The Royal Canadian Mint’s world-famous "Million Dollar Coin" made its Asian debut at Beijing’s Olympic Expo 2008 (Olympex). The unveiling was conducted by The Honourable David Emerson, Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Olympic Committee President Jacques Rogge and Honorary IOC President for Life Juan Antonio Samaranch.
This unprecedented coin, recently certified by Guinness World Records as the world’s largest gold bullion coin, represents the international bullion industry’s summit of achievement in gold purity.
The Mint is also participating in Olympex to showcase its Vancouver 2010 coin program, the largest ever produced in honour of an Olympic Games. It will also display specimens of coins minted in celebration of past Olympic Games hosted in Canada, as well as offer unique and innovative collector coins and gifts for sale to visitors to the Mint’s booth.
"The Royal Canadian Mint is delighted to come to Beijing in the spirit of the Olympic Games to showcase the world’s best and most exclusive gold bullion coin and to show the people of the People’s Republic of China and visitors to Beijing the stunning variety of collector coins and gifts we have crafted in celebration of the Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games," said Ian E. Bennett, President and CEO of the Royal Canadian Mint.
"The Mint is sure that its exceptional products will give visitors to its booth an exciting perspective of Canadian know-how and creativity."
"The Olympic Games are an unrivalled opportunity for Canada to showcase the best it has to offer, and this also applies to the Royal Canadian Mint’s products," said the Honourable David Emerson, Minister of Foreign Affairs.
"The Beijing Games bring many cultures together, and the Mint’s gold and silver works of art represent Canada’s spirit and heritage in a unique and appealing way."
The Mint will participate in Olympic Expo Beijing 2008 from August 8 to 18, 2008. Its booth will be located in the Hall 12 of the Beijing Exhibition Centre.
In addition to selling collector coins and gifts celebrating the Vancouver 2010 Winter Games, the Mint will offer other coins and collectibles for purchase as well as exhibit numismatic coins it struck in honour of the 1988 Calgary Winter Games and the 1976 Montreal Summer Games.
The Mint’s celebrated 100-kg, 99999 Pure Gold Maple Leaf bullion coin will also be prominently displayed at the booth throughout Beijing Olympex, where visitors can view a DVD movie detailing the fabrication of this unique masterpiece.
The 100-kg, 99999 pure gold bullion coin with a $1 million face value was originally conceived as a unique showpiece to promote the Mint’s new line of 99999 pure one-ounce Gold Maple Leaf bullion coins, which constitute the pure gold bullion market’s pinnacle of quality.
Since its introduction in 2007, the famous "Million Dollar Coin" has dazzled audiences in Canada and around the world, including the United States, Germany, the United Arab Emirates, Austria, Finland, and the Baltic States.
About The Royal Canadian Mint
The Royal Canadian Mint, which is celebrating its 100th anniversary in 2008, is the Crown Corporation responsible for the minting and distribution of Canada’s circulation coins. An ISO 9001-2000 certified company, the Mint is recognized as one of the largest and most versatile mints in the world, offering a wide range of specialized, high quality coinage products and related services on an international scale. For more information on the Mint’s history, its products and services, please visit www.mint.ca.
