Royal Canadian Mint delivers a bounty of new collector coins

OTTAWA, Oct. 9, 2012 /CNW/ - As its reputation for expanding the variety and creativity of coin manufacturing keeps growing, the Royal Canadian Mint is proud to present its customers with a bountiful array of new collector coins.  Its latest product release includes fine silver tributes to Canadian historical figures such as War of 1812 hero Major-General Sir Isaac Brock; female military pioneer Georgina Pope; and Group of Seven painter Franklin Carmichael.  The 25^th anniversary of the Mint's Silver Maple Leaf bullion coin; the coat of arms of Nunavut; and the Year of the Snake are also being honoured on precious metal keepsakes ranging from fractional coin sets to spectacular gold and silver kilo coins. Still more collectibles in base and precious metals celebrate Canada's attachment to winter and the holiday season.

"The story of Canada continues to yield an endless variety of subjects which the Mint is excited to feature on a stunning array of world-class collector coins," said Ian E. Bennett, President and CEO of the Royal Canadian Mint.  "We are committed to exploring new boundaries of coin design and manufacturing to bring out Canada's history, culture and values on finely crafted coins which are treasured by proud Canadians and collectors from around the world."

As we approach the 200^th anniversary of the October 13, 1812 death of Major-General Sir Isaac Brock at the Battle of Queenston Heights, the Mint is honoured to issue a $4 fine silver collector coin featuring the stately effigy of the "Hero of Upper Canada".  Limited to a mintage of 10,000 coins world-wide, this colour-enhanced keepsake is a wonderful complement to the commemorative 25-cent coin which will soon circulate in honour of this War of 1812 hero.

A century and a half after the birth of another leading Canadian military figure, the Mint is issuing a $5 fine silver coin commemorating the achievements of Georgina Pope, whose pioneering career helped to pave the way for Canadian women in the military.  After serving with distinction for Canada in the Boer War, Georgina Pope was appointed First Matron of the Canadian Army Medical Corps and went on to lead Canada's nursing contingent in the First World War.  The portrait of Georgina Pope in uniform, flanked by the images of a nurse from the First World War, a member of the Women's Royal Canadian Naval Service from the Second World War, and a female member of today's Canadian Forces, honours her legacy and the many women she inspired to serve in Canada's military.

The Mint is also pleased to mark a personal milestone with the 25^th anniversary of its famous Silver Maple Leaf bullion coin.  Known for its trademark purity and quality, this coin is celebrated in a fractional set of one, ½, ¼, 1/10 and 1/20 ounce coins featuring a new interpretation of our emblematic maple leaf, crafted of the same 99.99% pure silver which makes it a favourite of investors world-wide.  A 99.99% pure fractional gold set, featuring yet another new design of the maple leaf, is also available for gold enthusiasts.

Also available today are:

• the third issue of $20 fine silver coin from the Group of Seven series featuring Franklin Carmichael's Houses, Cobalt;
• a new $300 14 KT Gold coin from the Provincial Coat of Arms series featuring Nunavut;
• $2,500 pure gold and $250 fine silver "Year of the Snake" kilo coins;
• a $20 fine silver, crystal-enhanced coin of children playing the Three Wisemen in a traditional Christmas pageant;
• a new $20 fine silver Holiday Snowflake with Crystal coin;
• a $20 fine silver Holiday Snowstorm crystal snowflake coin;
• a $10 fine silver painted Winter Scene coin; and
• a new 50-cent lenticular cupronickel coin depicting Santa's Magical Visit.

Mintages, 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