Royal Canadian Mint offers pennies to mark the end of distribution as it launches its latest collector coin offering

20,000 rolls of the last million distributed pennies joined by the 25^th anniversary of the Silver and Platinum Maple Leaf bullion coins; a second glow-in-the-dark dinosaur coin; a new Tradition of Hunting fine silver series; and more gold and silver wildlife-themed coins  

OTTAWA, Feb. 5, 2013 /CNW/ - After saying farewell to the penny with the final distribution of this iconic coin on February 4, 2013, the Royal Canadian Mint is marking the end of an era with special rolls made from the last million pennies made for distribution, which are likely to sell out quickly on www.mint.ca, given that only 20,000 rolls are available. In keeping with its passion for celebrating Canada's history, culture and values through coins, the Mint is also launching new collector products in pure gold and silver, including coins featuring technological innovations.  These finely crafted collectibles are available for order now from the Mint and will ship to customers beginning on February 12, 2013.

"With every new collector product, the Royal Canadian Mint turns to a new page in the never ending story of Canada and we are proud to have captured an unforgettable moment by commemorating the last distribution of Canada's penny ," said Ian E. Bennett, President and CEO of the Royal Canadian Mint.  "Our stories, our symbols, and our nature are all part of the Canadian experience and we are proud that our finely crafted collector coins capture the spirit of Canada for the enjoyment of customers around the world."

The one-cent circulation coin, more commonly known as the penny, has an unquestionable legacy as both a pillar of Canadian commerce and a cornerstone of our cultural history. The last million coins produced for distribution at the Mint's Winnipeg facility in the spring of 2012 were set aside to create 20,000 of rolls of 50 coins each, packaged in a commemorative wrap and sealed with a holographic label.  This unique collectible is a final farewell and thank you to a coin which has been part of the Mint's history since it first opened for business in Ottawa, in 1908.

Our world-famous Maple Leaf brand of bullion coins has also captured the imagination of customers around the world and two of those products are celebrating their 25^th anniversary in 2013. The 99.99% pure Silver Maple Leaf (SML) bullion coin is honoured with two finely crafted fine silver collector coins, each featuring their own adaptation of the iconic maple leaf design: an imposing 5 oz. coin with a reverse proof finish and a 1 oz. coin featuring a maple leaf with a shadow silhouette selectively plated in gold. A similar gold-plated motif appears on a 1 oz. 99.95% pure platinum coin celebrating the Platinum Maple Leaf (PML).  All three coins feature the Arnold Machin effigy of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, which appeared on the obverse of the first SML and PML bullion coins in 1988.

The second coin in a series which made headlines around the world is our celebrated glow-in-the-dark dinosaur coin.  Featuring a giant of the Late Cretaceous skies, the painted illustration of Quetzalcoatlus, reveals the glow-in-the-dark skeletal structure of this prehistoric animal.  This coin is limited to 30,000 examples world-wide.

Drawing from Canada's earliest folklore, the Mint has created a new series of $5 fine silver coins celebrating the tradition of hunting, as seen through the eyes of First Nations artists.  Designed by Coast Salish First Nations artist Darlene Gait, Tradition of Hunting - Deer is the first coin in this new series.  It shows a camouflaged hunter taking his son on his first hunt, stalking a deer in a meadow.  This 99.99% pure silver coin with contrasting finishes is limited to a mintage of 10,000 coins.      

Also available for order today are:

• A $3 face-value, Hummingbird and Morning Glory 99.99% pure silver coin enhanced by a Siam Red Swarovski crystal;
• a new half-gram Hummingbird pure gold coin with a 25-cent face value, the smallest coin size ever issued by the Mint;
• a $25 face-value pure gold coin and a $20 face-value fine silver coin launching a new Untamed Canada Series with the Arctic Fox; and
• the pure gold and fine silver Beaver coins from our new O Canada Series.

Mintages, pricing and full background information on each product can be found on 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