Canadian Mint Issues Spring 2011 Collector Coins

The Royal Canadian Mint is heralding the return of spring with a parade of coins showcasing Canada’s unique ties to royalty and its profound attachment to its natural and cultural heritage.

These appealing new coins include: the new $15 Sterling Silver Continuity of the Crown series; a $3 Fine Silver "Family Scene" coin; the Orca Whale coin from the $3 Sterling Silver Gold-Plated Wildlife Conservation Series; the "Barn Swallow" from the 25-Cent Coloured Birds of Canada series; the Elk Calf Young Wildlife Specimen Set and the classic 2011 50-Cent Circulation Coin Roll.

"The Royal Canadian Mint is constantly inspired by Canada’s unique historical, cultural and natural heritage as it creates collector coins which continue to be sought world-wide for their appeal and craftsmanship," said Ian E. Bennett, President and CEO of the Royal Canadian Mint. "In the spring of 2011, we are proud to introduce innovative and artistic collector coins which engage Canadians from coast to coast to coast, as well as the world’s coin collecting community".

Below are descriptions of the featured products available to the public today.

2011 $15 Prince Charles, William and Harry Silver Coins

Proud to celebrate Canada’s 144 year-old royal heritage and its own tradition of crafting royal-themed coins, the Mint is introducing a trio of ultra-high relief, sterling silver coins featuring Princes William, Harry and Charles. The first two coins from this $15 sterling silver series feature Prince William and Prince Harry (Henry).

The coin featuring Prince Charles will be released in September, 2011 as Canada counts down to Queen Elizabeth II’s Diamond Jubilee and, as already announced, the Mint adds to this excitement with even more "royal" coins.

Each coin is limited to only 10,000 examples world-wide and feature contemporary portraits of Princes William, Harry and Charles, designed by Canadian artist Laurie McGaw, with the approval of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. Already unique for having royal effigies on both their sides, these coins have a spectacular medallic quality imparted by their quadruple-struck, ultra-high relief.

Crafted of sterling silver and bearing a $15 face value, each of these coins retails for $109.95 CAD and can be purchased individually or as a three-coin subscription. Subscribers to this series will receive a complimentary three-coin clam shell case to display and preserve this outstanding collection.

2011 $3 Family Scene Silver Coin

As Mother’s Day approaches, the image of a caring Inuit mother sheltering her child in her amauti, a traditional parka whose large hood is designed to carry a baby, is a charming tribute to the universal spirit of motherhood.

This $3 fine silver coin is beautifully enhanced by selective gold plating which brings to life this heart-warming scene created by artist Andrew Qappik.

The pink gold-plated braid surrounding this image plated in yellow gold illustrates the typical braiding of an Inuit woman’s hair and hints at the unbreakable bond between mother and child.  

This 99.99% pure silver token of love to mothers all over the world is limited to a mintage of 10,000 coins and retails for $64.95 CAD.  

2011 $3 Orca Whale Silver Gold Plated Coin

The third issue in a four coin series which raises awareness of some of Canada’s most vulnerable wildlife species features the Orca Whale in a unique, square-shaped coin made of gold-plated sterling silver.

This icon of Canada’s West Coast, revered by First Nations people as a master hunter and guardian of the sea, is beautifully interpreted by accomplished coin designer Jason Bouwman.

This stunning coin is limited to only 15,000 examples worldwide and retails for $62.95 CAD.

2011 25-Cent Barn Swallow Coloured Coin

The enduring popularity of the Mint’s coloured 25-cent Birds of Canada coin series is sure to soar once again with the brilliant image of a female Barn Swallow feeding her young.

Illustrated by Ontario wildlife artist Arnold Nogy and reproduced in a vibrant paint application over a large nickel-plated steel coin, this agile and attractive bird is a fixture of Canada’s rural landscape.

This coin, which should attract numismatists and birders alike, is limited to a mintage of 14,000 and retails for $25.95 CAD.

2011 Elk Calf Wildlife Specimen Set

Appealing to young coin collectors everywhere, the Mint is once again introducing a youthful companion to its classic annual specimen set in 2011.

Senior Mint Engraver Christie Paquet has created a captivating image of a new-born elk precariously testing its legs in a summer meadow on a special-edition bi-metallic two-dollar coin.

This coin is accompanied by all of Canada’s other 2011 circulation coins bearing the distinctly lined background of a specimen finish.

The limited world-wide mintage of this newest specimen set is 15,000 and it is available for $49.95 CAD.

2011 50-Cent Circulation Coin Roll

One of the Mint’s most timeless collectibles returns in 2011 with the latest edition of the 50-cent piece, featuring its classic Canadian Coat of Arms design, in a commemorative paper wrap roll of 25 coins. Limited to a world-wide mintage of only 7,000 rolls, this classic collector piece can be purchased for $24.95 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, Winnipeg and Vancouver, as well as through our global network of dealers and distributors, including participating Canada Post outlets.

About 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.