OTTAWA, Feb. 1, 2013 /CNW/ - After five successful launches of 99.99%
pure, one-ounce silver coins celebrating Canada's rich and abundant
wildlife, the Mint is bringing its popular Canadian Wildlife Silver
Bullion Coin series to a close with a superb tribute to the Wood
bison. This 2013-dated addition to the Mint's silver bullion coin
program was launched today at the World Money Fair in Berlin, Germany
before a premier gathering of world mints, distributors and customers.
"The Mint has been delighted by consistent customer enthusiasm for our
Silver Wildlife bullion coin series and while it is ending with a sixth
and final coin, we look forward to continue introducing variety to the
bullion market and to building interest in our industry-leading
products," said Ian E. Bennett, President and CEO of the Royal Canadian
Mint. "As a majestic example of Canada's abundant wildlife, as well as
a great conservation success story, the uniquely Canadian Wood bison is
a fine ambassador for a bullion coin program which has made the Mint
stand out once again for innovation and quality."
The Mint's Ottawa facility will produce up to one million "Wood bison"
silver bullion coins. Through this special series, a total of six
different species of Canada's legendary wildlife, including the
grizzly; wolf; cougar; moose; and antelope, have been celebrated on
finely crafted bullion coins struck of the same pure silver as the
Mint's world-famous Silver Maple Leaf bullion coins. This new pure
silver bullion coin will soon be available through the Mint's extensive
network of bullion distributors.
The reverse image of the coin is designed by Canadian artist Emily
Damstra. It shows a Wood bison galloping in a vivid display of
strength and endurance. Canada is the only country in the world where
the Wood bison, a subspecies of the American bison, can be found in the
wild. Though 200,000 of these massive animals once prospered in the
woodlands of the Canadian West, only hundreds remained by the early
1900s due to over hunting and human encroachment.
Extensive conservation efforts have raised their number to more than
10,000 and today, protected Wood bison herds exist in parts of British
Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, the Yukon Territory, and the
Northwest Territories.
It is important to note that Mint does not sell bullion directly to the
public. Since the introduction of its first bullion coin in 1979, the Mint only
sells bullion in large volumes to a global network of bullion
distributors, who have the required infrastructure to sell and buy back
bullion on a daily basis, and at real-time market prices.
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.
Images of the new Canadian Wildlife silver bullion coin are available by
visiting ftp://communications:MINT2007@ftp.mint.ca.
SOURCE: Royal Canadian Mint
