Canada's new striking Remembrance Day coin could land in your change
Keep an eye out for a red poppy in your change — Canada just released a stunning new Remembrance Day circulation coin.
The Royal Canadian Mint launched a $2 commemorative circulation coin honouring the 25th anniversary of the repatriation of the Unknown Soldier. It was unveiled on Tuesday by military and government officials attending the annual Veterans’ Week Candlelight Tribute in Ottawa.
“The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier stands as a powerful symbol of the more than 120,000 Canadians who gave their lives for peace and freedom,” said Minister of Veterans Affairs Jill McKnight in a statement. “This coin not only marks the 25th anniversary of the entombment, it helps preserve the proud legacy of our fallen heroes and ensures their sacrifice is never forgotten.”
The Royal Canadian Mint
In May 2000, the remains of the Unknown Soldier were brought back to Canada from a First World War military cemetery located near Vimy, France.
The casket of the Unknown Soldier resided in the Hall of Honour in Parliament’s Centre Block for three days, where thousands of Canadians came to pay their respects. On May 28, 2000, the remains of the Unknown Soldier were entombed with full military honours in a granite-and-bronze sarcophagus at Canada’s National War Memorial.
“We hope that Canadians who find these coins in their change will be inspired to reflect on the courage and commitment of all those who made the ultimate sacrifice, or placed nation above self in defence of Canada,” stated Marie Lemay, president and CEO of the Royal Canadian Mint.
The design
The Royal Canadian Mint
The $2 coin was designed by Canadian artist Mary-Ann Liu, who is also the sculptor of the bronze relief on the Unknown Soldier’s tomb.
The inner core of the toonie’s reverse depicts a street-level view of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in front of the National War Memorial in Ottawa. Silhouettes of four sentries representing all Canadians who serve or have served appear behind the tomb.
A coloured version of the coin includes a red poppy. The obverse features the effigy of King Charles III by Canadian artist Steven Rosati.
How Canadians can collect this coin
The Royal Canadian Mint
This toonie could land in your wallet. Limited to a mintage of three million coins — including two million coloured versions – the new $2 commemorative circulation coin began circulating on Wednesday, Nov. 5.
According to the Mint, Canadians will start seeing it in their change as bank branches and businesses replenish their inventories of toonies.
If you’re a serious coin collector, you don’t have to wait for it to show up in your change. You can purchase both the coloured and uncoloured versions on the Mint’s website.