Royal Canadian Mint to issue $1 fine silver coin to celebrate
OTTAWA, June 25, 2012 /CNW/ - What has 11 sides, is brass in colour, is renowned as a good luck charm and is celebrating a birthday? Canada's iconic Loonie one-dollar coin is turning 25 on June 30th.
In 1987, Canadians said goodbye to one-dollar banknotes and welcomed the new coin in their pockets and change purses. The coin was instantly dubbed the Loonie after the solitary loon that graces the coin's reverse side. The nickname caught on and Canadians have been using it ever since.
"When it was first introduced, the one-dollar coin represented the most significant change to Canada's coinage system in over 50 years and the Mint proudly played a lead role in making it a reality," said Ian E. Bennett, President and CEO of the Royal Canadian Mint. "Looking back on how the world has evolved over the past 25 years, the Loonie has endured as a true Canadian symbol."
To celebrate this milestone birthday, the Mint has produced a $1 fine silver coin. This double-dated coin features a new loon design by Ontario artist Robert Ralph Carmichael, who designed the original Loonie. Centered around the number "25", two Common Loons swim majestically past one another, one admiring the Loonie's eventful journey over the past 25 years while the other looks to the future and the many adventures to come. Limited to a mintage of only 15,000 worldwide and retailing for $34.95 CAD, the coin also features a unique glass bead finish as its background.
As of July 16th, this coin can be ordered by directly contacting the Royal Canadian Mint at 1-800-267-1871 in Canada, 1-800-268-6468 in the US, or on the Internet at www.mint.ca. These coins will also be sold at the Mint's boutiques in Ottawa, Winnipeg and Vancouver as well as through the Mint's global network of dealers and distributors, including participating Canada Post outlets
To learn more about the history of the one-dollar coin and to see various designs which have appeared on its reverse since 1987, please visit www.mint.ca/loonie25.
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.
Christine Aquino
Director, Communications
Royal Canadian Mint
Telephone: (613) 993-9999
[email protected]
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