Canadian Coins
2008 90th Anniversary End of World War One
Ottawa, Ontario, October 27, 2008
On the eve of Remembrance Day commemorations and the 90th anniversary of the Armistice, the Royal Canadian Mint, in association with the Royal Canadian Legion, is proud to issue its latest coloured circulation coin which features the iconic red poppy, Canada's flower of remembrance.
The Mint will produce up to 11 million 25-cent coloured poppy coins, which will enter into circulation beginning today and will be distributed exclusively at Shoppers Drug Mart locations from coast to coast. Canadians are also encouraged to look for this special coin in their change.
"Through this unique circulation coin, the Royal Canadian Mint is keeping alive the memory of all Canadian veterans who served their country with such distinction," said Ian E. Bennett, President and CEO of the Royal Canadian Mint. "Mint employees are honoured to pay tribute to those who have bravely fought for our freedom, particularly on the eve of such a significant anniversary."
"The Royal Canadian Legion is extremely pleased that the Royal Canadian Mint has honoured our veterans with the production of this very special poppy coin," said Mr. Wilfred Edmond, Dominion President of the Royal Canadian Legion.
"Shoppers Drug Mart is honoured to be a part of the circulation of this commemorative coin that recognizes the valour and courage of those Canadians who served in the First World War," said Tammy Smitham, Director, Communications & Corporate Affairs, Shoppers Drug Mart. "In partnership with the Royal Canadian Legion, our Pharmacist-owned stores will also be a distribution point for poppies during the Remembrance period to raise further awareness and funds for our Veterans."
Between 1914 and 1918 over 650,000 Canadian men and women fought to protect the peace and freedom our country enjoys today. Of those, more than 66,000 gave their lives and another 170,000 would be wounded. Lieutenant-Colonel John McCrae, a Canadian medical officer during the First World War, was responsible more than any other for the adoption of the poppy as a symbol of remembrance in Canada and the Commonwealth. McCrae was also the author of the famous war memorial poem In Flanders Fields.
The 25-cent poppy coin marks the third coloured circulation coin to be produced by the Mint and distributed in Canada, following the 2004 red poppy coin which honoured those who made the ultimate sacrifice to defend Canada's freedom and the 2006 pink ribbon coin which raised awareness for the fight against breast cancer.
2005 Year of the Veteran Quarter
In 2005, Canadians reached out to thank our veterans and honour their decades of duty and sacrifice. These brave men and women are not only those who fought in World Wars I and II and the Korean War. Amongst them are the younger faces of Canadian Armed Forces personnel who have served in places like Afghanistan and the former Yugoslavia, fostering peace and freedom on behalf of Canada.
The Royal Canadian Mint issued the Year of the Veteran 25-Cent Coin to pay tribute to Canadian Veterans, young and old. The design, by artist Elaine Goble, depicts the profiles of two Veterans from different generations, joined by their love of country.
About the Artist:
Born in St. Thomas, Ontario, Elaine Goble now resides in Ottawa. Having studied at York University and the University of Western Ontario, Elaine specializes in graphite and egg tempera portraits. In 1995, she drew her first war picture – a portrait of 6 veterans at a Remembrance Day service. Since that time, Elaine has undertaken a project to explore in portraiture the consequences of war for survivors, which are the people who still live in ordinary communities across Canada. Elaine’s work has been exhibited at various venues in the last several years and she was awarded first place in Portraiture at the 1993 Canadian National Fine Arts Competition.
2005 Victory Anniversary Nickel
REMEMBER THE COURAGE OF CANADIANS
WHO FOUGHT FOR A BETTER WORLD
Over one million Canadian heroes gallantly served freedom’s cause in World War II. More than 45,000 lost their lives. Our contributions, however, were far greater than our numbers. Across Europe - from the mountains of Italy to Normandy’s battered beaches - Canadian soldiers were regarded as bold and fearless. By dawn of May 8, 1945, official word was received that the war in Europe was over, and Canadians finally celebrated peace.
The 2005 Victory Anniversary Nickel honours the 60th anniversary of the end of WWII. This special circulation coin is a representation of the 5-cent coin created in 1943 to promote the Canadian war effort. The original design incorporated Winston Churchill’s V for Victory, and a Morse code message circling the rim: “We Win When We Work Willingly.”
2004 Poppy Quarter
The Royal Canadian Mint Launches The World’s First Coloured Coin Commemorating The Poppy - Canada’s Flower Of Remembrance
Winnipeg, Manitoba, October 21, 2004
Today the Royal Canadian Mint together with the Royal Canadian Legion unveiled the world’s first coloured circulation coin. The 25-cent coin features a red poppy, the symbol that pays homage to the 117,000 brave Canadians that have died while in the service of the nation.
The red poppy is Canada’s flower of remembrance. Each Remembrance Day, Canadians show their abiding respect for those who have freely given their lives for the cause of freedom, justice and peace by wearing a poppy. On the eve of the 2004 Remembrance Day commemorations, the Royal Canadian Mint is proud to launch a landmark coloured circulation coin that will remind Canadians in a singular way of our proud role in world history and to honour those who made the ultimate sacrifice to defend our freedom.
“The poppy is a hallowed symbol to our members and to all Canadians” said Mary Ann Burdett, Dominion President, The Royal Canadian Legion. “As the guardian of the memory of lost comrades and friends, the Legion has a solemn responsibility to ensure that the poppy is always used in a dignified manner. I want to express my deep appreciation to the Royal Canadian Mint for designing a coin whose unique coloured design will make the 2004 Remembrance Day commemoration truly special.”
“We owe our veterans a debt we can never repay and the Mint is to be congratulated for having the technical ingenuity to produce a coloured coin,” said Minister of National Revenue and Minister responsible for the Royal Canadian Mint, the Honourable John McCallum. “This will serve to remind all Canadians every day of the importance of supporting the Legion’s Poppy and Remembrance Campaign.”
“The Mint felt very strongly about dedicating the world’s first coloured circulation coin to Canada’s war veterans,” said David C. Dingwall, President and C.E.O. of the Royal Canadian Mint. “The self sacrifice and courage symbolized by the poppy is universally understood by all Canadians and it also epitomizes Canada’s pride of place in world history. I want to thank the Royal Canadian Legion for allowing us to use the poppy image, and to congratulate our Mint production team for making this world first possible. More importantly, I hope that the poppy coin will inspire Canadians to support the Legion’s 2004 Poppy and Remembrance Campaign, which helps provide needed services and support for our veterans.”
Beginning on October 21, 2004, the new poppy coin will be available from Tim Hortons locations across Canada. Tim Hortons, a distinctive Canadian enterprise, is the Mint’s exclusive distribution partner for the poppy coin. Because coins are produced to meet demand, poppy coins will also be available at financial institutions in the months following the coins unveil.
"The Mint has created one of the most unique coins in the world that features a special symbol that all Canadians can relate to and be proud of," said Bill Moir, Executive Vice President, Marketing, for Tim Hortons. “Canadians have supported Tim Hortons for 40 years and our Veterans and current members of the Canadian Forces are some of our most loyal customers. So when the Mint approached Tim Hortons, we knew we had to be a part of this commemorative launch.”
To meet the engineering and design challenges entailed in producing the world’s first-ever coloured circulation coin, the Royal Canadian Mint perfected a high speed colouring process that will generate 30 million coins. The process ensures that the colour adheres to the metal and is resistant against wear from daily use or from exposure to common household products and detergents. With normal wear and tear, the colour should remain for one to three years, but can be removed with harsh chemicals or friction. A permanent poppy has been struck on the coin, which will retain its full value, even if the red colour has been removed.
Other Tim Hortons Press Releases:
08 Mar 2006
Tim Hortons & Canadian Forces Announce Opening in Afghanistan
01 Jul 2006
Tim Hortons Brings a Taste of Home to Troops in Kandahar with a link of http://www.timhortons.com/ca/en/about/news_archive_2006h.html
Royal Canadian Mint
http://www.mint.ca/
