Nature, history and numismatic art strike a note on the Royal Canadian Mint's newest collector coins

OTTAWA, July 3, 2013 /CNW/ - The Royal Canadian Mint's has issued new collector coins which celebrate Canada's legendary nature and wildlife and open new windows on our past. The Mint's latest offering of limited-edition precious and base metal coins feature famous natural icons such as the northern lights, Caribou and Polar Bear of the Canadian Arctic; the Wood Duck of our southern wet lands; and even starfish from our Pacific waters. While several popular series continue, including the best-selling glow-in-the-dark dinosaur coins, new releases explore Canadian history and heritage with themes such as the 60^th anniversary of the Korean Armistice; the joint US-Canadian First Special Service Force of the Second World War; as well as the artistry of historic Canadian bank notes. These latest products can now be ordered from the Mint and will start shipping on July 9, 2013.

"From our landmarks, our wilderness, our historic achievements and even our legends, the story of Canada is told through countless ways and the Royal Canadian Mint is proud to continue celebrating it through beautifully crafted collector coins," said Ian E. Bennett, President and CEO of the Royal Canadian Mint. "The outstanding quality, detail and innovation of our collector coins help transform our national symbols into precious keepsakes which are prized by a growing list of customers in Canada and around the world."

Wildlife stands out in the Mint's latest collection, with new pure gold and silver kilo coins featuring Canadian artist Trevor Tennant's illustration of a male and a female Caribou against an Arctic landscape, in a scene brought to life by the ingenious use of contrasting finishes.  As different in size in real life as they are on coins, the iconic Polar Bear graces a 35 gram, 99.999% pure gold coin while the Leather Star; a starfish species from British Columbia's coastal waters, is exquisitely engraved on the first of a series of 1.27 gram, 99.99% pure gold coins dedicated to Canada's sea creatures.

Launched in celebration of the 75^th anniversary of Ducks Unlimited Canada, the Ducks of Canada series continues with the Wood Duck, considered by many as North America's most beautiful waterfowl.  A male and female are illustrated in vibrant colour on a $10 face-value fine silver coin and 25-cent cupro-nickel coin.  These new releases are joined by the return of our wildly popular glow-in-the-dark dinosaur coins, with Tylosaurus Peminensis representing creatures of Earth's prehistoric oceans.

A trademark of the Canadian landscape and a famed natural wonder, the northern lights have inspired many stories and legends in First Nations culture. In Métis artist Nathalie Bertin's "A Story of The Northern Lights: The Great Hare", Nanahboozho, a hero of Odawa legend, appears on a new $20 fine silver coin accentuated with a blazing hologram. Nanahboozho has shape-shifted into the Great Hare and sits by his bonfire which, according to legend, produces the northern lights which the Mint has brought to life through a colourful hologram.

Rich imagery also finds a home on a new series of $5 fine silver coins celebrating the iconography of historical bank notes.  The Canadian Bank of Commerce's 20 Dollar bank note of 1888 is the inspiration for the first release in this series, with the elegant engraving of a young Hermes in a marine setting promising an exciting new collection of classic designs.

Demonstrating that Canada's military history continues to inspire memorable coins, the Mint   has issued pure gold and silver coins honouring the "Devil's Brigade", the fearless and feared First Special Service Force formed from Canadian and American troops in the Second World War.  The Mint is also proud to have released a 2013 Special Edition Silver Dollar commemorating the 60^th anniversary of the Korean Armistice.

In a continuation of the $10 fine silver O Canada series, collectors are introduced to a new perspective of the majestic Niagara Falls, while an enamel-enhanced Maple Leaf Impression $20 fine silver coin celebrates our national symbol in bright red.

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: Royal Canadian Mint