Keep the change: Canada’s first-ever blue dime is now in circulation

Oct 27 2021, 9:39 pm

Royal Canadian Mint is giving Canadians a colourful reason to check their change.

Canada’s first-ever coloured dimes were recently put into circulation, complete with a new design and an eye-catching splash of blue.

The redesign of the dime is meant to commemorate the Bluenose, the famous fishing schooner that made its debut in March 1921 and, at the time, was “the sleekest and fastest fishing schooner the world had ever seen,” according to Royal Canadian Mint.

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Royal Canadian Mint

dime

Royal Canadian Mint

In addition to being a successful working vessel, it also won a number of racing titles on both national and international stages.

Royal Canadian Mint says that this is the first redesign of the Bluenose since it appeared on Canada’s 10-cent coin in 1937 and celebrates the famous fishing schooner’s 100th anniversary.

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Royal Canadian Mint

Designed by Nova Scotian marine artist Yves Bérubé, the reverse side of the coin shows an angled view of the Bluenose under full sail on an open ocean. This design will be found on both the coloured and uncoloured versions, but the coloured versions feature a bright splash of blue — meant to represent the North Atlantic waters that the Bluenose navigated through.

The obverse side of the coin features the effigy of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II by Susanna Blunt.

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Royal Canadian Mint

Both the coloured and uncoloured versions of the coin began circulating on October 22, including six million coloured and nine million uncoloured.

“The skill and teamwork of Nova Scotians made Bluenose a world champion, as well as one of the most famous ships in Canadian history,” said the Honourable Hon. Pat Dunn, Minister of Communities, Culture, Tourism and Heritage for Nova Scotia.

“This commemorative Bluenose coin will remind all Nova Scotians how our connection to the sea and our innovative spirit has created our determination to succeed.”

Vincent PlanaVincent Plana

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