MONTREAL, March 15, 2013 /CNW/ - The Royal Canadian Mint is pleased to
honour the Hero of Châteauguay; Lieutenant Colonel Charles-Michel de
Salaberry on its newest 25-cent circulation coin commemorating the
heroes of the War of 1812, unveiled today by Mr. Guy Dancosse of the
Royal Canadian Mint Board of Directors and Mr. Guy Vadeboncoeur,
Executive Director and Chief Curator of the Stewart Museum at the
Stewart Museum in Montreal, Quebec. It is the third of four
circulation coins which commemorate key historical figures which
influenced the fight for Canada from 1812 to 1814.
"The Royal Canadian Mint is committed to preserving memories of the
people, places and events which tell the story of the Canadian
experience and the remembrance of the heroes of the War of 1812 is a
wonderful way to celebrate our proud values," said Ian E. Bennett,
President and CEO of the Royal Canadian Mint. "Lieutenant Colonel de
Salaberry and his Voltigeurs militia loom large among the many heroes
who valiantly defended Canada 200 years ago and the Mint is delighted
to have issued a special 25-cent circulation coin which allows
Canadians to learn more about their importance to our history as they
discover and collect this new coin."
The War of 1812 paved the way for Confederation. It was the fight for
Canada and a defining moment in our country's history that saw British
regular forces, English and French-speaking militia, First Nations and
Métis1 allies join together to defend our borders2. Without their courage and sacrifice, Canada as we know it would not
exist.
Lieutenant Colonel Charles-Michel de Salaberry served as an officer of
the British army in Lower Canada (now Quebec). As war loomed in the
spring of 1812, he helped raise a unit of militia corps, known as the
Canadian Voltigeurs, from among his primarily French Canadian
compatriots. These new forces would help defend Lower Canada against
the imminent attack.
He is best known for the Battle of Châteauguay in October of 1813, where
about 1,700 Canadians helped repel around 3,000 American troops and
Montreal was saved from a large-scale attack.3
Limited to a mintage of 12.5 million coins, the Charles-Michel de
Salaberry 25-cent commemorative circulation coin begins circulating on
March 18, 2013. The public is encouraged to look for it in their change
as of that date. Coin exchanges at Mint boutiques and special events
will be announced locally.
The Mint has also released a number of exquisite precious metal
collector coins to add to the celebration of the 200th anniversary of the War of 1812. On March 12, 2013, the Mint issued a
$4 face value 99.99% pure silver coin featuring a portrait of
Lieutenant Colonel de Salaberry, set against an intricately engraved
background consisting of the bilingual text "The War of 1812/La guerre
de 1812." This coin is also emblazoned by the engraved and painted
Government of Canada War of 1812 logo. Limited to a mintage of only
10,000 examples world-wide, it retails for $49.95 CDN. More details on
this and other 1812 collectibles can be found at www.mint.ca/1812.
This product, and others, can also be purchased from www.mint.ca; the Mint's boutiques in Ottawa, Winnipeg and Vancouver; and through
our network of distributors, including participating Canada Post
outlets. Phone orders can also be placed by directly contacting the
Mint at 1-800-267-1871 in Canada and 1-800-268-6468 in the US.
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 Mint's newest War of 1812 commemorative circulation coin
are available by visiting ftp://communications:RCM2007@ftp.mint.ca.
_____________________
1http://www.forces.gc.ca/site/feature-vedette/2012/01/index-eng.asp
2 http://www.1812.gc.ca/eng/1305658803194/1317921921396
3http://www.1812.gc.ca/eng/1340204031317
Backgrounder
2012 25-CENT CIRCULATION COIN:
200TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE WAR OF 1812
"LIEUTENANT COLONEL CHARLES-MICHEL DE SALABERRY"
As the commemoration of the 200th anniversary of the War of 1812 carries into 2013, the stories of heroic
figures whose brave acts assured the defense of a future Canada
continue to spark our national pride. One of the most celebrated was
Lieutenant Colonel Charles-Michel de Salaberry. Dubbed "The Hero of
Châteauguay", he was a distinguished British Army commander whose
leadership of the legendary Voltigeurs French Canadian Militia ensured
the successful defense of Montreal and all of Lower Canada (now Quebec)
from 1812 to 1814.
Charles-Michel d'Irumberry de Salaberry was born in 1778 in Beauport,
Lower Canada, to a prominent family of Royal Army officers. De
Salaberry enlisted in the 44th Foot Regiment at age 14 and served
primarily in the Caribbean, Ireland, and the Netherlands before
returning to Lower Canada in 1810 as a brevet-major. With war between
the United States and Britain close at hand, he formed a militia to
help defend Lower Canada. His group of Colonial regulars, the
Voltigeurs Canadiens, was a light infantry unit that would become one
of the most successful and well-known units to fight in the War of
1812.
Lieutenant Colonel de Salaberry vaulted into history at the Battle of
Châteauguay in October 1813, when he and his outnumbered Voltigeurs
forced thousands of American forces attempting to capture the city of
Montreal to retreat. This was the first of several victories that
prevented American plans to take Montreal; including Crysler's Farm in
November 1813, and at Lacolle Mills in March 1814. After the end of
hostilities, de Salaberry went on to serve in the Legislature of Lower
Canada and he died in Chambly in 1829.
The reverse image of this new 25-cent circulation coin features a
portrait of Lieutenant Colonel de Salaberry, designed by Nova Scotia
artist Bonnie Ross, against an intricately engraved background
comprised of the words "The War of 1812" in both English and French.
Featured in the design is the stylized maple leaf from the Government
of Canada War of 1812 logo, on which "1812" appears in antique script.
In all, 12.5 million of these commemorative circulation coins have been
produced in two distinct finishes: half of them feature a coloured
maple leaf from the War of 1812 logo, while the remaining coins have a
frosted portrait of Lieutenant Colonel de Salaberry while the maple
leaf remains unpainted.
The obverse features the effigy of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II by
Susanna Blunt.
Canadians can find this new coin in general circulation as of March 18,
2013, or order limited quantities through an online coin exchange at www.mint.ca/1812, as of April 9, 2013.
SOURCE: Royal Canadian Mint
