October 19, 2017 – The Royal Canadian Mint has issued a two-dollar commemorative circulation coin honouring the brave Canadians who fought at the Battle of Vimy Ridge 100 years ago and paved the way to the Allied victory which ended the First World War.
From left: Military Museums Senior Curator Rory Cory, Royal Canadian Mint President and CEO Sandra Hanington, Vimy Foundation Executive Director Jeremy Diamond and Bishop Carroll High School Student Rachel Barlow unveil a $2 circulation coin commemorating the 100th anniversary of the Battle of Vimy Ridge at the Military Museums in Calgary, AB (October 5, 2017).
This special circulation coin was unveiled on October 5, 2017 at The Military Museums in Calgary.
“100 years ago, the four divisions of the Canadian Corps fought as one for the first time at the Battle of Vimy Ridge and through ingenuity, bravery and sacrifice, achieved one of the most decisive and pivotal victories of the First World War,” said the Honourable Bill Morneau, Minister of Finance. “Canadians should never forget how our nation’s soldiers came together to stand for freedom and democracy at Vimy Ridge and their story will continue to be heard thanks to the Royal Canadian Mint’s newest commemorative circulation coin.”
“The Mint is proud to continue the long-standing tradition of crafting coins which honour the sacrifices of Canadians in war time by launching a two-dollar circulation coin commemorating the 100th anniversary of the Battle of Vimy Ridge,” said Sandra Hanington, President and CEO of the Royal Canadian Mint. “With this new coin, we remember every Canadian whose unconditional service in the First World War inspired the generations which followed to do their part in defending Canada and everything it stands for.”
Canada / 2 CAD / Design: Susanna Blunt (obverse), Tony Bianco (reverse) / Mintage: 5 million.
Designed by Canadian artist Tony Bianco, the reverse of this commemorative circulation coin depicts the Vimy Memorial, flanked by a First World War soldier and a contemporary veteran. Appearing beneath the image of the Memorial, the word “Vimy” is engraved between the soldier and veteran. The obverse features the effigy of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth, designed by Canadian artist Susanna Blunt in 2003.
Limited to a mintage of five million coins, the two-dollar circulation coin commemorating the 100th anniversary of the Battle of Vimy Ridge is now in general circulation.
The Mint is adding to the historic commemoration of Vimy Ridge by offering two new collector products. The first is a special wrap roll of 25 two-dollar circulation coins featuring the same artwork found on the reverse of the coins. As well, the Mint has issued a 1/4 oz. fine silver collector coin with a $3 denomination designed by Canadian artist Laurie McGaw. It features a frontal view of the iconic sculpture “Canada Bereft,” which is prominently featured at the Canadian National Vimy Memorial, depicted further in the distance.
For more information got to the Royal Canadian Mint website.
If you want to learn more on the Battle of Vimy Ridge you may visit the website of the Canadian War Museum or of the Vimy Foundation.
There is also an informative video on the Battle available.
Canadian newspaper “The National” asks in this video “Why the Battle of Vimy Ridge matters”.