Canadian Coin Collection

2016 - Woman's Right to Vote

2016-04-09T08:01:00.001-07:00

2016
The 100th Anniversary of Woman's Right to Vote

The Royal Canadian Mint has unveiled a new loonie commemorating the 100 years since women first gained the right to vote in Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Alberta provincial elections.

The mint plans to issue five million of the new dollars.

The coin was designed by artist Laurie McGaw. The reverse features a 1916-era depiction of a woman proudly casting a ballot, while her daughter, who represents the future, looks on.

THE STORY BEHIND OUR HISTORY
100TH ANNIVERSARY OF WOMEN'S RIGHT TO VOTE

A century ago, Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Alberta granted most women the right to vote in provincial elections, beginning the journey that would one day lead to securing voting rights for women across Canada. This hard-won victory in the Prairie Provinces was the result of years of campaigning by women's groups, beginning as early as 1890. As a result, women in Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Alberta could not only vote, but also run for and hold political office—granting them a far greater ability to drive social and political change. This breakthrough was a critical turning point in the evolution of women's rights and equality in Canada.

A Complicated Journey

Despite this victory in the Prairies in 1916, the path to universal suffrage in Canada was full of twists and turns. Women's experiences varied widely depending on where they lived, as well as their cultural, social, and economic status. While Ontario and British Columbia granted women the right to vote provincially in 1917, women in Quebec didn't enjoy the same rights until 1940. Some ethnic minorities were still excluded, and First Nations men and women weren't able to vote federally until 1960.

The Famous Five

Another important step in the evolution of women's political rights in Canada is the "Persons Case," brought forward by the Famous Five: Nellie McClung, Louise McKinney, Henrietta Muir Edwards, Emily Murphy, and Irene Parlby in 1927. The Famous Five collectively requested that the Supreme Court clarify whether or not the word "persons" in the British North America Act included women, and by extension, if women could serve in an appointed office. Dissatisfied with the Supreme Court's ruling which declared women nonpersons, the Famous Five took their case to the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council in Britain, Canada's highest court of appeal at the time. On October 18, 1929, Lord Sankey, Lord Chancellor of the Privy Council, ruled in their favour, paving the way for the first female Senator in Canada in 1930, Cairine Wilson.

2015 - Remember Toonie

2016-02-11T12:26:00.000-08:00

2015
Remember Toonie

2015 will mark the 100th anniversary of Canadian Lieutenant-Colonel John McCrae's writing of In Flanders Fields. It is one of the First World War's most recognized poems and an integral part of Canadian culture. The poem's striking imagery has served to enshrine the poem and the poppy as enduring and powerful symbols of remembrance for all Canadians, to this day.

THE STORY BEHIND THE COINS

During the First World War, the landscape of France and Belgium turned to fields of mud where little or nothing could grow. But unusually warm temperatures in April and May 1915 caused vibrant red poppies to appear amidst the chaos and destruction of the Second Battle of Ypres.

It was the sight of these resilient flowers blooming on the battlefield that inspired a Canadian military doctor to write a poem in honour of his fallen comrades. And so it was, in early May a century ago, that Lieutenant-Colonel John McCrae composed In Flanders Fields, now one of our nation's best-known literary works.

The poem inspired an American woman, Moina Michael, to make and sell red silk poppies to be worn in remembrance. The tradition was brought to England by Anna Guérin, and the idea of the poppy as memorial flower quickly spread through the Commonwealth.

Today, the poem and the poppy that inspired it remain two of the most recognized symbols of remembrance honouring every Canadian who has served our country.

LIEUTENANT-COLONEL JOHN MCCRAE

Born in Guelph, Ontario, on November 30, 1872, Lieutenant- Colonel John McCrae began writing poetry as a student at Guelph Collegiate Institute. He joined the cadets at age 14 and, throughout university and medical training, he continued to write poetry and maintain a connection with the military.

When Britain declared war on Germany in August 1914, Lieutenant-Colonel John McCrae was among the 45,000 Canadians who enlisted. He was appointed medical officer to the First Brigade of the Canadian Field Artillery with the rank of Major.

Less than a year later, in the trenches near Ypres, Belgium, Lieutenant-Colonel John McCrae wrote his most famous poem, In Flanders Fields.

POEM

In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.

2015 - Remembrance Poppy

2016-02-11T12:21:00.001-08:00

2015
Remembrance Poppy Coin
The coin is available in two versions: one with color, and one without.

THE STORY BEHIND THE COINS

Today, the poem and the poppy that inspired it remain two of the most recognized symbols of remembrance honouring every Canadian who has served our country.

LIEUTENANT-COLONEL JOHN MCCRAE

Less than a year later, in the trenches near Ypres, Belgium, Lieutenant-Colonel John McCrae wrote his most famous poem, In Flanders Fields.

POEM

In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.

2015 - Canadian Flag - 50 Years

2015-06-10T14:37:00.001-07:00

2015
Canadian Flag - 50 Years
The coin is available in two versions: one with color, and one without.

As the Canadian Flag celebrates its 50th anniversary, the Royal Canadian Mint proudly pays tribute to our beloved national symbol by issuing both a coloured and non-coloured commemorative 25-cent circulation coin to celebrate this milestone.

Few symbols of Canada are as easily recognized and proudly displayed by Canadians as the red and white national flag featuring the emblematic red maple leaf. Canada's flag represents pride, valour, freedom and peace and is considered one of the most widely recognized national symbols in the world. But most of all, for Canadians, it represents home. To Canadians, the red maple leaf unites us by creating a common identity that bridges our different cultures, languages and beliefs.

This coin features a design of fifty children who each represent one of the flag's 50 years, as well as Canada's future. The words "50 years/ans" appear at the bottom center. The design was created by artist Bonnie Ross from Nova Scotia.

A fine silver non-circulation collectors coin with a $25 face value was also released along with this coin.

2015 - Sir John A. MacDonald Toonie

2015-02-23T04:36:00.000-08:00

2015
Sir John A. MacDonald

As Canada prepares to celebrate the 150th anniversary of Canadian Confederation in 2017, the Royal Canadian Mint has released a new toonie coin to proudly celebrates the 200th anniversary of the birth of the nation’s primary architect and first Prime Minister: Sir John A. MacDonald.

This coin commemorates the 200th anniversary of the birth of Sir John A. Macdonald, our first Prime Minister and a Father of Confederation. As such, he will forever be remembered for successfully uniting Canada under one federal government, connecting it from coast to coast with a railway, and shaping it into the country it is today.

About Sir John A. Macdonald

On July 1, 1867, the Dominion of Canada was created, and Sir John Alexander Macdonald, a key architect of Canadian Confederation, became the new nation’s first Prime Minister. Knighted by Queen Victoria for his role in Canadian Confederation, Sir John A. Macdonald led the nation until his death in 1891, with only a single interruption in his leadership, from 1873 to 1878.

John Alexander Macdonald was born on January 11, 1815, in Glasgow, Scotland. He and his family immigrated to Kingston, Upper Canada in 1820. With a successful law practice, and having held political office at the municipal level in Kingston, Macdonald joined the Upper Canada cabinet in 1847, serving as receiver general and commissioner of Crown Lands. In 1854, he entered the cabinet of the United Province of Canada, serving as Attorney General for Canada West. Taking on a heavy portfolio of legislative work and providing important legal counsel to various departments of the government, his responsibilities grew until he and George-Étienne Cartier were jointly leading the Government.

By the 1860s, it was clear that some form of constitutional change was necessary. John A. Macdonald, along with George Brown, Cartier, and their colleagues presented a vision of a united British North America to the leaders of the Maritime colonies at the Charlottetown Conference in September 1864. They ultimately achieved their goal on July 1, 1867, when the Dominion of Canada was created—with Macdonald, its key architect, as the new nation’s Prime Minister.

Macdonald’s tireless work sowed the seeds of the sovereign nation of Canada.

2014 - Wait for Me, Daddy

2015-02-07T14:57:00.000-08:00

2014
Wait for Me, Daddy

Inspired by the iconic photograph known as “Wait for Me, Daddy,” of a young boy catching up to his soldier father, who was marching with his regiment which was taken on October 1, 1940, in New Westminster, B.C. by photographer Claude Dettloff. (reverse), Susanna Blunt (obverse).

2013 - Arctic Symbols

2013-12-25T21:18:00.001-08:00

2013
Arctic Symbols - Life in the North Design

This commemorative coin tells many stories. The story of the beluga and bowhead whales, which are often seen swimming the Arctic waters. It speaks of kayaks and umiaks, the boats used by the Inuits to travel and hunt. It shows the pattern of an igloo's snow blocks and an amauti that tells the story of Inuit women. And, it tells of a Dorset mask and Thule comb from the ancient people of the North.

In 1913, an international crew of scientists, sailors, guides and crewmen called the Canadian Arctic Expedition (CAE) set sail on a remarkable voyage of discovery in Canada's High Arctic. During the five years that followed, their work would touch unprecedented facets of Canada's far-flung northern reaches, including: previously unknown lands and islands, as well as thousands of photographs, artifacts and specimens that offered Canadians a glimpse of life in the Arctic. Their discoveries not only better defined Canada's northern boundaries, but fundamentally contributed to Canada's scientific, social and cultural knowledge of the Arctic and the people who lived there.

Life in the North Design:
Designed by renowned Inuit artist Tim Pitsiulak, this coin includes a beautifully detailed design that combines animal and human imagery. A traditional whaling boat and three kayaks wrap around the image along the rim to depict a traditional bowhead whale hunt. Two beluga whales swim alongside a bowhead whale – animals that have long been a source of inspiration to the artist. The bowhead is adorned with several elements drawn from the Inuit culture. To honour the Tuniit people who first crossed the Bering Strait from Siberia, Dorset ivory masks adorn the bowhead’s lower jaw and its back. A Thule ivory comb lies across the top of the whale’s head, representing the Inuit expansion across Canada. The pattern on the whale’s side mimics the walls of an igloo, while the amauti design that graces the whale’s tale symbolizes the clothing worn by Inuit women.

See other coin in this set: 2013 - 100th Anniversary of the Canadian Arctic Expedition

2013 - 100th Anniversary of the Canadian Arctic Expedition

2013-12-25T21:18:00.000-08:00

2013
100th Anniversary of the Canadian Arctic Expedition Design

This coin tells the story of the first Canadian Arctic Expedition that set out 100 years ago. It was inspired by a photograph taken of Expedition members posing next to their loaded sled and trusted dogs, who stand ready to pull them across the Arctic in search of uncharted lands.

In 1913, an international crew of scientists, sailors, guides and crewmen called the Canadian Arctic Expedition (CAE) set sail on a remarkable voyage of discovery in Canada's High Arctic. During the five years that followed, their work would touch unprecedented facets of Canada's far-flung northern reaches, including: previously unknown lands and islands, as well as thousands of photographs, artifacts and specimens that offered Canadians a glimpse of life in the Arctic. Their discoveries not only better defined Canada's northern boundaries, but fundamentally contributed to Canada's scientific, social and cultural knowledge of the Arctic and the people who lived there.

100th Anniversary of the Canadian Arctic Expedition Design:
This coin was designed by Canadian artist Bonnie Ross and draws on photography from the Canadian Arctic Expedition. The coin depicts a group of three men aboard a dogsled, the waiting dog team before them listening for the command to move on across the Arctic tundra. The skyline and horizon in the background are filled with a stylized image of a compass.

See other coin in this set: 2013 - Arctic Symbols

2013 - Laura Second

2013-07-07T09:58:00.000-07:00

2013
Laura Second
The coin is available in two versions: one with color, and one without.

Long before her name became synonymous with chocolate, Laura Secord (1775-1868) played a critical part in our nation's success during the War of 1812. Upon hearing American officers discussing their intention to ambush a British outpost and capture its commanding officer, Secord made a 30-kilometer trek by foot to successfully alert 400 First Nations warriors and Lieutenant James FitzGibbon. Upon reaching Beaver Dams, American forces were ambushed themselves by the First Nations warriors and 50 British soldiers, and ultimately forced to surrender.

Special features:
• Five coins feature a painted Government of Canada 1812 logo, while the other five non-coloured coins features frosting on the profile of Laura Secord.
• 5th in the series of War of 1812 coins.

Design:
This coin feature Laura Secord against an intricately engraved background comprised of the words “The War of 1812” in both English and French. Artist Bonnie Ross used various image sources of Laura Secord to design the ideal image. Also featured in the design is the painted Government of Canada War of 1812 logo composed of a beautiful stylistic 1812 typography.

2013 - de Salaberry

2013-04-13T11:57:00.001-07:00

2013
de Salaberry
The coin is available in two versions: one with color, and one without.

As leader of the Voltigeurs Canadiens, Charles-Michel de Salaberry thwarted American plans to attack Montréal by blocking their advance at the Battle of Châteauguay. The actions and heroism of the Voltigeurs, under de Salaberry’s command, were critical in the War of 1812, securing both a place in our national history.

Despite the legend arising around Lieutenant Colonel Charles de Salaberry and the Battle of Châteauguay, including the assertion that 300 Canadians had forced the retreat of 7,000 Americans, the significance of that battle and de Salaberry’s role in it remain indisputable despite historical exaggeration. The actions and heroism of de Salaberry and the Voltigeurs remain key moments in the War of 1812.

2012 - Tecumseh

2012-11-19T13:17:00.000-08:00

2012
Shawnee Chief Tecumseh
The coin is available in two versions: one with color, and one without.

The great Shawnee Chief Tecumseh’s (c.1768-1813) was born near Springfield, Ohio. His name, which meant both “shooting star” and “crouching panther,” proved prescient, for he became a highly driven and dynamic leader and warrior. Tecumseh dedicated his life to spreading a message of unification among Native North Americans, and building support for a self-governing Aboriginal Territory. During the War of 1812, he joined forces with the British to defend British North America and became an important ally of Major-General Sir Isaac Brock. After their joint victory at For Detroit, a strong mutual respect bonded the two men until their respective deaths in battle. Tecumseh was one of many who fell during the battle at Moraviantown (also known as the Battle of the Thames), when British troops retreated leaving only 500 Aboriginal warriors to fight more than 3,000 American soldiers. His death, and the legacy of his life, immortalized him as a hero of Canadians.

2012 - Major-General Sir Isaac Brock

2012-11-05T16:50:00.001-08:00

2012
Major-General Sir Isaac Brock
The coin is available in two versions: one with color, and one without.

Remembered as the “Hero of Upper Canada,” for his leadership and bravery during the War of 1812, Major-General Sir Isaac Brock holds a special place in Canada's history. Understanding the importance of his Aboriginal allies in the conflict, Brock joined Tecumseh to take Fort Detroit from their American opponents, despite being outnumbered nearly two to one. He cemented his place in the history books during the Battle of Queenston Heights on October 13, 1812, when American forces crossed the Niagara River to attack. Arriving hastily from Fort George to join the fray, Brock led a charge to retake a crucial gun battery on the Heights, when, while leading his troops, he was shot and killed. British forces won the day though, with the aid of reinforcements and their Aboriginal allies. The victory at Queenston Heights was not only a turning point in the War of 1812, but profoundly influenced Canada’s national identity.

2012 - The 100th Grey Cup Loonie

2012-09-17T18:07:00.002-07:00

2012
The 100th Grey Cup Loonie
The last 99 Grey Cups all started with a coin toss. The 100th won't be any different.

This year marks the 100th playing of the Grey Cup. It's East versus West. It's 12 dedicated players versus 12 dedicated players. It's 110 grueling yards and it's played in weather that would keep even the most hardened outdoorsmen inside. From Gizmo's 1987 field goal return to Calvillo's 99-yard pass – the Grey Cup has seen it all.

Get your 100th Grey Cup $1 coin at participating Canada Post locations, at a Mint Grey Cup event, or look for it in your change. With 5 million coins in production, 4,000 participating Canada Post locations will have the new $1 coin available to exchange.

The Lucky Loonie Legend

2012-08-28T21:41:00.001-07:00

In recent years, the golden-coloured loonie became associated with Canada's winning hockey and curling teams and has been viewed as a good-luck charm in international competition. The legend began during the 2002 Winter Olympics, when a Canadian icemaker for the ice surfaces in the ice hockey tournament, Trent Evans, buried a loonie under centre ice. The original reason for placing the loonie was to assist in the puck-drop: the centre ice at Salt Lake was emblazoned with a large logo, and was missing the customary circle used by the referee and face-off players as a target for the puck — so he needed to add some kind of a dot as a puck target that would not stand out, and a loonie buried under the ice served well. Both the Canadian men's and women's hockey teams won gold in the tournament, the men's 50 years to the day after their last gold medal victory. Following the Games, Team Canada executive director Wayne Gretzky recovered the coin and gave it to the Hockey Hall of Fame.

A loonie was also used at the IIHF World Hockey Championships between Canada and Sweden on May 11, 2003. This lucky loonie is known affectionately as the Helsinki Loonie. It was hidden surreptitiously before the Gold-Medal hockey game and saw Team Canada to victory. After forward Anson Carter scored against Swedish goaltender Mikael Tellqvist in overtime to win the World Hockey Championship for Canada, Team Canada officials admitted they had placed a Loonie in the padding beneath the crossbar of the Swedish net.

The legend is also prevalent in curling, as the Kevin Martin rink at the 2002 Winter Olympics had won silver medals on a sheet with silver-coloured quarters underneath the surface. At the 2006 Winter Olympics, the Canadian icemakers in the curling tournament buried two loonies, one at each end of the sheet — coincidentally, Brad Gushue would win the gold medal there. In the same Olympics, the icemakers at the hockey tournament announced that they would not bury a loonie under the ice. The men's team finished out of the medals while the women's team won gold. Likewise, for the 2010 Winter Olympics, as part of the venue construction for the curling venue, three loonies were placed in the floor by the architect before the concrete was poured. Both the Canadian men's and women's ice hockey teams took home gold.

This legend is kept alive by the Royal Canadian Mint, which has since issued specially-designed "Lucky Loonies" for each year the summer and winter Olympics Games are held.

Team Russia has also made use of the lucky loonie — in the 2008 IIHF World Championship in Quebec City Alexander Ovechkin famously dug out the "lucky loonie" from centre ice after Russia beat Canada 5–4 in overtime and gave it to Russian teammate Ilya Nikulin, who cut it in two and made two necklaces out of the souvenir.

An episode of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine ("Blaze of Glory") also made mention of a lucky loonie – although the episode's air date (12 May 1997) predates the more-recent Olympic tradition, making it impossible for the scriptwriter to have intended a connection between the fictional coin and its real-world counterpart. The character, Michael Eddington, had a family heirloom in the form of a 22nd century Canadian one dollar coin that he called his "lucky loonie".

2012 - Lucky Loonie

2012-08-14T21:24:00.001-07:00

2012
Lucky Loonie
It will serve as a good luck charm for Canadian athletes competing in London at the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

In what is now a legendary tale, a Loonie was buried at centre ice prior to the 2002 Olympic Winter Games in Salt Lake City to bring good luck to Canada's gold medal-winning men's and women's hockey teams.

The mint has since produced a Lucky Loonie circulation coin for each subsequent games.

The 2012 Lucky Loonie circulation coin features the iconic loon as it spreads its majestic wings while sitting on rippling Canadian lake waters.

Designed by artist Emily S. Damstra, the coin also features the Canadian Olympic Team logo.

Read it on Global News: Global Toronto | Royal Canadian Mint issues Lucky Loonie

2012 - Bicentennial of the War of 1812

2012-06-26T12:27:00.000-07:00

2012
Bicentennial of the War of 1812
The War of 1812 marks an important part of Canadian history in the country's evolution from colony to sovereign nation.

This was between Britain and the United States, was a fundamental turning point in Canada’s history, a struggle from which some of Canada’s earliest unifying moments emerged. These stories - including that of the Leda-class frigate, HMS Shannon - have become important chapters in the narrative of Canada.

The $2 circulation coin has an image of the British frigate HMS Shannon - to signify the historic capture of the American USS Chesapeake off the coast of Boston in 1813 by HMS Shannon. The defeated warship and her crew were escorted to Halifax, Nova Scotia where the sailors were imprisoned. The damaged ship was repaired and taken into service by the Royal Navy and was later re-named and re-commissioned into the British Navy.

The Royal Canadian Mint released the HMS Shannon $2 coin on June 18, 2012 to commemorate the bicentennial of the War of 1812.

Four new 25-cent coins will also be released in 2012-2013, as part of the series, commemorating 200 years since the U.S. declared war on Great Britain.

2004 - Ile Sainte-Croix

2012-06-01T23:34:00.000-07:00

2004
Ile Sainte-Croix
400th anniversary of the first French settlement in North America

2012 - New generation Toonie

2012-04-29T01:14:00.004-07:00

2012
New generation Toonie

Like the new one-dollar circulation coins, Canada's new two-dollar circulation coins are manufactured using the Mint's Multi-Ply Plated Steel technology.

While the new two-dollar coin maintains the traditional "Polar Bear" design, there are three visible changes:

The addition of two laser marks of maple leaves, each within a circle, at the bottom of the coin's reverse – i.e. on the side with the Polar Bear design.
A virtual image of two maple leaves will appear at the top of the coin – a different image is produced as the coin is turned from side to side. The virtual image is produced by engraving different patterns on each side of two-sided grooves on the face of the coin.
Edge-lettering of the words "CANADA" and "2 DOLLARS" are engraved along the coin's outer edge.
Specifications:
Diameter: 28mm
Edge Height: 1.75mm
Weight: 6.92g
Composition:
Outer Ring –Multi-ply nickel plated steel
Insert –Multi-ply brass plated aluminum bronze

2011 - Boreal Forest Toonie

2012-04-29T01:09:00.004-07:00

2011
Boreal Forest Toonie
The two-dollar circulation coin celebrating Canada's boreal forest coincides with the United Nations declaration of 2011 as the International Year of the Forest.
The boreal forest is the world's largest ecosystem, which covers over half of Canada's landmass, from New Brunswick to the Northwest Territories and Yukon. As depicted through artistic interpretations of different tree species on the reverse of this circulation coin, the boreal forest landscape is defined by coniferous and hardy deciduous trees adapted to long winters and short growing seasons.

Some 15% of our total population – including 80% of members of Canada’s First Nations – live within the boreal forest, along with countless species of flora and fauna.

Our boreal forest’s size and qualities as a habitat make it an indispensible resource for the conservation of Canadian wildlife: its soil absorbs and holds more carbon per hectare than any other ecosystem in the world. By keeping carbon dioxide – a harmful greenhouse gas – from escaping into the atmosphere, our boreal forest plays an important role in protecting our global environment and preserving habitats for living beings everywhere.

2008 - 400th Anniversary of the Founding of Quebec City

2012-04-29T00:57:00.001-07:00

2008
400th Anniversary of the Founding of Quebec City

Quebec artist Geneviève Bertrand won a design competition to create a new reverse of the two-dollar circulation coin commemorating the 400th anniversary of Quebec City. The date 1608 appeared on the left side of the outer ring, while 2008 appeared on the right of the ring on this commemorative coin's reverse side. Only six million of these special coins circulated, in addition to more than 17 million 2008 Toonies produced with the traditional Polar Bear design.

As the date was moved to the reverse side of this commemorative coin, the Mint Mark was moved to the core of the coin on the obverse, to the immediate left of Her Majesty's effigy.

2006 - Two New Coins for the 10th Anniversary of the Two-Dollar Circulation Coin

2012-04-29T00:55:00.003-07:00

2006
Two New Coins for the 10th Anniversary of the Two-Dollar Circulation Coin

In celebration of the 10th anniversary of its introduction, the two-dollar circulation coin was produced in two versions: the first honouring the traditional Polar Bear design of artist Tony Bianco and the second featuring his updated pose of the bear looking up at the dramatic lines of an Aurora Borealis.

It is important to note the position of 1996-2006 double date on each coin: the traditional bear design shows the date beneath the effigy of Her Majesty, while the updated bear shows the date above the effigy.

In 2006, the Mint also introduced the Mint Mark on the obverse side of all Canadian circulation coinage. The Mint Mark encompasses the three elements of the Mint's corporate name: M for Mint; a Maple leaf for Canadian; and a crown for Royal and Crown Corporation. It features the Mint design within a circle and consists of a symbol depicting a stylized maple leaf emerging from the letter M.

With the exception of the 2008 two-dollar circulation coin celebrating the 400th Anniversary of the founding of Quebec City, the Mint Mark always appears beneath the effigy of Her Majesty on the obverse of two-dollar circulation coins produced since 2006. Since the introduction of the Mint Mark, the maple leaf no longer appears above the effigy of Her Majesty.

2003 - The End of an Era, The Birth of a New Effigy

2012-04-29T00:54:00.000-07:00

2003
The End of an Era, The Birth of a New Effigy

2003 was the last year the Dora de Pedery-Hunt design of Her Majesty's effigy appeared on the two-dollar circulation coin. In June 2003, the Government of Canada announced that an updated effigy of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II would appear on all Canadian circulation coins in honour of the 50th anniversary of the Queen's coronation. This design is the work of artist Susanna Blunt, whose prior experience with Buckingham Palace included painting a portrait of Prince Edward. It is by no mistake that two-dollar circulation coins dated 2003 show both the "crowned" and "uncrowned" effigy of Her Majesty.

2000 - Path of Knowledge

2012-04-29T00:51:00.003-07:00

2000
Path of Knowledge

For the new millennium, artist Tony Bianco illustrated a female polar bear and her two cubs to represent the transfer of knowledge from one generation to the next. The inscription on the coin's outer rim reads "Knowledge - Le Savoir." This was the only "tails" design to appear on the 2000 two-dollar circulation coin.

1999 - The Founding of Nunavut

2012-04-29T00:50:00.003-07:00

1999
The Founding of Nunavut

Nunavut First Nations artist Germaine Arnaktauyok created a special design to commemorate the founding of Nunavut, Canada's newest territory. This design appeared on all 1999 two-dollar coins produced for general circulation. In 1999, the Polar Bear design appeared only in a limited number of special coin sets produced for the collector market.

1996-1998 and 2001-2003 - Original Toonie

2012-04-29T00:49:00.003-07:00

1996-1998 and 2001-2003

Original Toonie

When introduced in 1996, the two-dollar circulation coin showed a portrait of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II designed by Canadian artist Dora de Pedery-Hunt. This image of Her Majesty appeared on all Canadian circulation coins from 1990 to 2003. The iconic Polar Bear design on the reverse is the work of renowned wildlife artist Tony Bianco.

Canadian Coin Collection

2016 - Woman's Right to Vote

THE STORY BEHIND OUR HISTORY100TH ANNIVERSARY OF WOMEN'S RIGHT TO VOTE

A Complicated Journey

The Famous Five

2015 - Remember Toonie

THE STORY BEHIND THE COINS

LIEUTENANT-COLONEL JOHN MCCRAE

POEM

2015 - Remembrance Poppy

THE STORY BEHIND THE COINS

LIEUTENANT-COLONEL JOHN MCCRAE

POEM

2015 - Canadian Flag - 50 Years

2015 - Sir John A. MacDonald Toonie

About Sir John A. Macdonald

2014 - Wait for Me, Daddy

2013 - Arctic Symbols

2013 - 100th Anniversary of the Canadian Arctic Expedition

2013 - Laura Second

2013 - de Salaberry

2012 - Tecumseh

2012 - Major-General Sir Isaac Brock

2012 - The 100th Grey Cup Loonie

The Lucky Loonie Legend

2012 - Lucky Loonie

2012 - Bicentennial of the War of 1812

2004 - Ile Sainte-Croix

2012 - New generation Toonie

2011 - Boreal Forest Toonie

2008 - 400th Anniversary of the Founding of Quebec City

2006 - Two New Coins for the 10th Anniversary of the Two-Dollar Circulation Coin

2003 - The End of an Era, The Birth of a New Effigy

2000 - Path of Knowledge

1999 - The Founding of Nunavut

1996-1998 and 2001-2003 - Original Toonie

THE STORY BEHIND OUR HISTORY
100TH ANNIVERSARY OF WOMEN'S RIGHT TO VOTE