Royal Canadian Mint Celebrates Bicentennial of the War of 1812 with New 2012 Proof Silver Dollar Collector Coin

OTTAWA, Jan. 17, 2012 /CNW/ - The Royal Canadian Mint is proud to announce that its first collector coin of the year, the 2012 Proof Silver Dollar, is dedicated to celebrating the 200^th anniversary of the War of 1812.  This cornerstone of the Mint's annual collector coin program remembers a conflict which united English, French and First Nations forces in defending the borders and values of a future Canada and also ushered two centuries of peace between Canada and the United States.

"The Royal Canadian Mint is proud to celebrate Canada's history, culture and values through beautifully crafted collector coins and we are delighted that our 2012 Proof Silver Dollar honouring the bicentennial of the War of 1812 captures one of the most pivotal moments in Canadian history," said Ian E. Bennett, President and CEO of the Royal Canadian Mint. "Canadians far and wide can collect this coin as a memento of their history and the Mint looks forward to continue celebrating this milestone anniversary with many more coins to follow".

"Honouring the bicentennial of the War of 1812 with this special collector coin pays tribute to some of our greatest national heroes and a crucial moment on the road to Canadian nationhood," said the Honourable Jim Flaherty, Minister of Finance and Minister responsible for the Royal Canadian Mint.  "The Government of Canada encourages Canadians to take the unprecedented opportunity in 2012 to learn more about our history and take pride in our traditions".

Limited to a mintage of 40,000, the 2012 Proof Silver Dollar is produced with 99.99% pure silver and is available for $59.95 CDN.  The Mint is also offering a Brilliant version of the Proof Silver Dollar as well as two types of proof sets featuring the coin (Please see attached backgrounder for further information).

All of these coins can be ordered today by directly contacting the Royal Canadian Mint at 1-800-267-1871 in Canada, 1-800-268-6468 in the US, or on the Internet at www.mint.ca. Starting January 23, 2012, these coins will also be available at the Royal Canadian Mint's boutiques in Ottawa, Winnipeg and Vancouver 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 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 and product details of the Mint's newest coins are available by visiting ftp://communications:[e-mail].

Backgrounder

THE ROYAL CANADIAN MINT 2012 PROOF SILVER DOLLAR

Designed by accomplished military artist Ardell Bourgeois of British Columbia, the 2012 Proof Silver Dollar which celebrates the bicentennial of the War of 1812, features a British Sergeant, a Voltigeur Canadien, and an Iroquois warrior united in the defence of their border against an approaching invader.  Behind them is a map showing part of the Great Lakes and Southwestern Ontario, where United States forces sparked the conflict by invading the territory of the future city of Windsor, Ontario on July 12, 1812.

Encircling this design are 200 beads finely struck near the rim of the coin to symbolize the 200th Anniversary of the War of 1812.  The obverse of this coin features the effigy of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, designed by artist Susanna Blunt in 2003.

Limited to a mintage of 40,000, the 2012 Proof Silver Dollar is produced with 99.99% pure silver and is available for $59.95 CDN.  The Brilliant version of this coin, also in pure silver, retails for $54.95 CDN and is limited to a mintage of 25,000.

New for 2012, the Mint is offering two types of Proof Sets featuring the annual Proof Silver Dollar.  Available this spring, the 2012 Silver Dollar Proof Set includes the proof version of the Silver Dollar packaged with every circulating denomination struck in solid alloys with a proof finish, specifically: the one-cent coin in copper; the 5-, 10-, 25-, and 50-cent coins in nickel; the one-dollar coin in brass; and the two-dollar coin with a brass core and nickel outer ring.  Limited to a mintage of only 40,000 sets worldwide, this set retails for $99.95 CDN.

The Mint has also produced a 2012 Fine Silver Proof Set consisting of a special, selectively gold-plated Silver Dollar accompanied with every circulating denomination in 99.99% pure silver.  It is the first time in history that the iconic maple leaf version of Canada's one-cent circulation coin has been struck in silver.  The leaves have also been selectively plated in pink gold to emulate the appearance of a newly minted copper-based coin.  The one- and two-dollar coins are also plated in gold to recreate the brassy appearance of conventional circulation coins.   Only 20,000 of these sets will be made.  Packaged in a genuine black leather case, each set retails for $224.95 CDN.

All these 2012 Silver Dollar products can be ordered 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 as of today. Starting January 23, 2012, the coins, with the exception of the 2012 Silver Dollar Proof Set will also be available at the Royal Canadian Mint's boutiques in Ottawa, Winnipeg and Vancouver, as well as through the Mint's global network of dealers and distributors, including participating Canada Post outlets.

Image with caption: "From left to right: Mr. James B. Love, Chair of the Royal Canadian Mint Board of Directors and the Honourable Jim Flaherty, Minister of Finance and Minister responsible for the Royal Canadian Mint unveil the Mint's 2012 Proof Silver Dollar celebrating the 200th anniversary of the War of 1812 at the Canadian War Museum in Ottawa, Ontario (January 17, 2012). (CNW Group/Royal Canadian Mint)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20120117_C4648_PHOTO_EN_9002.jpg

For further information:

media are asked to contact:

Christine Aquino
Director, Communications
Telephone: [phone]
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