OTTAWA, ONTARIO - In 2007, the Royal Canadian Mint recorded an unprecedented profit of $30.7 million, almost double the previous year’s figure. Throughout the year, it also leveraged its innovation advantage, strengthened strategic partnerships and positioned itself for future growth in the global marketplace.

“The past year was one of remarkable accomplishment for the Mint, and this success can be attributed to the dedication and commitment of each and every employee of the Corporation,” said Ian E. Bennett, President and CEO of the Royal Canadian Mint. “As we move forward, we will invest in our infrastructure, our world-renowned technology and in our employees – all of which will ensure our path to continued success.”

Achievements for the Royal Canadian Mint in 2007 included:

An increase in revenue to $632.1 million;

The production of 1.937 billion Canadian circulation coins;

The expansion of the coin recycling program in Ontario and Quebec;

As an Official Supporter of the Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games, the launch of the first five circulation coins of its extensive Olympic commemorative coin program; (more…)

By Doug Andrews, World Coin News
Celebration of the centennial of the Royal Canadian Mint in the summer of 2008 may cause numismatists to reflect on the years of diplomatic wrangling and political infighting that surrounded its establishment. Now one of the most successful and modern mints in the world, its founding in 1908 was the culmination of nearly two decades of argument among Canadian parliamentarians, and negotiations between officials in Canada and the United Kingdom.

As early as 1890 members of the Canadian Senate from British Columbia began lobbying the Conservative and later, the Liberal, governments in Ottawa for opening a mint in Vancouver. Gold recently had been discovered in the nearby Fraser River Valley, and a tiny group of politicians led by Senator Thomas McInnes tried to persuade the cabinet to fund construction of a mint to assay and refine gold, produce ingots and strike gold into coins. In March, McInnes boldly introduced the following motion to the Senate, “Resolved as to the opinion of this House that it is both desirable and expedient that the government should immediately pass a coinage act and establish a mint.”

Gold miners and speculators in British Columbia saw the opening of a mint as an opportunity to increase their profits by reducing the costs of exporting gold to the United States for refining. However, the Conservative Prime Minister, Sir John A. Macdonald, opposed the measure championed by McInnes, a Liberal, and it went down to defeat. Macdonald, then in declining health, had focused this agenda on protectionism rather than foreign trade, and a mint to increase profits from exportation of gold did not fit into his plans.

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2008 $25 Sterling Silver Hologram Coin - Freestyle Skiing

LIMITED TO 45,000 COINS WORLDWIDE

Freestyle skiing began in the 1960’s when social change and freedom of expression led to new and exciting skiing techniques. Originally a mix of alpine skiing and acrobatics, the first competition was held in New Hampshire in 1966. The sport became an Olympic medal event in 1992 in Albertville, and only two years later in Lillehammer, Canadians won gold in moguls, and silver and bronze medals at the first aerials event.
CITIUS, ALTIUS, FORTIUS, (Faster, Higher, Stronger)

These three words, comprising the motto of the Olympic movement, encourage the athlete in all of us to give our best during competition, and to view this effort as its own victory.

The Olympic Games have a 3,000 year history of bringing people together to give their best in competition. The Winter Games are the cold-weather complement to the original Olympic Summer Games. Held every four years, the Olympic Winter Games feature winter sports, all of which are held on ice or snow.

The only Olympic Winter Games held in Canada was in 1988, in the city of Calgary, Alberta. In 2010, Canada will proudly host the XXI Olympic Winter Games, this time in Vancouver, British Columbia let the Games begin!
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The Royal Canadian Mint (RCM) today officially launched the 2008 issue of the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games Gold and Silver Maple Leaf bullion coins. These unique RCM bullion products are the world’s first bullion coins promoting the spirit of the Olympic Games. The RCM’s Ottawa facility will produce up to 50,000 coins in gold for the 2008 issue and the silver version will be produced on demand. Two more annual issues (2009 and 2010) will follow.

In July 2007, the RCM received permission from the International Olympic Committee and the United States Olympic Committee to produce and market these new gold and silver bullion coins. The designs for these coins were first unveiled in August 2007.

“I’m very proud that the Royal Canadian Mint is again launching a series of bullion coins which will stand out in a very competitive marketplace,” said Ian E. Bennett, President and CEO of the Royal Canadian Mint. “Gold and silver have long symbolized the pinnacle of international athletic competition and we are delighted that the Royal Canadian Mint’s world-renowned bullion coins are now associated with the Olympic Movement.”

The Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games Gold Maple Leaf bullion coin is made of one ounce of 99.99% pure gold and bears a $50 face value. Bearing a $5 face value, the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games Silver Maple Leaf bullion coin is struck from one ounce of 99.99% pure silver. Both are now available through the RCM’s extensive network of bullion dealers.