The Royal Canadian Mint received a welcome accolade from its peers when the Mint Directors Conference, holding its 25 th annual meeting in Busan, Korea, presented it with the Most Technologically Advanced Circulation Coin Award for its 25-cent breast cancer coloured circulation coin. This is the second honour earned by this inspirational and innovative circulation coin, which was previously recognized in May 2007 as the “Best New Coin” by the International Association of Currency Affairs.

“The Royal Canadian Mint makes a great effort to be the best Mint in the world and it is immensely rewarding when our efforts are validated by our peers” said Ian E. Bennett, RCM President and CEO. “I welcome this award as the Mint marks its centennial year, and as my fellow employees and I proudly celebrate a century of innovation and achievement.”

The 25-cent breast cancer circulation coin features the iconic pink ribbon, the symbol of hope and awareness in the effort to create a future without breast cancer. Thirty million breast cancer coins entered into circulation beginning on April 1, 2006. These were the second coloured circulation coins to be produced by the Royal Canadian Mint’s Winnipeg facility, following the popular 25-cent poppy coin in the fall of 2004. Considered one of the most innovative mints in the world, the Mint has pioneered and perfected the technology process to apply colour to circulation coins.

About the Mint Directors Conference

The Mint Directors Conference (MDC) was organized for the purpose of exchanging information on all monetary matters and related legal, economic, technical, administrative and numismatic questions of interest to the minting industry. The MDC provides a forum for co-operating on the study of current issues and mutually agreeable solutions. The MDC also promotes study and research into all coin-related matters, including the implications of new means of payment

By Doug Andrews, World Coin News

Remaining competitive internationally, leveraging off technology and exploiting opportunities as world metal prices continue to rise will be the objectives of the Royal Canadian Mint, says its president and chief executive officer, Ian Bennett.

The Mint recently announced a record C$30.1 million profit for 2007.

“Our target had been growth, now it is growth and profit,” Bennett said. “We doubled our profit last year, which was a great achievement,” Bennett noted in an exclusive interview with World Coin News.

The mint’s use of its multi-ply plating process for circulating coinage is essential to attracting contracts from foreign governments.

“This allows us to produce coins at much lower cost than other mints, and it is part of our medium term plan, to exploit our competitive advantage as much as we can. Our goals are tough to achieve in this economy and with the rising Canadian dollar, but it’s something that we have to strive to do,” Bennett said.

Part of the RCM strategy is to invest in replacement of all the presses in its Winnipeg production facility with higher speed equipment, and to expand plating capacity. Since 2005 the plant has doubled its plating volume and has licensed its patented technology to leading suppliers, including Jarden Zinc Products Inc. of Greeneville, Tenn. The Canadian Mint is aggressively pursuing other partnerships in its quest for more foreign business.

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Celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Royal Canadian Mint with special commemorative coins! It has been 100 years since Governor General Earl Grey activated the press to strike a fifty-cent piece, Canada’s first domestically produced coin. What would become known as the Royal Canadian Mint was officially open for business.

“Every commemorative coin produced by the Mint expresses a theme or ideal that reflects Canada’s heritage and values,” stated Mr. Ian E. Bennett, President and CEO of the Royal Canadian Mint. “These magnificent new coins capture the essence of Canada’s world-renowned mint during our centennial year and we are pleased to offer them as part of the celebrations.”

With a proud tradition in both silver and gold coin production, the Mint is issuing four commemorative numismatic coins to celebrate its monumental anniversary, all of which are now available.

5-ounce gold and 5-ounce silver coins

The exquisite craftsmanship and finish of the 5-ounce gold and 5-ounce silver coins enhance its design, the majestic architecture of the Ottawa Mint’s historic building on Sussex Drive. Bearing a face value of $500 and available for $8,159.95, the 5-ounce gold coin has been limited to a mintage of only 250. Its silver counterpart has a $50 face value and also captures the essence of Canada’s world-renowned Mint. Four thousand of these coins have been produced and are available for $369.95 CDN.(*) (more…)

The Royal Canadian Mint is pleased to celebrate the 400th anniversary of the founding of Quebec City by issuing a commemorative two-dollar coin.

“I invite all Canadians to look for this commemorative coin in their change,” said Ian E. Bennett, the Mint’s President and CEO. “Six million of these coins will be put into circulation to be exchanged daily not only by Quebecers, but by Canadians throughout the country. This coin is a striking way to pay tribute to Quebec City’s heritage, and to its significance in Canadian history. The Royal Canadian Mint is pleased to join Quebec City’s citizens and admirers in celebrating the 400th anniversary of this famous city.”

This coin was officially unveiled to the public at the IIHF World Hockey Championship’s “Fanfest” on May 7th, before the start of the game headlining France and Belarus. Notably present at its unveiling were Mint spokesperson Véronique Cloutier, Marguerite Nadeau, Royal Canadian Mint Vice-President, General Counsel and Secretary, Jean Leclerc, Chairman of the Quebec 400th Anniversary Corporation, as well as other public figures.

“There are few North American cities that can celebrate a past such as that of Québec City. It is from the year 1608 that we truly started to become what we are today. Because the founding of Québec City also marks the founding of Canada,” said the Honourable Josée Verner, Minister of Canadian Heritage, Status of Women and Official Languages.

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