New $1 Coin Celebrates L. M. Montgomery’s 150th Anniversary

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The Royal Canadian Mint is releasing a new $1 commemorative circulation coin honouring L. M. Montgomery, one of the most prolific and widely read authors in Canadian history.

Anne of Green Gables and the circulation coin commemorating author L. M. Montgomery (Cavendish, PEI)
Anne of Green Gables and the circulation coin commemorating author L. M. Montgomery (Cavendish, PEI)

On the 150TH anniversary of her birth, this coin pays tribute to Montgomery’s talent and enduring contributions to Canadian and world literature, as well as her role in popularizing Prince Edward Island (PEI) and Canada through her timeless Anne of Green Gables novel series and other memorable works. This coin will start entering circulation on June 27, 2024.

"The Anne of Green Gables novels are iconic works of Canadian literature, and have captivated millions of readers in Canada and around the world," said The Honourable Chrystia Freeland, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance. "This new coin in tribute to L. M. Montgomery and her literary masterpieces will help keep the story of Anne in our pockets for generations to come."

The coin was unveiled at Green Gables Heritage Place, the family house and farmstead administered by Parks Canada that Montgomery used as the inspiration for the setting of her novel Anne of Green Gables.

LMM Coin Unveil Official
(From left to right) Anne Shirley, Royal Canadian Mint President and CEO Marie Lemay, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance Chrystia Freeland, Kate Mcdonald Butler, Dr. Kate Scarth Ph. D., and author Carley Fortune unveil the $1 commemorative circulation coin honouring famed author L. M. Montgomery at Green Gables Heritage Place in Cavendish, PEI on June 26, 2024. (Below) PEI Finance Minister Jill Burridge, artist Brenda Jones, MP Sean Casey, MP Heath MacDonald, Parks Canada CEO Ron Hollman and Mint Board member Kevin Darling.

Its artwork is the creation of Prince Edward Island artist Brenda Jones. It features a profile portrait of the beloved Canadian author (1874-1942) around the time Anne of Green Gables was written, along with the author’s signature and the cat drawing she often included when signing her name.

"The life and legacy of L. M. Montgomery is the kind of story that belongs on the first circulation coin to celebrate an author," said Marie Lemay, President and CEO of the Royal Canadian Mint. "With her iconic tales of Anne Shirley still being translated into dozens of languages and adapted for stage and screen, we are proud to have represented Montgomery’s story on a coin that will be shared and treasured for generations."

To convey the power of Montgomery’s imagination, the coin design flows from the view of the author putting pen to paper (represented by the portfolio and inkwell) to that of Anne Shirley gazing out at PEI farmland – the real-life inspiration for many of Montgomery’s stories. The obverse features the effigy of His Majesty King Charles III by Canadian artist Steven Rosati.

"I greatly admire my grandmother, for her contribution to Canadian literature and culture, her strength of character, and the love, pride and sense of responsibility she gave to my family," said Montgomery’s granddaughter, Kate Macdonald Butler. "For her to be commemorated on millions of circulation coins is an unimaginable honour and I hope Canadians will cherish it as much as I do, not only for the stories she told, but for the woman she was."

Born in Clifton, PEI in 1874, L. M. Montgomery published hundreds of short stories and poems, in addition to 20 novels, including the famed: Anne of Green Gables stories. She eventually settled in Toronto, where she died in 1942. Montgomery was finally laid to rest in PEI’s Cavendish Cemetery – a last return to the island she so cherished.

Limited to a mintage of three million coins, of which two million are coloured, this new

$1 circulation coin begins circulating on June 27, 2024.  It will reach Canadians through their change as bank branches and businesses replenish their coin inventories.

Other collector products adding to this commemoration include coloured and uncoloured special wrap rolls of 25 uncirculated coins each, as well as a fine silver coin.

These collectibles can be ordered as of today by contacting the Mint at 1-800-267-1871 in Canada, 1-800-268-6468 in the US, or online at www.mint.ca/LMM. They are also available at the Royal Canadian Mint’s Ottawa and Winnipeg boutiques, as well as through the Mint’s 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. The Mint is one of the largest and most versatile mints in the world, producing award-winning collector coins, market-leading bullion products, as well as Canada’s prestigious military and civilian honours.  As an established London and COMEX Good Delivery refiner, the Mint also offers a full spectrum of best-in-class gold and silver refining services.  As an organization that strives to take better care of the environment, to cultivate safe and inclusive workplaces and to make a positive impact on the communities where it operates, the Mint integrates environmental, social and governance practices in every aspect of its operations.

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Rick

Yesterday E1 said, “Ok, that’s one insane piece. You gotta like it! I think you’re on a roll Rick. Another Rock Star Coin in the Box. “You see what you have done to me E1?” Yes, you’ve become an expert and you’re having a great time. The great escape. Isn’t it awesome! Back in the day, I remember buying coins and stamps from mail order catalogs and magazines. Sometimes making purchases over the phone. My dad would take us to the Westchester Stamp and Coin show once a year as kids. Today, we’ve got eBay, Great Collections, TV Coin Shows,… Read more »

1970-D-OBVERSE-GC
E 1

That’s a big gamble Rick. I would cross it if they can guarantee a 7. If it crosses to a 7, then I would have it conserved with a guarantee of the same grade or better. If it comes back 7+, then you hit big time pay dirt. If it comes back a 6, then you have a very painful lesson. I’ve had a few. Exercise topflight communication throughout the process. Risk nothing. It might be safer to have NCS/NGC do the conservation with a grade guarantee avoiding the cross-over risk. Also, I think that coin has been conserved before.… Read more »

E 1

Kaiser,

True, there are intricacies in this hobby held by few, but cannot be denied.

Rick

We’re going to need to remember that one. I could use it on occasion.
It’s totally E1, and an instant classic.

E 1

Kaiser,

If I can give just one person in this world a little bit of joyful wisdom, then I have made a difference.

Plaque at it.

Cheers

Major D

Rick, thanks for sharing. I had no idea that the 1970-D Kennedy was worth so much in MS67 and that the NGC population is only 23 with nothing higher. In looking at other years I see that 1965, 1966, 1967, 1969-D, 1971, 1974 and 1984-D are not too shabby in MS67 as well. I really need to examine all of my special sets and uncirculated sets for those years to see if I have any contenders.

Rick

Major D you should take a look. It’s worth it if you find something. There’s many more of those nicer set coins out there just waiting to be discovered imo. True estate, online, & garage sales, etc.. It’s those pickers like yourself that deserve the payoff for the work. Good luck! I’m more of an auction picker & upgrader sometimes, but not all are bargains & winners. The 1970-D in that grade was not cheap by any means, nor terribly too much($3900). With around 20 at NGC, and 20 at PCGS it is a bonafide grade scarcity. It has room… Read more »

Last edited 6 months ago by Rick
Rick

Even Steven my friend. You are never lesser of anything in my book. More likely more than, in more ways than one(what did I just say?)✓ My spending varies quite a bit. Lately it has been on the increase, but only after liquidating much Silver, just like what AKBob has been doing. I am just a blue collar construction guy believe it or not. My whole life….. Some of my fancy new coins seen as of late are actually purchases going back several years. The 2009 UHR, Indian & spouses as an example. They seem new because of my ‘OGP… Read more »

VinnieC

Kaiser Wilhelm,
Although I probably wouldn’t pursue this at the RCMint, It might have been in interesting find in loose change. However I live in the US and not Canada. On a trip to Canada I got a fairly new glow-in-the dark Toonie as change from a ticket vending machine.

Major D

In a previous thread, regarding the NA$, Rick wrote: “BTW these coins are now being introduced into circulation along with the AI coins and have been for a bit as far as I can tell? The product limit faithful guys keep scratching their heads, but it really isn’t necessary at all. You can spread & circulate the NA$ and AI$ around to your heart’s content.” Rick, I wouldn’t say I’m one of the “product limit faithful guys” as I have absolutely no faith in the Mint honoring anything when it comes to limits. But the Circulating Bulk Purchase Program, that… Read more »

bulk-bag
Major D

Yes, Kaiser you got me there! If there was any demand at all I guess you’d have a really big dealer act as a distributor to divvy up a bunch of pre-orders from other mid-dealers, who then in turn sell to smaller dealers until you cascade down to the end customer– with each one tacking on their fee to the next one.

AKBob

Major D, back about 10-15 years ago, the US Mint stopped allowing the purchase of those pallets of pennies using a credit card. There were people purchasing them using their credit cards in order to get miles. Then once they received the pallet of pennies, they’d just return it to a bank or a Fed place and get refunded for what they paid for it. After this was going on for a few years, the Mint wised up to it and stopped that. You know, if there’s a way to cheat, there are people out there that will, just a… Read more »

Major D

AKBob, now that you mentioned it, I do remember hearing about that. I can’t image trying to return a palette of 140,000 dollars, and credit cards now will deduct cash-back points for refunds so there’s that. But to have that kind of high credit limit on a card likely means you wouldn’t sweat cash-back points. But 2% cash back on $151,900 would be $3,038. Almost enough to buy a 1-oz gold coin.

Last edited 6 months ago by Major D
Major D

Kaiser, I agree with you. And I’m sorry to hear that you weren’t feeling well of late. For my own situation I’m reminded of my Dad telling me “Son, don’t get old” when I find myself saying the same thing to my son. I hope you feel better soon!

AKBob

Women are taking Ozempic for dieting, we have several friends taking it AND I read about the shortages of that particular medication and how it’s for diabetes folks and now they are/were having shortages. I actually tried subtly to make them feel guilty, lol! One of our friends that was taking it now has bad stomach issues. My wife’s an RN and she told all of the gals taking it about the side affects. Very sorry to hear you had problems getting them. That My Friend really sucks to put it plainly. I hope your doing better very soooon!!

Major D

Hang in there, Kaiser! Liver issue for me, too. It does explain the ads I get. I’ve been pondering your deep question about “time”.

Last edited 6 months ago by Major D
Major D

Kaiser, back to lyrics I think one of the best is from Pink Floyd: The sun is the same in a relative way But you’re older. And for a more expansive perspective, how about Monty Python’s Galaxy Song? Ok, now my take on the question you posed earlier: “if the material universe were to no longer exist, would that mean the end of time also?” My answer is yes. What is “time” anyways? I’d say it’s a measure of change (in events, in movement and in energy). Consider how an atomic clock works. So, if the material universe were to… Read more »

Rick

Although not quite in the same category as Einstein, a few names pop up of some worthy candidates for great, scientific thinkers. and in no specific order…
1) Neil deGrasse Tyson
2) Carl Sagan
3) Michio Kaku
4) Stephen Hawking
And the list goes on and on no doubt…

Major D

Kaiser, if you’re not already familiar check out John Archibald Wheeler (Participatory Anthropic Principle) and Roger Penrose (connection between fundamental physics and human consciousness).