September 29, 2011 – The Royal Canadian Mint is proud to introduce new collector coins. “The Mint is very pleased that the quality and variety of its collector coins continues to attract Canadian and international customers,” said Ian E. Bennett, President and CEO of the Royal Canadian Mint. “The Mint will continue to meet the expectations of our customers by crafting coins which captivate them by their exceptional craftsmanship, innovations and designs.”
2011 25-Cent Coin – 75th Anniversary of CBC/Radio-Canada
In many ways, the moments that Canadians have shared through CBC/Radio-Canada over 75 years of broadcasting milestones in news, drama, current events, hockey, music and comedy have defined the Canadian experience. The memories that bind us from coast to coast to coast are now celebrated in a special 25-cent collector coin issued by the Mint honoring the 75th anniversary of CBC/Radio-Canada.
This 35 mm-diameter cupro-nickel alloy coin depicts a microphone specially created by CBC / Radio-Canada for the Royal Tour of King George VI and Queen Elizabeth in 1939. Designed for outdoor broadcasts, its wind-resisting device was a major technological advance, which is commonplace today. While a reminder of a by-gone era, this microphone is also a testament to Canada’s demonstrated ability to innovate and overcome challenges.
The coin is presented in a 35-page color booklet retracing the 75-year history of CBC/Radio-Canada’s programming and highlighting the national public broadcaster’s contributions to broadcasting technology. This nostalgic and educational keepsake is produced to demand.
2011 Algonquin Full Moon $ 5 Sterling Silver and Niobium Coin (The Full Hunter’s Moon)
The Mint’s innovative series of selectively anodized silver and niobium coins honoring the tradition of the seasonal moon phases of the Algonquin people continues with The Full Hunter’s Moon. The rich copper-colored accent of this coin’s niobium core accentuates the figure of a traditional Algonquin hunter stalking his prey under the glow of a bright full moon.
This is the second issue in a series of four exquisite sterling silver and niobium coins, adorned by the distinct colors of each Algonquin full moon season: The Buck; The Hunter; The Wolf; and The Full Pink Moon. These coins have a $ 5 face value and were designed by artist John Mantha. They are being released throughout 2011 and 2012 and the entire series is also available as a subscription. Only 7,500 of these innovative collectibles will be available for each issue of this series.
Fine Gold and Silver Kilo Coins – Year of the Dragon (2012)
One of the most revered symbols of the Chinese zodiac is making a return in 2012 and the Royal Canadian Mint is proud to herald the Year of the Dragon in dramatic fashion with its first gold and silver Chinese Lunar Calendar kilo coins. Considered an ultimate achiever, the Dragon is famous in Asian culture for its enthusiasm, loyalty and energy. Its charismatic character is made even more irresistible by the bold design found on the reverse of the Mint’s Year of the Dragon gold and silver kilo coins.
Featuring an intricately detailed image of a traditional Chinese dragon, the gold coin bears a face value of $ 2,500 and is made of 99.99% pure gold. Its mintage is limited to only 38 coins worldwide. The silver kilo coin, which bears a $250 face value and the same elaborate reverse design, is crafted of 99.99% pure silver and is limited to a mintage of 5,888 coins.
$ 150 Gold Coin – Year of the Dragon (2012)
As the Chinese Lunar Zodiac welcomes the Dragon in 2012, the Mint is introducing the third issue in its series of 18-karat gold coins celebrating each animal symbol of the Chinese Lunar Calendar.
Artist Aries Cheung has created an original and distinctly Asian interpretation of the revered Dragon, accompanied by the Chinese character for this lunar sign. This exquisite coin with a proof finish and a face value of $ 150 is limited to 2,500 coins worldwide. This entire 12-piece series is available by annual subscription, which includes a complimentary hardwood collector case.
$ 15 Fine Silver Coin – Year of the Dragon (2012)
A 99.99% pure silver companion to the 18-Karat Gold Year of the Dragon coin once again features the reverse design of artist Aries Cheung. This coin is also the third in a series of proof $ 15 fine silver Chinese Lunar Zodiac coins, which started in 2010 with the Year of the Tiger. The $ 15 Fine Silver Coin – Year of the Dragon is limited to a worldwide mintage 48,888 pieces.
$ 15 Silver Lunar Lotur – Year of the Dragon (2012)
The third issue from a distinctly designed series of silver Chinese Lunar Zodiac coins with a scalloped shape honors the Year of the Dragon in its own special way. The reverse design of this fine silver coin is identical to the majestic new gold and silver Year of the Dragon kilo coins. It is available with a worldwide mintage of 48,888. This entire 12-piece series is also available by annual subscription, which includes a complimentary hardwood collector case.
2011 $ 15 Ultra High Relief Silver Coin – H.R.H. The Prince of Wales
Eager to help Canadians celebrate their 144 year-old royal heritage and proud of its own tradition of crafting royal-themed coins, the Mint is pleased to introduce the third coin its ultra-high relief, sterling silver series honoring the continuity of the Crown. This series featuring the first three successors to the British Crown opened with ultra-high relief portraits of Prince William and Prince Harry (Henry) earlier this year. The series now concludes with His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales. Each of the portraits appearing on these coins are the work of Canadian artist Laurie McGaw.
This coin is available individually or as part of a three-coin subscription. Subscribers to this series receive a complimentary three-coin clam shell case to display and preserve this outstanding collection. Limited to a mintage of 10,000 coins world-wide, this finely crafted collectible will soon be followed by an exciting variety of coins honouring Queen Elizabeth II’s Diamond Jubilee, as Canada’s prepares to officially celebrate this exceptional milestone on February 6, 2012.
2011 25-Cent Colored Coins – Canadian Mythical Creatures – Mishepishu
The Mint’s intriguing series of 25-cent nickel-plated steel coins paying tribute to Canadian Mythical Creatures concludes with the enigmatic Mishepishu of Algonquin legend, whose name comes from the Ojibwe word for “great lynx”. Described as a deer-sized wildcat with horns on his head, a scaly dragon-like body and the tail of a fish, this shape-shifting, water-dwelling wildcat is believed to prowl the depths of Lake Superior and Lake Ontario, protecting the copper found in the ore rocks of the region.
A map of past sightings of Mishepishu fills the inside of an illustrated folder, which complements the reverse design of artist Emily S. Damstra. This coin joins Sasquatch and Memphré to complete the Canadian Mythical Creatures coin series.
2011 $ 20 Fine Silver Coin – Crystal Snowflake (Emerald and Topaz)
Getting ready for winter is a fact of life in Canada and the Mint hopes to improve the experience with two new 99.99% pure silver coins designed to capture the charm and beauty of this season. The magnified detail of six-sided dendrite ice crystals, recreated by Mint Engraver Konrad Wachelko, shows off the hidden beauty of the common snowflake. The addition of Swarovski Elements in Emerald and Topaz completes the magical appeal of this hugely popular coin series. These bold crystals shine from the center of the coin, which are surrounded by six clear oblong Swarovski Elements. These elegant coins have a mintage of 15,000 in each color.
2011 $ 20 Fine Silver Coin – Small Crystal Snowflake (Montana and Hyacinth)
The continued popularity of the $ 20 crystal snowflake silver coin series has prompted the Mint to expand this eye-catching product category with the $ 20 Fine Silver Small crystal Snowflake. These coins capture the intricate detail of snowflakes in motion, falling from the sky as they blanket the Canadian landscape in countless numbers. This new look at the snowflake, also created by Mint Engraver Konrad Wachelko, is enhanced by small Swarovski Element “hearts” at the centre of the three snowflakes appearing of this coin’s reverse. Available in Montana and Hyacinth in 2011, these impressive 38 mm coins are limited to a world-wide mintage of 15,000.
2011 $ 20 Fine Silver Coin – Christmas Tree
With no time to spare in choosing memorable gifts for the upcoming holiday season, the Mint has chosen a traditional Christmas tree design by artist Tony Bianco, enhanced by five Peridot (green-coloured) Swarovski Elements, to adorn the reverse of its holiday-themed 2011 $ 20 fine silver coin. The custom of decorating Christmas trees was imported to Canada from Germany in the 1780’s, by troops allied to British forces in defending British North America from American revolutionaries. Now a cherished Canadian tradition, this scene is captured with dazzling effect on this latest addition to our popular silver and crystal coins. This coin is limited to a mintage of 15,000 world-wide.
For more information on the Mint, or these new coins visit its official site.