Royal Canadian Mint Vancouver 2010 coins to be permanently displayed at
Olympic Museum

IOC President Jacques Rogge accepts coins at special ceremony

VANCOUVER, Feb. 14 /CNW Telbec/ - Today, the Royal Canadian Mint presented its Vancouver 2010 coin collection to the International Olympic Committee, to be permanently displayed at the Olympic Museum in Lausanne, Switzerland. This ceremony, which has become an Olympic Games tradition, was held at the Royal Canadian Mint Pavilion and was attended by IOC President Jacques Rogge, IOC President for Life Juan Antonio Samaranch, John Furlong, CEO of the Vancouver Organizing Committee for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games (VANOC), Minister of State for Transport, the Honourable Rob Merrifield and the Premier of British Columbia, the Honourable Gordon Campbell.

Royal Canadian Mint President and CEO Ian E. Bennett and Minister Merrifield officially presented the following coins to Jacques Rogge:

    
    -   The Vancouver 2010 circulation coin collection
    -   The Vancouver 2010 $25 sterling silver hologram collector coin
        collection
    -   The 2010 sterling silver Lucky Loonie
    -   The Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games Gold Maple Leaf and Silver
        Maple Leaf bullion coins
    

"Through our innovative and extensive coin program, the Mint endeavoured to ignite the spirit of the Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games," said Mr. Bennett. "We are honoured to be a part of the historic Olympic Museum and it is our hope that people from around the world will treasure these elegant reminders of the Mint's celebration of an exceptional moment in Canadian sporting history."

"The Royal Canadian Mint has developed a diverse and innovative coin program that celebrates Canada's Olympic heritage and the Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games," said Minister Merrifield. "These coins represent the finest in craftsmanship and will be lasting reminders of this extraordinary event in our nation's history."

As an Official Supporter of the Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games, the Royal Canadian Mint has produced the most extensive circulation coin program in relation to the Olympic Games ever conceived by any mint worldwide. Bearing designs related to the 2010 Winter Games, the first-of-its-kind circulation program includes a total of 17 coins - ten quarters honouring sports from the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games, two quarters honouring sports from the Vancouver 2010 Paralympic Winter Games, two Lucky Loonies and three quarters celebrating Canada's favourite Olympic Winter Moments of all time.

The Mint's Vancouver 2010 coin collection also includes thirty-six limited mintage gold and silver collector coins and sets, including kilo coins, featuring innovative designs and technology such as holograms and ultra-high relief. The Mint also produced the first ever gold and silver bullion coins to be issued for an Olympic Games, six of which have been released since 2007. Visit www.mint.ca/2010 for a complete product list.

About the Olympic Museum

Inaugurated in June 1993, the Olympic Museum displays sport, art and cultural collections from ancient Greece through to modern times. It is the centre of information on the Olympic Movement and preserves the heritage of the Olympic Games. Located in Lausanne, Switzerland, the Museum includes permanent collections, dedicated to the history and origins of the Games. Visit http://www.olympic.org/en/content/Olympic-Museum for further information and a virtual tour.

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. The Mint is an Official Supporter of the Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games and has undertaken to produce the most extensive circulation coin program in relation to the Olympic Games ever conceived by any mint worldwide, while also offering limited mintage collector coins and sets. Visit www.mint.ca/2010 for Vancouver 2010 keepsakes and gifts.

All coin images from today's ceremony are available at ftp://communications:[email protected] under "Mint hand-over to IOC Feb 14, 2010". For further information on these products, please visit www.mint.ca/2010.

For further information: Christine Aquino, Director, Communications, Mobile: [phone], [email protected]; Alex Reeves, Manager, Communications, Telephone: [phone], Mobile: [phone], [email protected]