WINNIPEG, Sept. 29, 2016 /CNW Telbec/ - To honour the soldiers of the Winnipeg Grenadiers and the Royal Rifles of Canada who valiantly fought to defend Hong Kong from enemy invasion in December 1941, the Royal Canadian Mint has issued a silver collector coin marking the 75th anniversary of their bravery and sacrifice. This coin was unveiled today before veterans of the Battle of Hong Kong and guests at the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba.
"This Royal Canadian Mint silver collector coin pays a lasting tribute to the bravery and resolve of the Canadians who fought to defend Hong Kong in December 1941 and whose actions remind us all of the high cost of defending our values," said the Honourable Bill Morneau, Minister of Finance. "Even though the soldiers of the Winnipeg Grenadiers and Royal Rifles of Canada had not seen combat before the Battle Hong Kong, they stood firm in the face of aggression and showed a courage that will never be forgotten."
"The Mint is proud to continue honouring Canada's veterans through coins which allow Canadians, as well as collectors around the world, to remember their incredible stories of sacrifice in defense of justice and humanity," said Sandra Hanington, President and CEO of the Royal Canadian Mint. "With a new silver coin commemorating the 75th anniversary of the Battle of Hong Kong, the Mint recognizes the dedication of Canadian soldiers who fought hard to defend our values despite overwhelming odds."
The 99.99% pure silver Battle of Hong Kong silver collector coin was designed by Canadian artist Joel Kimmel. It features two Canadian soldiers in Pacific uniform fighting on the rugged terrain of Hong Kong Island as Japanese ships massed in the waters below evoke the scale of the enemy invasion facing Commonwealth troops. The obverse of the coin features the effigy of King George VI, the monarch who reigned throughout the Second World War.
The 2016 $20 Fine Silver Coin - Second World War Battlefront Series: The Battle of Hong Kong has a limited mintage of 10,000 and retails for $89.95. It can be ordered as of today by contacting the Mint at 1-800-267-1871 in Canada, 1-800-268-6468 in the US, or online at www.mint.ca.
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 coin are available at https://www.dropbox.com/sh/ewg5ssr2befevgv/AAC8kPBkdgZeC3E1LtimGOE5a?dl=0
SOURCE Royal Canadian Mint
Image with caption: "From left: Reverend Paul Lampman, Manitoba MLA Jon Reyes, Royal Canadian Mint Board of Directors member Bonnie Staples-Lyon and Second World War veteran and former Winnipeg Grenadier George Peterson unveil a silver coin commemorating the 75th anniversary of the Battle of Hong Kong (September 29, 2016) (CNW Group/Royal Canadian Mint)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20160929_C8730_PHOTO_EN_785165.jpg
media are asked to contact: Alex Reeves, Senior Manager, Communications, Royal Canadian Mint, Telephone: 613-949-5777, [email protected]
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