Royal Canadian Mint earns Most Historically Significant Coin title at 2012 Coin of the Year awards

OTTAWA, Jan. 31, 2012 /CNW/ - The Royal Canadian Mint is pleased to add a new title to its ever-growing list of Krause Publications Coin of the Year awards, as its 2010 14-Karat Gold Coin-400th Anniversary of the Discovery of Hudson's Bay won the Most Historically Significant Coin award category. This award will be presented to the Mint on February 4, 2012 at the World Money Fair in Berlin, Germany. The Mint was also honoured to receive an outstanding seven nominations on the following categories: Best Gold Coin; Most Historically Significant Coin; Best Contemporary Event Coin; Most Popular Coin; Most Innovative Coin; Most Artistic Coin; and Most Inspirational Coin.

"The Royal Canadian Mint takes great pride in celebrating and preserving Canada's history by producing coins which are acclaimed world-wide for their craftsmanship, design and innovation," said Ian E. Bennett, President and CEO. "The recognition by Krause Publications of our 14-Karat gold coin commemorating the 400th Anniversary of the Discovery of Hudson's Bay as the Most Historically Significant Coin is the latest proof that the Mint's coins are truly unforgettable."

The historical and natural landmark which has become the namesake of the oldest commercial corporation in North America discovered in 1610 by explorer Henry Hudson is the subject of the 2010 edition of the Mint's annual 14-Karat $100 face value gold coin.  The reverse design created by Ontario artist John Mantha features Henry Hudson studying his navigational charts in his attempt to chart a new course to the Spice Islands of the Pacific Ocean.  The contours of Hudson's Bay, his eventual destination, looms overhead, framed by the dates 1610 and 2010. The coin was limited to a worldwide mintage of 5,000 pieces.

Krause Publications of the United States publishes World Coin News and Numismatic News, in addition to many acclaimed numismatic catalogues and research publications. The annual internationally recognized Coin of the Year competition established by Krause Publications receives nominations from an international consortium of mint representatives and numismatists.  The judging was conducted by an international panel of the world's leading mint officials, medalists, journalists, central bank and museum officials.

Recent Coin of the Year awards won by the Mint's world-class collector coins include:

• The Most Artistic Coin award for the 2009 $300 Gold Summer Moon Mask coin;
• The Best Silver Coin for the 2009 $20 Silver Crystal Snowflake coins;
• The Most Inspirational Coin Award for the 2008 $2500 Towards Confederation 9999 Pure Gold Kilo Coin issued in celebration of the Vancouver 2010 Winter Games;
• The overall 2008 Coin of the Year Award  and Most Innovative Coin Award for the laser-etched 2006 $50 Palladium Big Bear and Little Bear Constellation four-coin series; and
• The 2008 Most Inspirational Coin Award for the 2006 colourized $5 Fine Silver "Pink Ribbon" Coin.

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 the Mint's latest award-winning coin are available by visiting ftp://communications:[email protected].

Alex Reeves
Senior Manager, Communications
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