Prehistory, pre-confederation and modern day Canada all find a home on the Royal Canadian Mint'S new collector coins

OTTAWA, June 7, 2013 /CNW/ - The Royal Canadian Mint is opening new windows on Canada's rich history, culture and symbols with new collector coins whose themes span the dawn of time to the present.  That lengthy story is told through coins such as the first in a fine silver series  depicting prehistoric creatures discovered in Canada, to gold and silver vivid portrayals of the War of 1812's famed Battle of Chateauguay, to renowned Canadian celebrity Martin Short's vision of Canada on a fine silver coin he helped design. Compelling symbols of culture and identity also stand out on new releases featuring Canada: An Allegory; contemporary aboriginal art and a high technology dream catcher design. These latest products can now be ordered from the Mint and will start shipping on June 11, 2013.

"From prehistoric fossils to modern artworks, Canada's natural heritage, culture and history unlock a treasure trove of themes and designs which we are always excited to feature on finely crafted collector coins," said Ian E. Bennett, President and CEO of the Royal Canadian Mint. "Through time-honoured craftsmanship and the innovative use of technology, the Royal Canadian Mint's skilled experts bring the story of Canada to life on coins which continue to delight customers at home and all over the world."

Before people were making Canada's history, a different kind of species roamed the earth and the Mint is celebrating them in bold relief on a new series of fine silver coins dedicated to prehistoric animals discovered in Canada. With a $20 face value, Bathygnathus Borealis is the first instalment of the Dinosaurs of Canada series.  The first fossil of this imposing relic of our distant past was discovered in 1845 in New London, Prince Edward Island.  Depicted in a full, non-skeletal portrait by paleoartist Julius Csotonyi and verified for its scientific accuracy by Canada's famous Royal Tyrrell Museum, this 99.99% pure silver coin is engraved with a stunning level of detail.

In continuing tribute to Lieutenant Colonel Charles-Michel de Salaberry's exploits and his famous Voltigeurs Canadiens in the War of 1812, the Mint is releasing two collector coins depicting The Battle of Chateauguay. The first, a $250 face-value 99.99% fine silver coin features a reproduction of the illustration Bataille de Chateauguay by celebrated Canadian artist Henri Julien (1852-1908), and has a limited mintage of only 500. The second, a $2500 face-value 99.99% fine gold coin also features Julien's illustration as well as a section of the mural Climax of Action at Crysler's Farm by Adam Sherriff-Scott (1887-1980) with a very limited mintage of 15 coins worldwide.

With still more history to celebrate, the Mint crafted two spectacular coins in honour of the 300^th Anniversary of the Louisbourg settlement.  The first is a 99.99% pure 1/25 oz. gold coin featuring the work of Nova Scotia artist Peter Gough, followed by a 99.99% pure silver coin designed by British Columbia maritime artist John Horton. These coins capture scenes and icons which evoke trade and commerce which paved the way to Canada's development 300 years ago.

Fast-forwarding three centuries, Martin Short, one of Canada's most popular celebrities, has contributed to the design of a $3 face-value fine silver coin titled Martin Short Presents Canada. The unique coin features a heartwarming image inspired by Short's summer home in the Muskoka region of Ontario, with two Adirondack chairs facing a serene lake. To Short, "Canada is the most remarkable country in the world," and his pride in Canada is beautifully evident on this 99.99% pure silver coin.

Canada: An Allegory is a new collector coin which celebrates Miss Canada, our feminine national allegory equivalent to the United Kingdom's Brittania or the American Lady Liberty. This icon, popularized in many forms in Canadian culture from Confederation to the end of the Second World War, embodies the values and ideals which shaped Canada's formative years.  Its modern-day interpretation by artist Laurie McGaw can be found in a number of different metal compositions.  A first for the Mint's collector coin program is a new bronze coin, bearing a $3 face value and limited to a world-wide mintage of 15,000.  This richly illustrated and engraved theme is also captured on a $25 face value, 99.99% pure silver coin and a 99.99% pure gold coin of the same denomination.

A more universally recognized symbol of Canadian identity is the maple leaf. This centuries-old Canadian emblem appears on a new $3 face value, 99.99% pure silver coin composed of over 100 maple leaves on the coin's reverse, arranged to form an outline of a hidden maple leaf in its centre.

The Mint is launching a new Contemporary Aboriginal Art series with a new $5 face value 99.99% fine silver and niobium coin reproducing Mother and Baby Ice Fishing; a modern work by northern Quebec Inuit artist Ulaayu Pilurtuut. This first release features the innovative incorporation of a niobium insert struck into the coin's silver core. The unique metal is selectively coloured using a proprietary oxidization process which causes the niobium to change colour, such as the bright mauve found on this coin, without the use of pigments. This beautiful coin captures the lighthearted scene of a mother celebrating her latest catch with her baby comfortably nestled behind her in an amauti, in the time-honoured ways of this First Nations culture. This coin is joined by another celebration of aboriginal culture with Dreamcatcher; a $10 face-value 99.99% fine silver coin featuring the image of a dreamcatcher over a full-colour hologram of the sky and clouds. This coin combines ancient First Nations heritage and modern technology to create a truly unique work of art.

Also Available for order today are:

• The 2013 Young Wildlife special edition specimen set, featuring black bear cubs on a new $2 bi-metallic coin;
• A $4 face-value, Heroes of 1812 - Laura Secord 99.99% fine silver coin;
• A 99.99% Maple Leaf fine silver coin with a $10 face-value, featuring a new design of Canada's national symbol;
• The latest addition to the Group of Seven fine silver coin series featuring J.E.H. MacDonald's famous Sumacs; and,
• Three new coins from the O Canada Series - The Wolf, in a $5 face-value 99.99% pure gold coin, and 99.99% pure silver coins available in $10 and $25 denominations.

Mintages, pricing and full background information on each product can be found on the "Shop" tab of www.mint.ca.

All of these products can be ordered directly from the Mint at 1-800-267-1871 in Canada, 1-800-268-6468 in the US, or online at www.mint.ca. The coins will also be available at the Royal Canadian Mint's boutiques in Ottawa, Winnipeg and Vancouver, as well as through our 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 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. For more information on the Mint, its products and services, visit www.mint.ca

Images of the Mint's newest collection are available by visiting
ftp://communications:[email protected].

SOURCE: Government of Canada

For further information:

Alex Reeves
Senior Manager, Communications
Tel: [phone]
[email protected]