Yves Bérubé.  The massive ship sits at the centre of the polished field, framed by a porthole window complete with engraved hinge, rivets and two locks. The porthole frame is embossed with the dates "1962" and "2012" as well as the words "CANADIAN COAST GUARD/GARDE CÔTIÈRE CANADIENNE".

Each coin is accompanied by a vial containing a small piece of steel from the bow of CCGS Louis S. St-Laurent taken during its recent refitting. This steel piece is an exceptional memento of both the history of the Canadian Coast Guard and this remarkable vessel.

Limited to a world-wide mintage of only 7,500 coins, this precious collectible retails for $129.95 CAD and can be ordered by directly contacting the Royal Canadian Mint at 1-800-267-1871 in Canada, 1-800-268-6468 in the US, or on the Internet at www.mint.ca. It is also available at the Mint's boutiques in Ottawa, Winnipeg and Vancouver as well as through the Mint's global network of dealers and distributors, including participating Canada Post outlets.

The Royal Canadian Mint has also produced 25-cent coloured collector coin celebrating the 50^th anniversary of the Canadian Coast Guard.  Available as of September, this coin can be pre-ordered now by visiting www.mint.ca.

For further information on the Canadian Coast Guard and the CCGS Louis S. St. Laurent, please see the attached backgrounder.

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 this newest Royal Canadian Mint collector coin are available by visiting ftp://communications:[email protected].

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Backgrounder

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THE CANADIAN COAST GUARD AND CCGS LOUIS S. ST-LAURENT

The Canadian Coast Guard was created in 1962 to support mariners in Canadian waters, conduct search and rescue services, maintain Canada's sovereignty in the Arctic and in coastal waters, respond to technical advances in its domain, and address issues associated with growing vessel traffic. Today, it plays a vital role in marine navigation, communications and traffic; performs icebreaking services; offers crucial search and rescue support and service; ensures the cleanup of spills and pollution from ships; manages Canadian waterways; and assists in Canadian security and sovereignty across one of the world's largest networks of maritime highways. Its services are supported and complemented by the Canadian Coast Guard Auxiliary, a volunteer organization of 4,300 people and 1,200 vessels.

CCGS Louis S. St-Laurent is named after the twelfth Prime Minister of Canada. The Coast Guard's largest and most capable icebreaking vessel was built in Montreal in 1969 and later underwent a major refit in the early 1990s. One of only two heavy-class icebreakers, its current mission includes regular summer trips to the Canadian Arctic to support both annual sealift operations and research expeditions.

CCGS Louis S. St-Laurent has had a long and distinguished career. In August of 1994 it became one of two North American surface-faring ships to reach the North Pole, carrying 60 scientists engaged in more than 30 research projects aimed at better understanding the effects of climate change.

The Royal Canadian Mint's fine silver coin celebrating the 50^th anniversary of the Canadian Coast Guard is accompanied by a vial containing a small piece of steel from the bow of CCGS Louis S. St-Laurent taken during its recent refitting. This precious collectible retails for $129.95 CAD and can be ordered by directly contacting the Royal Canadian Mint at 1-800-267-1871 in Canada, 1-800-268-6468 in the US, or on the Internet at www.mint.ca.  It is also available at the Mint's boutiques in Ottawa, Winnipeg and Vancouver as well as through the Mint's global network of dealers and distributors, including participating Canada Post outlets.

Image with caption: "Assistant Commissioner of the Canadian Coast Guard Wade E. Spurrell, Royal Canadian Mint Chair James B. Love and MP Jeff Watson (Essex) unveil a $20 fine silver collector coin celebrating 50 years of the Canadian Coast Guard at the Government Wharf in Sarnia, Ontario (July 13, 2012) . (CNW Group/Royal Canadian Mint)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20120713_C8178_PHOTO_EN_16230.jpg

Christine Aquino
Director, Communications
Royal Canadian Mint
Telephone: [phone]
Cell: [phone]
[email protected]