Ottawa, Ontario — The Royal Canadian Mint marked spring’s arrival with a strong accent on nature in the launch of exciting new coins designed to appeal to the discerning collector and the budding coin enthusiast alike.
A number of popular series continue in this latest release of 2010, notably: the 99.999% pure gold Canadian Floral Emblems series featuring Manitoba’s Prairie Crocus; the 1/25 oz. pure gold coin honouring the RCMP; the Birds of Canada 25-cent coin series celebrating the colourful Goldfinch; and the 2010 50-cent specially-wrapped coin roll.
New entries include a $20 Fine Silver coin adorned with a painted water lily and CRYSTALLIZED™ Swarovski Elements; a $2 "Young Lynx" circulation coin in a new Wildlife Specimen Set series; and, new Coin Collector Cards featuring complete sets of 2010 circulation coins available in four different "all-Canadian" backgrounds.
"Every year, Royal Canadian Mint coins are inspired by the best of Canada’s history, culture and values and the richness of these most recent themes proudly stands out on the best collector coins in the world," said Ian E. Bennett, President and CEO of the Royal Canadian Mint.
"In the spring of 2010, our collector products continue to demonstrate that quality, innovation and artistry are at the heart of every coin produced by the Royal Canadian Mint".
Below are descriptions of the featured products being launched today.
2010 $20 FINE SILVER COIN — WATER LILY
The addition of genuine CRYSTALLIZED™ Swarovski Elements to finely crafted Royal Canadian Mint numismatic coins has delighted collectors since their first appearance of our popular Crystal Snowflake and Crystal Raindrop coins.
In 2010, this innovative enhancement simulates three water droplets shimmering over a beautifully painted water lily gracing the reverse of a 99.99% pure silver coin.
The painting of a blooming water lily on an impressive 38 mm coin is inspired by the 75th anniversary of Flore laurentienne, a seminal compendium of Canadian flora by renowned botanist Brother Marie-Victorin.
Designed by Quebec wildlife artist Claudio d’Angelo, this coin is limited to a mintage of 10,000 coins worldwide and retails for $104.95 CDN.
2010 PURE GOLD COIN — PRAIRIE CROCUS
The Mint’s 2010 $350 Pure Gold Coin is the 13th in a series started in 1998 and features the Prairie Crocus, Manitoba’s official flower.
Made of 99.999% pure gold, this newest addition to a precious collection of Canadian floral emblems stands out as the finest gold collector coin in the world.
The reverse of this exquisite coin was designed by Ontario botanical artist Celia Godkin.
Limited to a worldwide mintage of 1,400, this coin retails for $2,599.95 CDN.
The smallest gold collector coin currently produced by the Mint has been a perennial favourite since its introduction in 2004.
In 2010, the 1/25 oz 99.99% pure gold coin is dedicated to the RCMP, one of Canada’s best known and most enduring icons.
This coin is limited to a world-wide mintage of 14,000 and retails for $109.95 CDN.
2010 25-CENT COLOURED COIN — GOLDFINCH
The bright canary-yellow plumage of a male American Goldfinch is sure to catch the attention of collectors looking for the latest coloured 25-cent coin from the Mint’s Birds of Canada series.
Illustrated by Ontario wildlife artist Arnold Nogy and reproduced in a vibrant paint application over a large nickel-plated steel coin, this attractive bird is well-known throughout Southern Canada.
This coin, which should attract numismatists and birders alike, is limited to a mintage of 14,000 coins worldwide and retails for $24.95 CDN.
2010 SPECIAL EDITION $2 COIN SPECIMEN SET
Aware that coin collecting often starts at a young age, the Mint is launching a youthful companion to its classic annual specimen set in 2010.
Budding coin enthusiasts are sure to relate to finely engraved depictions of young Canadian wildlife on the reverse of a two-dollar coin designed by Senior Mint Engraver Christie Paquet, which is the centrepiece of this inaugural specimen set.
Featuring a pair of Lynx kits, it is accompanied by all of Canada’s other 2010 circulation coins (with the exception of the Polar Bear $2 coin).
The limited worldwide mintage for this attractive new specimen set is 15,000, and it is available for $49.95 CDN
Collector cards are a great way to combine an annual circulation coin collection with a theme of special significance to the collector.
With a selection of four new coin collector cards, the Mint is offering Canadians or visitors to our great land new ways to collect a full set of circulation coins, in brilliant uncirculated finish, in a card which evokes their favourite memory of Canada.
Cards bearing classic Canadian themes of maple leaves; a Polar Bear; the RCMP; or a canoe are available for $19.95 each, while quantities last.
2010 CIRCULATION COIN ROLL — 50 CENT
One of the Mint’s longest-running collectibles makes a return in 2010 with the latest edition of the 50-cent piece in a commemorative paper wrap roll of 25 coins.
Limited to a world-wide mintage of 6,000 rolls, this classic collector piece can be purchased for $19.95 CDN.
All of the Mint’s products are available directly from the Mint at 1-800-267-1871 in Canada, 1-800-268-6468 in the US, or on the Internet at www.mint.ca.
The coins are also available at the Royal Canadian Mint’s boutiques in Ottawa and Winnipeg as well as through our global network of dealers and distributors.
About the Royal Canadian Mint
The Royal Canadian Mint is the Crown Corporation responsible for the minting and distribution of Canada’s circulation coins.
An ISO 9001-2008 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, its products and services, visit www.mint.ca.
