New 99999 pure gold Blessings of Wealth, Crystal Raindrop, famed Jubilee
Locomotive and final issue of the Playing card Money Series complete the
Mint's numismatic offeringOTTAWA, July 6 /CNW Telbec/ - Coin collectors and astronomy fans alike
will be impressed by the Royal Canadian Mint's $30 Sterling Silver
International Year of Astronomy collector coin, as well as several new
products which are sure to attract the gaze of those looking to expand their
collections or acquire finely crafted keepsakes of innovative design and
composition. Other entries in the Mint's third product release of 2009 include
the final issue of the Playing Card Money series, a new Blessings of Wealth
99.999% pure gold coin, an "Autumn Jewel" crystal raindrop coin and the newest
issue of the $20 Fine Silver Great Canadian Locomotive Series featuring the
Jubilee. These products will be available for purchase as of July 22, 2009.
"The Royal Canadian Mint is fortunate in its ability to fashion collector
coins featuring so many compelling themes which speak to Canada's role in the
world, as well as its proud heritage and culture," said Ian E. Bennett,
President and CEO of the Royal Canadian Mint. "From honouring Canada's
sterling contribution to the field of astronomy to paying a golden tribute to
Asian culture, the Mint is expanding its universe of unique and innovative
collector coins with the newest products of 2009."
The following are descriptions of the new products being introduced.
2009 $30 STERLING SILVER COIN - INTERNATIONAL YEAR OF ASTRONOMY
Humanity has always been fascinated by the vision of the night sky and as
legend yielded to science, the mysteries of the heavens have been gradually
solved by the world's astronomers. The relentless work of Canadian and
international scientists, through which the compelling realities of our
universe continue to be unveiled, is being celebrated in 2009 through the
official recognition of the International Year of Astronomy. The Mint is proud
to add its own sterling silver coin to the growing line-up of numismatic
tributes to this global celebration of the field of astronomy.
The Mint has crafted a $30 sterling silver coin featuring an observatory
surrounded by outer space icons such as a galaxy, a comet and the planet
Saturn. These shimmering objects stand out against the painted background of a
starry night sky appearing blue on the horizon and gradually darkening to
black. This eye-catching design is the work of Toronto artist Colin Mayne.
The International Year of Astronomy coin is limited to a mintage of
10,000 and is available for $89.95 CDN.
2009 $150 PURE GOLD COIN - BLESSINGS OF WEALTH
Since the Mint became the first to produce a 99.999% pure gold coin in
1998, collector interest in the purest gold collector coins in the world has
been undiminished. The latest Mint offering to satisfy demand for the best and
purest gold coins available is the 2009 $150 Blessings of Wealth collector
coin.
Accomplished artist Harvey Chan of Toronto has created a stunning
expression of the blessing "May gold and jade fill your house," highlighted by
the depiction of elegant goldfish, whose Chinese character "Yù" is synonymous
with jade and wealth. The presence of cloud patterns symbolizing eternity and
the noble peony in the centre reinforce the wish of never-ending good fortune.
The blessing is also finely engraved in Chinese characters on the reverse of
this coin.
Limited to a worldwide mintage of 5,000, this coin retails for $799.95
CDN.
2009 $20 FINE SILVER COIN - AUTUMN SHOWERS CRYSTAL RAINDROP
Following on the success of the Mint's first coin combining colour and
crystal applications in 2008, the cherished maple leaf adorned by a glistening
drop of water dripping from its surface makes a return with the 2009 $20 Fine
Silver Autumn Showers Crystal Raindrop. The inset CRYSTALLIZED(TM) - Swarovski
Elements contrast beautifully against the bright vivid fall colours of a pair
of maple leaves painted on a 99.99% pure silver coin designed by Ontario
artist Celia Godkin. Only 10,000 of these coins, with a retail price of $94.95
CDN, are available world-wide.
2009 $20 FINE SILVER COIN - GREAT CANADIAN LOCOMOTIVES SERIES: JUBILEE
The Mint's tribute to the great locomotives of Canada's golden age of
rail travel steams ahead with a second instalment celebrating the Jubilee, a
new class of F2a Type 4-4-4 locomotive (four leading wheels, four driving
wheels and four trailing wheels), christened in honour of the Canadian Pacific
Railroad's 50th anniversary in 1936. Five Jubilee engines ruled the rails for
years after more than 500,000 Canadians welcomed these new engines during
their exhibition tour of Canada. This 99.99% pure silver coin, crafted by Mint
Engraver William Woodruff, again features edge-lettering showing the
locomotive's name against a plain edge. Retailing at $74.95 CDN, this coin is
limited to a worldwide mintage of 10,000.2009 $15 PLAYING CARD MONEY SERIES - KING OF HEARTS AND PLAYING CARD
MONEY SETThe Mint's Playing Card Money silver coin series concludes with the issue
of the $15 sterling silver King of Hearts. This final rectangular work of art
completes a four-coin series which evokes an unusual chapter in Canadian
history. A shortage of hard currency was ingeniously solved by the Governor of
New France who seized all playing cards in the colony and re-issued them with
his signature to designate them as official currency. This unique form of
currency comes back to life on a beautifully painted sterling silver coin
designed from artwork preserved by Library and Archives Canada and featuring a
selectively gold-plated rim.
Only 25,000 of these finely crafted coins are available world-wide, each
retailing for $94.95 CDN.
On the conclusion of this series, the Mint is now offering all four
Playing Card Money Series coins in a collector case for the price of $359.95
CDN, while supplies last.
$5 STERLING SILVER COIN - 80th ANNIVERSARY OF CANADA IN JAPAN
The Mint is also launching a special sterling silver $5 proof coin
produced in collaboration with the Japan Mint on July 22, 2009. The coin's
1929-2009 double date marks the 80th anniversary of official diplomatic
relations between Canada and Japan. The main feature of its reverse design is
a wilderness scene representing the flora and fauna of both countries: a
Canadian white-tailed deer with maple leaf foliage, accompanied by a Japanese
shika deer flanked by cherry blossoms. The addition of the Japanese character
"Wa" accentuates the theme of harmony. Japanese collectors will be able to
purchase this coin as part of a special commemorative proof set issued out of
a world-wide mintage of 40,000 coins and 5,000 individual coins will be
offered exclusively to Royal Canadian Mint Masters Club members at a price of
$47.95 CDN.
The Mint's products are available directly from the Mint at
1-800-267-1871 in Canada, 1-800-268-6468 in the US, or on the Internet at
www.mint.ca. The coins are also available at the Royal Canadian Mint's global
network of dealers and distributors.
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 9001-2000
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. The
Mint is an Official Supporter of the Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic
Winter Games and has undertaken to produce the most extensive circulation coin
program in relation to the Olympic Games ever conceived by any mint worldwide,
while also offering limited mintage collector coins and sets. Visit
www.mint.ca/2010 for Vancouver 2010 keepsakes and gifts.
Images and product details of the Mint's newest collection are available
by visiting ftp://communications:RCM2007@ftp.mint.ca.
For further information: Alex Reeves, Manager, Communications,
Telephone: (613) 949-5777, Mobile: (613) 884-6370, reeves@mint.ca
