OTTAWA, Oct 5, 2017 /CNW/ - The Royal Canadian Mint has proudly issued a two-dollar commemorative circulation coin honouring the brave Canadians who fought at the Battle of Vimy Ridge 100 years ago and paved the way to the Allied victory which ended the First World War. This special circulation coin was unveiled today at The Military Museums in Calgary.
"100 years ago, the four divisions of the Canadian Corps fought as one for the first time at the Battle of Vimy Ridge and through ingenuity, bravery and sacrifice, achieved one of the most decisive and pivotal victories of the First World War," said the Honourable Bill Morneau, Minister of Finance. "Canadians should never forget how our nation's soldiers came together to stand for freedom and democracy at Vimy Ridge and their story will continue to be heard thanks to the Royal Canadian Mint's newest commemorative circulation coin."
"The Mint is proud to continue the long-standing tradition of crafting coins which honour the sacrifices of Canadians in war time by launching a two-dollar circulation coin commemorating the 100th anniversary of the Battle of Vimy Ridge," said Sandra Hanington, President and CEO of the Royal Canadian Mint. "With this new coin, we remember every Canadian whose unconditional service in the First World War inspired the generations which followed to do their part in defending Canada and everything it stands for."
Designed by Canadian artist Tony Bianco, the reverse of this commemorative circulation coin depicts the Vimy Memorial, flanked by a First World War soldier and a contemporary veteran. Appearing beneath the image of the Memorial, the word "Vimy" is engraved between the soldier and veteran. The obverse features the effigy of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth, designed by Canadian artist Susanna Blunt in 2003.
Limited to a mintage of five million coins, the two-dollar circulation coin commemorating the 100th anniversary of the Battle of Vimy Ridge is now in general circulation and will be available through public coin exchanges at the Mint's boutiques, or through an online coin exchange at www.mint.ca/vimy100 (limited to Canada only).
The Mint is adding to the historic commemoration of Vimy Ridge by offering two new collector products. The first is a special wrap roll of 25 two-dollar circulation coins featuring the same artwork found on the reverse of the coins. As well, the Mint has issued a ¼ oz. fine silver collector coin with a $3 denomination designed by Canadian artist Laurie McGaw. It features a frontal view of the iconic sculpture "Canada Bereft," which is prominently featured at the Canadian National Vimy Memorial, depicted further in the distance.
These collectibles can be ordered as of today by contacting the Mint at 1-800-267-1871 in Canada, 1-800-268-6468 in the US, or online at www.mint.ca/vimy. The coin is also available at the Royal Canadian Mint's boutiques, as well as through the Mint's 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 corporation, 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 this new coin and related collectibles are available at https://www.dropbox.com/sh/mrwr4qozvxilo22/AAA3R0AUQZ1sz218o5qfOlIpa?dl=0
SOURCE Royal Canadian Mint
For further information: Media are asked to contact: Alex Reeves, Senior Advisor, External Communications, Royal Canadian Mint, Telephone: 613-949-5777, reeves@mint.ca
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