BANFF, AB, Jan. 11, 2014 /CNW/ - The Royal Canadian Mint is proud to issue Canada's latest commemorative circulation coin, the 2014 Lucky Loonie. The coin was unveiled today at the Canadian Olympic Team's Sochi Block Party event in Banff by Blake Richards, MP for Wild Rose, Christine Aquino, Director of Communications and Public Affairs at the Royal Canadian Mint, Steve Podborski, Sochi 2014 Chef de Mission and Jean-Luc Brassard, Assistant Chef de Mission.
"Our Government is proud to support and foster the success of our athletes on the international stage, including the Sochi 2014 Winter Games," said Mr. Richards. "The 2014 Lucky Loonie is yet another way to show our athletes that we celebrate their life-long commitment and wish them well as they represent Canada in Sochi."
"The 2014 Lucky Loonie is a special keepsake to commemorate the achievements and talent and of Canada's athletes as they compete at the Sochi 2014 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games," said Mr. Ian E. Bennett, President and CEO of the Royal Canadian Mint. "Canadians can wish our athletes luck by keeping this special coin produced by the Mint as well as create a lasting memory of Canada's participation at the Games."
In what is now a legendary tale, a Loonie was buried at centre ice prior to the 2002 Olympic Winter Games in Salt Lake City to bring good luck to Canada's gold medal-winning men's and women's ice hockey teams. The Mint has since produced a Lucky Loonie circulation coin for each subsequent Games. Each member of the Canadian team will receive a 2014 Lucky Loonie upon their arrival in Sochi.
The circulation coin features a familiar Lucky Loonie design of a loon spreading its majestic wings while sitting on rippling Canadian lake waters, bearing the year 2014. Designed by artist Emily S. Damstra, the coin also features the Canadian Olympic Team logo. Five million 2014 Lucky Loonies have been produced and will enter into circulation on January 20th. Canadians are encouraged to look for the coin in their change or visit www.mint.ca/luckyloonie.
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.
Lucky Loonie images are available by visiting ftp://communications:[email protected].
Image with caption: "Jean-Luc Brassard, Assistant Chef de Mission, Blake Richards, MP for Wild Rose, Christine Aquino, Director of Communications and Public Affairs at the Royal Canadian Mint and Steve Podborski, Sochi 2014 Chef de Mission unveil the 2014 Lucky Loonie circulation coin at the Canadian Olympic Team's Sochi Block Party event in Banff, Alberta. (CNW Group/Royal Canadian Mint)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20140111_C8165_PHOTO_EN_35454.jpg
SOURCE: Royal Canadian Mint
Alex Reeves
Senior Manager, Communications
Tel: 613-949-5777
[email protected]
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