Royal Canadian Mint unveils 2016 Lucky Loonie circulation coin

TORONTO, July 1, 2016 /CNW/ - The Royal Canadian Mint is paying tribute to all Canadian Olympic and Paralympic athletes competing in the Rio 2016 Summer Games by launching the 2016 Lucky Loonie, Canada's latest commemorative circulation coin.  The coin was part of the celebration program at the Canadian Olympic Beach Party held at Toronto's Woodbine Beach in honour of Team Canada.

"The Rio 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games will be another chapter in our country's rich sporting history and the Government of Canada is delighted that the Royal Canadian Mint has issued the 2016 Lucky Loonie to capture all the pride and excitement of the Games," said the Honourable Bill Morneau, Minister of Finance. "The growing tradition of the Lucky Loonie is a great way for Canadians to show our athletes that there is a 35 million-strong team cheering them on in Rio".

"The 2016 Lucky Loonie is a wonderful keepsake that will circulate to millions of Canadians to celebrate the achievements of our athletes competing at the Rio Olympic and Paralympic Summer Games," said Sandra Hanington, President and CEO of the Royal Canadian Mint.  "By collecting this special circulation coin, Canadians can express their own pride in Canada's Olympic and Paralympic Teams, and capture the memory of Canada at the Rio 2016 Games."

In what is now a legendary tale, a Loonie was buried at centre ice prior to the 2002 Olympic Winter Games in Salt Lake City to bring good luck to Canada's gold medal-winning men's and women's ice hockey teams.  The Mint has since produced a Lucky Loonie circulation coin for each subsequent Games. Each member of the Canadian team will receive a 2016 Lucky Loonie upon their arrival in Rio.

The reverse side of the circulation coin shows the image of a common loon on the water, poised for take-off with its arched body and outstretched wings. The addition of a stylized maple leaf in the background symbolizes Canadian pride.  Designed by Ontario artist Derek Wicks, the coin also features the Canadian Olympic and Paralympic Team logos. 

Five million 2016 Lucky Loonies have been produced and are entering into circulation as of today. Canadians are encouraged to look for the coin in their change or visit www.mint.ca/luckyloonie to order a pack of five uncirculated Lucky Loonies (while quantities last).  

Canadians can also purchase the following Lucky Loonie-themed collector products:

• the 2016 $1 Special Wrap Roll, limited to 52,000 rolls of 25 coins;
• the Pure Silver Coin – Lucky Loonie (2016), with coloured Canadian Olympic and Paralympic Team logos; and
• the Limited Edition Proof Silver Dollar – Celebrating Canadian Athletes (2016), featuring a montage of Olympic and Paralympic Team athletes in action designed by Three Degrees Creative Group.

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.

Lucky Loonie and related product images are available at https://www.dropbox.com/sh/mhupvtl4i257s4m/AADG2CMwapUmKRX_f1alCyyXa?dl=0.

SOURCE Royal Canadian Mint

Image with caption: "From Left: Royal Canadian Mint Senior Communications Manager Alex Reeves, Isabelle Charest, Assistant Chef de Mission, Canadian Olympic Committee and Gaetan Tardif, President, Canadian Paralympic Committee, unveil the 2016 Lucky Loonie at the Team Canada Beach Party in Toronto on July 1, 2016. (CNW Group/Royal Canadian Mint)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20160701_C6688_PHOTO_EN_726733.jpg

For further information: media are asked to contact: Alex Reeves, Senior Manager, Communications, Royal Canadian Mint, Tel: [phone], [email protected]