OTTAWA, Aug. 12, 2013 /CNW/ - From its natural beauty to the vitality of its artistic and cultural
communities, Canada's spirit is again captured on exciting new
collector coins from the Royal Canadian Mint. Majestic bald eagles,
iconic caribou, a haunting barn owl and a fall canopy of maple trees
complement a new perspective on Canadian contemporary art and the Chinese zodiac's Year of the Horse in celebrating the many layers of
Canada's heritage. These new products can now be ordered from the
Mint.
"Nature, art and culture have long shaped Canadian identity and the
Royal Canadian Mint is always proud to find new ways to celebrate these
themes on our world-renowned collector coins," said Ian E. Bennett,
President and CEO of the Royal Canadian Mint. "With a unique
combination of handcrafting and innovative manufacturing techniques,
the Mint's newest coins are unforgettable tributes to both our timeless
icons and the spirit of modern-day Canada."
Canada's thriving art scene is represented by the work of Montreal's
Carlito Dalceggio in the first of a new Canadian Contemporary Art
series of fine silver coins. His piece entitled Harmony depicts the fusion of humanity and nature as an aspect of a definition
of Canada. The enchanting creation on the reverse of this coin comes to
life through the interplay of different coin finishes; each with its
own degree of luster. As its design is also a circular narrative with
no starting point, it can be admired from any angle.
Nature also takes centre stage through the continuation of several
popular coin series. The second Bald Eagle $20 face-value, 99.99% pure
silver coin designed by nature artist Claudio D'Angelo features Lifelong Mates; a pair of bald eagles perched majestically on a rocky shoreline as
they overlook their territory. This coin also features contrasting
finishes and unique edge lettering denoting its 1 oz. weight and fine
silver composition. Another favourite of bird lovers and coin
collectors is the Birds of Canada series which continues its successful
run with a striking image of a barn owl by artist Trevor Tennant. This
coloured 25-cent cupronickel coin is the 12th in a series that has consistently sold out.
Artist Margaret Best's stark interpretation of a maple tree in late
fall, accentuated by two coloured leaves drifting to the ground, is the
subject of the second coin in the "Canadian Maple Canopy" series. This
$20 face-value, 99.99% pure silver coin offers yet another perspective
on a timeless Canadian icon.
An annual tribute to Canada's multiculturalism is renewed with a
treasure trove of coins featuring the Chinese lunar calendar's Year of
the Horse, whose symbolism of life, liberty and happiness, as well as
its physical and mental agility, will be widely celebrated in Canada in
2014.
Various interpretations of the horse appear on no less than six new
2014-dated coins:
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a 99.99% pure gold kilo with a $2,500 face value;
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a fine silver (99.99% pure) kilo coin with a $250 face value;
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a $150 face-value, 99.99% pure gold coin;
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$15 and $10 face-value fine silver coins; and
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a $15 face-value fine silver Lunar Lotus, with an exceptional scalloped
edge.
A fresh approach to a perennial favourite is the 2013 Silver Dollar
Specimen Set. Celebrating the 100th Anniversary of the Canadian Arctic Expedition, the first-ever silver
dollar with a specimen finish can only be found in this set featuring
specimen versions of Canada's 2013-dated circulation coinage.
The Mint's latest release concludes with the O Canada series' tribute to
the iconic caribou, featured on a $5 pure gold coin, and $10 and $25
fine silver coins.
Mintages, pricing and full background information on each product can be
found on the "Shop" tab of www.mint.ca.
All of these products can be ordered directly from the Mint at
1-800-267-1871 in Canada, 1-800-268-6468 in the US, or online at www.mint.ca. The coins will also be available as of August 13, 2013 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 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 collection are available by visiting
ftp://communications:RCM2007@ftp.mint.ca.
SOURCE Government of Canada
