ROYAL CANADIAN MINT COMMEMORATES 65TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE END OF SECOND WORLD
WAR WITH 25-CENT CIRCULATION COIN FEATURING TWO STRIKING RED POPPIES

Remembrance Day collector card to benefit the Military Families Fund

OTTAWA, Oct. 25 /CNW/ - As Canada prepares for nation-wide Remembrance Day ceremonies on the 65th anniversary of the end of the Second World War, the Royal Canadian Mint, in association with the Royal Canadian Legion, is proud to issue its latest coloured circulation coin, featuring a duo of iconic red poppies; Canada's flower of remembrance. The first 2010 25-cent poppy commemorative circulation coin was presented to His Excellency David Johnston, Governor General of Canada by Royal Canadian Legion Dominion President Patricia Varga at a Rideau Hall ceremony launching the Legion's annual Poppy Campaign. The Mint and the Government of Canada also joined members of the Legion and the Canadian Forces in unveiling the coin today at regional ceremonies in Halifax, Nova Scotia; Quebec City, Quebec; Belleville Ontario; and at the Mint's facility in Winnipeg, Manitoba.

The Mint will produce up to 11 million 25-cent coloured poppy coins, which will circulate across Canada and be distributed exclusively through Canada Post's retail network, the largest in the country. Overall, more than 4,700 post offices will have the coloured poppy coins for Canadians to exchange. Canadians are also encouraged to look for this special coin in their change.

"The Mint is proud to have produced the coloured 2010 25-cent poppy circulation coin to honour Canada's veterans and active Canadian Forces members without whose sacrifices our values and freedoms could not have flourished," said Ian E. Bennett, President and CEO of the Royal Canadian Mint. "As Canada prepares to thank and remember its war veterans on the 65th anniversary of the Allied victory which ended the Second World War, collecting the 2010 25-cent poppy coin pays enduring respect to all the men and women who have served and continue to serve in the Canadian Forces."

"Canada owes its veterans a debt we can never repay and I am proud that the Mint is using its unique coin colouring technology to create vivid symbols of the sacrifices our veterans made during the Second World War and all conflicts where brave Canadians have fought for democracy and freedom," said the Honourable Rob Merrifield, Minister of State (Transport) and Minister responsible for the Royal Canadian Mint. "The 2010 25-cent poppy coin will serve to remind all Canadians of the importance of thanking our veterans and active Canadian Forces members for their selfless defence of Canada's values."

"The Royal Canadian Legion is extremely pleased that the Royal Canadian Mint has chosen Remembrance as its theme for the release of this coin. The poppy stands for remembrance and to circulate this 65th Anniversary coin demonstrates that we care about the past as well as the present and the future," said Ms. Patricia Varga, Dominion President of the Royal Canadian Legion.

"We are proud to carry these commemorative coins within our network and we hope that every Canadian will come and get theirs to honour the valour and courage of those who served this country," said Stewart Bacon, President and CEO of Canada Post.

More than one million Canadians and Newfoundlanders served in the Second World War. Of these, more than 45,000 gave their lives, and another 55,000 were wounded from 1939 to 1945 as a true world war encircled the globe from the Atlantic to the Pacific and touching the far reaches of the Arctic. Canada's soldiers fought bravely at numerous turning points in this epic conflict, including: the fateful Dieppe raid on the enemy-held coast of France; the twenty month campaign in Italy; the Allied return to Continental Europe on D-Day in 1944; and the liberation of the Netherlands 65 years ago.

The 2010 25-cent poppy coin marks the third coloured poppy circulation coin to be produced by the Mint and distributed in Canada, following the introduction of the 2004 and 2008 red poppy coins.

In addition to the circulation coin, the Royal Canadian Mint is proud to offer a Remembrance Day Collector Card as a unique commemorative keepsake which honours Canada's veterans and supports Canadian soldiers currently serving in combat operations. Available for $9.95 CDN, while quantities last, this special collector card includes the 2010 25-cent poppy circulation coin and has die-cut inserts to also hold previous coloured poppy circulation coins issued in 2004 and 2008.

For every collector card sold, the Mint will donate all profits to the Military Families Fund, which was created to assist military families faced with unforeseen and often immediate needs that have resulted due to conditions of service. This poignant collector card also includes a postage paid postcard which can be detached to send a personal message to a Canadian Forces member abroad.

This unique product is available directly from the Mint's 2010 poppy website at www.mint.ca/poppy or by calling 1-800-267-1871 in Canada or 1-800-268-6468 in the US. The coins are also available from Canada Post retail outlets and the Mint's global network of dealers and distributors.

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 and product details of the 2010 25-cent poppy circulation coin and Remembrance Day collector card are available by visiting ftp://communications:[email protected].

To locate a Canada Post retail outlet near you, please visit www.canadapost.ca. For more information on the Royal Canadian Legion, please log on to www.legion.ca.

For further information: Alex Reeves, Senior Manager, Communications, Royal Canadian Mint. [phone], [email protected]; Bob Butt, Director, Communications, Royal Canadian Legion, [phone], [email protected]; John Caines, Manager, National Media Relations, Canada Post Corporation, [phone], [email protected]