Royal Canadian Mint introduces new 25-cent circulation coin celebrating Canada's majestic Orca

Special 25-cent coin is the fourth of five commemorative circulation coins honouring Canada's legendary nature

OTTAWA, Feb. 7, 2012 /CNW/ - The Royal Canadian Mint is pleased to announce that Canadians can soon collect a new 2011-dated 25-cent circulation coin celebrating the revered and admired Orca. This new coin, which enters circulation on February 9, 2012, joins a one-dollar circulation coin dedicated to the centennial of Parks Canada; a two-dollar coin featuring Canada's Boreal Forest; and a 25-cent coin honouring the Wood Bison, in celebrating Canada's legendary nature. It will be followed by a 25-cent coin which will feature the Peregrine Falcon as this commemorative series concludes. All five of these special circulation coins are inspired by the theme of "our legendary nature" a core element of Canadian pride and identity.

"The Royal Canadian Mint is proud that its five special commemorative circulation coins, produced at its Winnipeg, Manitoba facility create a permanent tribute to Canada's legendary nature and raise awareness of this vital aspect of our heritage," said Ian E. Bennett, President and CEO of the Royal Canadian Mint. "An icon of Canada's Pacific Coast and a powerful symbol of First Nations culture which also inhabits our Atlantic waters, the Orca is a truly national treasure which belongs on a new circulation coin for Canadians to collect, learn about and enjoy."

Equally at home in Canada's Pacific and Atlantic coasts, the Orca is a highly social sea mammal, of which some populations are considered threatened or endangered. Thanks to active conservation efforts, significant Orca pods have found sanctuary near the British Columbia mainland in places such as the Gulf Islands National Park Reserve of Canada and the Gwaii Haanas National Marine Conservation Area Reserve.

In celebration of this inspiring creature, the Mint's newest 25-cent circulation coin features an artistic interpretation of an Orca which is enhanced by the addition of blue colour (symbolizing its marine habitat) on half of the 12.5 million circulation coins dedicated to this theme. The Mint remains unique in the world by being the only producer of coloured circulation coins since 2004.

The Mint will also invite members of the public to trade their loose change for the 25-cent Orca circulation coin at its boutiques in Ottawa, Winnipeg and Vancouver from February 9 to 11, 2012.

A free collector card in which all five coins in the Legendary Nature series can be kept, will also be distributed to the public at these locations, as well as the Mint's special coin exchange at the Vancouver Aquarium on February 9. While supplies last, Canadians may also visit www.mint.ca/legendary to exchange three dollars for a special "circulation pack" of twelve new Wood Bison, Orca and Peregrine Falcon circulation coins, containing two coloured and two non-coloured versions of each coin.

Our Legendary Nature Collector Coins Available
The public can also order a special uncirculated coin set as well as a variety of gold and silver collector coins complementing the compelling series of 2011 commemorative circulation coins. This selection of finely crafted, limited-edition collector coins featuring the Wood Bison; the Orca; and the Peregrine Falcon; and Canada's boreal forest includes a series of four 50-cent 1/25 ounce 99.99% pure gold coins (each retailing for $139.95 CAD) and four $10 face value 99.99% pure silver coins (each retailing for $69.95 CAD).

A sterling silver set of all three 25-cent coins featuring the colour version of the circulation coin designs (retailing for $49.95 CAD) and a special-edition uncirculated set featuring all five Legendary Nature circulation coins, including the coloured and non-coloured versions of the 25-cent coins (retailing for $23.95 CAD) are also available.

In addition to 2011 silver dollar collector products honouring the centennial of Parks Canada, these new collector coins can be directly ordered from the Mint at 1-800-267-1871 in Canada or 1-800-268-6468 in the US; on the Internet at www.mint.ca; at the Mint's boutiques in Ottawa, Winnipeg and Vancouver; or through our network of 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.

Images of the Mint's "Our Legendary Nature" circulation and collector coins are available by visiting ftp://communications:[email protected] and www.mint.ca/legendary.

For more information (media only), please contact:

Alex Reeves
Senior Manager, Communications
Telephone: [phone]
[email protected]