More heroic themes as Royal Canadian Mint releases final collector coins of the year

OTTAWA, Nov. 6, 2012 /CNW/ - The War of 1812 leads the way as the Royal Canadian Mint issues its final collector products of the year with coins celebrating history and Canadiana.  As 200^th anniversary celebrations continue, the Mint is proud to launch a second series of gold and silver kilo coins dedicated to the war's major battles with a commemoration of the Battle of Queenston Heights, as well as its latest $4 fine silver Heroes of the War of 1812 coin honouring Tecumseh.  This new release continues with exquisite fine silver $20 and $50 coins offering a new look at Canada's iconic beaver, as well as a new $300 platinum coin featuring to the Bald Eagle. A five-ounce pure gold tribute to the Maple Leaf Forever, as well as a new $20 fine silver Year of the Snake coin complete this final release of 2012.

"The Royal Canadian Mint is proud to launch collector coins which continue to celebrate Canada's past and present through a rich diversity of themes and designs," said Ian E. Bennett, President and CEO of the Royal Canadian Mint.  "With a record of 47 collector coins already sold out in 2012, we are pleased to meet unprecedented domestic and international demand for our industry-leading collectibles by making even more exciting new coins available to collectors and consumers."

Retold countless times through written and oral history for the last 200 years, the death of Major-General Sir Isaac Brock at the Battle of Queenston Heights on the shores of the Niagara River is a heroic moment now preserved by a duo of finely crafted Gold and Silver Kilo coins.  Featuring John David Kelly's 1896 masterpiece of Major-General Brock final moments on the battlefield, these coins are moving tributes to one of the War of 1812's greatest heroes.  Limited to only twenty 99.99% pure gold examples and one thousand 99.99% pure silver kilos, these coins are exclusive and outstanding keepsakes of a turning point in Canadian history.

These precious collectibles are appropriately followed by a $4 fine silver coin honouring Tecumseh, the charismatic Shawnee Chief whose alliance with Major-General Brock ensured a number of early victories against American forces, before meeting his own tragic end at the Battle of the Thames in 1813.  He is and will forever be remembered as a great hero of the War of 1812 with the release of 10,000 fine silver coins bearing his proud effigy, beautifully enhanced by a painted maple leaf from the Government of Canada's official War of 1812 logo.  It is a fitting complement to the commemorative 25-cent coin which will soon circulate in honour of Tecumseh and the vital contribution of First Nations and Métis warriors to the successful defence of Canadian territory.

An icon of Canada whose industrious nature is synonymous with the effort and perseverance which built our great nation, the beaver returns on a new $20 face value, one-ounce 99.99% pure silver coin and a $50-denominated coin crafted of five ounces of the same fine silver. Designed by renowned wildlife artist Glen Loates, the $20 coin is limited to a mintage of 8,500 examples while the five-ounce $50 fine silver coin, designed by accomplished artist Emily M. Damstra, is limited to a world-wide mintage of 1,500.

A master of the skies in every Canadian province and territory, Haliaeetus leucocephalus, better known as the great Bald Eagle, is a native North American bird of prey seen for the first time on a Canadian coin with the release of a stunning 2013-dated, $300-denominated coin fashioned from one ounce of 99.95% pure platinum. Prized as a national symbol by our American neighbours and long-revered in First Nations culture, the Bald Eagle's battle back from near extinction in many regions during the 1970s is an inspiring wildlife conservation success story.  Designed by artist Claudio d'Angelo, only 200 examples of this majestic coin are available to collectors in North America and world-wide.

An impressive five-ounce, 99.99% pure gold Maple Leaf Forever coin is an exclusive tribute to another timeless Canadian symbol.  Designed by artist Luc Grondin, this coin features a twig of three Sugar Maple leaves, a prominent element of the first provincial flags of Ontario and Quebec.  It is limited to an extremely low mintage of 200 coins.

Followers of Chinese Lunar New Year traditions can prepare for the 2013 celebrations with a new Year of the Snake 99.99% fine silver coin.  This symbol of the heritage of Chinese Canadians is coiled on a tree perch and flanked by the Chinese symbols for the snake.  A total of 128,888 coins are available world-wide.

Pricing and full background information on each product can be found at the "Shop" tab of www.mint.ca.

All of these products are available today, 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 are also 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: Royal Canadian Mint