The Royal Canadian Mint launches an abundant selection of collector coins in time for the fall season

OTTAWA, Oct. 16, 2014 /CNW Telbec/ - The Royal Canadian Mint has once again launched a spectacular variety of collector coins finely crafted in gold, silver and platinum. Whether commemorating Canada's role in the First and Second World Wars, celebrating the return of Canada's National Hockey League^® teams for a new hockey season or embracing the spirit of winter and the holidays, the Mint is showcasing a broad range of Canadian themes appealing to all tastes and occasions. All products announced today are available to the general public.         

"Canada is defined by its history, its pastimes and traditions, as well as its bountiful nature, and the Mint is proud to bring these themes to life on exciting new coins featuring exceptional craftsmanship and innovation," said Marc Brûlé, Interim President and CEO of the Royal Canadian Mint.  "The countless stories we have to share with Canadians and customers all over the world inspire collectibles which demonstrate our passion for reflecting Canada through the world's best collector coins."    

As Remembrance Day approaches, the Mint is continuing to honour Canada's veterans of the First and Second World Wars with coins that are as memorable for theme as their physical characteristics.  In tribute to the military service of Canadian Aboriginal men and women, the Mint has crafted an impressive five-kilogram fine silver coin replicating the National Aboriginal Veterans Monument boldly sculpted by First Nations artist Noel Lloyd Pinay, while the Mint's first-ever $1000 face value coin, crafted of 10 oz. of pure gold, features Yves Bérubé's stirring portrait of the first contingent of Canadian troops to sail for the battlefields of France and Belgium at the outset of the First World War.  Finally, a silver coin with a $5 face value features "Princess to Monarch", a Trevor Tennant's portrait of a young Princess Elizabeth inspecting troops during the Second World War, during which Canada's future monarch herself volunteered as a mechanic and truck driver as a member of the Auxiliary Territorial Service.          

Bravery of another kind is captured on a duo of coins celebrating the spirit of exploration, both past and present.  The Mint is dedicating the latest coin, its fine silver "Exploring Canada" series to West Coast exploration through artist John Mantha's illustration of George Vancouver who famously charted our Pacific coastline from 1792 to 1794.  His bold venture into unknown territory is echoed by a fine silver coin enhanced by an achromatic hologram celebrating the modern-day explorers and visionaries of the Canadian Space Agency, which marks its 25^th anniversary in 2014.   

While fall signals the return of our famous cold weather, it also brings smiles to the faces of millions of Canadians with the return of a new season of the National Hockey League^®.  To celebrate this annual rite, the Mint has launched fine silver coins honouring each of Canada's NHL teams.  Combining rich colour and 99.99% fine silver, these limited-edition coins are a great way to cheer on one's favourite Canadian team as it embarks on a new quest for the Cup. 

Before yielding to the snows of winter, fall is a special time for Canada's national emblem to shine and the Mint is celebrating the iconic maple leaf in many new ways:

• The 2015 Pure Gold Fractional Set – The Maple Leaf, honouring the silver maple;
• The 2015 Fine Silver Fractional Set – The Maple Leaf, paying tribute to the sugar maple, including a 1 oz. coin enriched by a maple leaf in translucent red enamel;
• The 2014 $20 Fine Silver Coin – Maple Leaves, featuring the first inclusion of a glow-in-the-dark maple leaf;
• The 2014 $20 Fine Silver Coin – Majestic Maple Leaves With Jade;
• The 2014 $20 Fine Silver Coin – Cougar: Perched on a Maple Tree, with maple leaves vividly coloured in a fall scheme; and
• The 2014 $5 Platinum Coin – Overlaid Majestic Maple Leaves.    

Winter brings other familiar scenes and traditions to mind which are captured on a multitude of new collector coins:

• The 2014 $20 Fine Silver Coin – Snowman, incorporating a genuine coloured venetian  glass snowman;
• The 2014 $20 Fine Silver Coin – Chickadee with Winter Berries, featuring five red Swarovski^® elements;
• The 2014 $25 Fine Silver Coin – Christmas Ornament, enhanced by "sheer effect" colouring which makes the coin glitter under light;
• The 2014 50-Cents Cupronickel Coin – Lenticular Christmas Tree;
• The 2014 $10 Fine Silver Coin – Winter Scene, illustrated in full colour;
• The 2014 $10 Fine Silver Coin – Canadian Holiday Scene from the O Canada Series; and
• The 2015 $20 Fine Silver Coin – Ice Dancer, featuring an idyllic painted scene on a 1 oz. coin crafted of 99.99% pure silver. 

The Mint shines a spotlight on Canada's famous natural heritage with these products:

• The 2014 $5 Pure Gold Coin – Cougar, in a 1/10 oz. format;
• The 2014 $1250 Pure Gold Coin – The Howling Wolf, the Mint's first half-kilogram pure gold coin;
• The 2014 $20 Fine Silver Coin –  The White-Tailed Deer: Mates;
• The 2014 $20 Fine Silver Coin –  The Majestic Moose, featuring this giant of the Canadian forest in vibrant colour; and
• The 2015 $20 Fine Silver Coin – Wolf, also celebrating a legendary animal in colour.

The Mint is also continuing some established series which include:

• The 2014 $20 Fine Silver and $200 Pure Gold Interconnection Coins featuring Air – The Thunderbird by K'ómoks First Nations artist Andy Everson;
• The 2014 $20 Fine Silver Coin - The Seven Sacred Teachings: Truth, by Nathalie Bertin; and
• The 2015 $20 Fine Silver Coin – The Great Lakes: Lake Michigan, featuring an incuse relief of the lake's depths enhanced by shimmering blue enamel.

Mintages, pricing and full background information on each product can be found on the "Shop" tab of www.mint.ca. 

All of these products can be ordered directly from the Mint at 1-800-267-1871 in Canada, 1-800-268-6468 in the US, or online at www.mint.ca (subject to availability). The coins are also available at the Royal Canadian Mint's boutiques in Ottawa, Winnipeg and Vancouver, as well as through our global network of dealers and 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

SOURCE: Royal Canadian Mint

Alex Reeves, Senior Manager, Communications, Royal Canadian MintTelephone: 613-949-5777, [email protected]

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