Ottawa, Ontario, February 2, 2008 – The Royal Canadian Mint (RCM) added to its star-studded line up of award-winning coins when Krause Publications bestowed the Coin of the Year and Most Innovative Coin Awards on the RCM’s laser-etched $50 Palladium Big Bear and Little Bear Constellations coin series at the 2008 Coin of the Year Awards. Adding even more to the RCM’s prestige, its 2006 colourized $5 Fine Silver “Pink Ribbon” Coin also was a co-winner of the Most Inspirational Coin Award. Krause Publications, of the United States, publishes World Coin News and Numismatic News, in addition to many respected numismatic catalogues and research titles.

“We welcome these distinctions during our centennial year, as the proud employees of the Royal Canadian Mint celebrate a century of achievement,” said Ian E. Bennett, RCM President and CEO. “Our passion for innovation and excellence has made us a leader in the minting industry and we are delighted that these qualities are being recognized by leaders in the numismatic community.”

The $50 Palladium Big Bear and Little Bear Constellations coin series consists of four 31.16 g, 99.95% palladium coins featuring the constellations in a night sky, reproduced by a deep black laser-etching. Each coin displays the constellations as they would appear above Canada’s capital during each of the four seasons. This appealing and ingenious design is the work of RCM Product Manager Jennifer Holmes, whose impressive portfolio includes sell-outs such as the Gold $3 Square Beaver Coin and the square-holed $8 Fine Silver Chinese Coin. (more…)

400th Anniversary of Quebec City, 200th Anniversary of Fraser River Descent lead first numismatic offering of the Mint’s centennial year

Ottawa, Ontario – January 9, 2008 – One week after turning 100 years old, the Royal Canadian Mint (RCM) today released the first new collector coins and gift products of 2008. In keeping with its mandate of celebrating Canada’s values, history and culture, the RCM has chosen to devote the silver dollar, in proof, brilliant uncirculated and selectively gold plated finishes, to Samuel de Champlain, as a tribute to the 400th anniversary of the founding of Quebec City. This figurehead of the RCM’s annual collector coin program is followed by the perennial $100, $200 and $300 face value gold issues featuring themes which resonate from Canada’s East to West coasts, as well as the traditionally anticipated proof, uncirculated and specimen coin sets. The popular annual coin sets featuring a unique painted 25-cent coin are once more available in five different themes, as are annual baby and wedding gift sets.

“Over 100 years, the Royal Canadian Mint has established a global reputation as a leader in the minting industry”, said Ian E. Bennett, President and CEO of the Royal Canadian Mint. “The quality and creativity which are hallmarks of the Royal Canadian Mint shine through in the first new collector coins of 2008. The themes they portray will resonate with Canadian and international collectors alike”. (more…)

OTTAWA, ONTARIO / WINNIPEG, MANITOBA – January 2, 2008 – One hundred years ago today, 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.

“To celebrate the centennial of the Mint is to celebrate the history of Canada,” said Mr. Ian E. Bennett, President and CEO of the Royal Canadian Mint. “Over the past century, the Mint has played an important role in the economic and social fabric of our nation, by creating circulation and commemorative collector coins which are a true testament to Canada’s rich heritage and values.”

The Mint’s Ottawa facility, which occupies the same premises on which the Mint was founded, produces hand-crafted collector and commemorative coins, gold bullion coins, medals and medallions. Established in 1976, the Winnipeg Mint is a high-tech, high-volume manufacturing facility where Canada’s circulation coinage is produced, as well as coins for countries around the world. (more…)