25-cent coin features new poppy design and $2 coin honours the 100th anniversary of Lt. Col. John McCrae's writing of "In Flanders Fields"
GUELPH, ON, Oct. 23, 2015 /CNW/ - One hundred years after Canadian Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae penned In Flanders Fields on the battlefield of Ypres, Belgium, the Royal Canadian Mint has issued a $2 circulation coin commemorating his iconic poem of remembrance, as well as a 25-cent circulation coin featuring a life-like poppy design. These coins were unveiled at a special ceremony held today at McCrae House.
"The Mint has a proud history of crafting coins which honour the many Canadians who have risked or sacrificed their lives in defending our freedoms and values," said Sandra Hanington, President and CEO of the Royal Canadian Mint. "As Canadians across the country are once more preparing to honour our veterans at upcoming Remembrance Day ceremonies, the Mint is pleased to join them in remembrance through new circulation coins."
"One hundred years after they were penned on the battlefield, the moving words of In Flanders Fields continue to remind us that the peace and freedom we enjoy every day as Canadians is the ultimate gift of our veterans," said Royal Canadian Legion Dominion President Tom Eagles. "By collecting the circulation coins issued by the Mint today, Canadians will have a permanent way to remember the sacrifices of all our veterans, as well as learn more about Lt. Col. John McCrae's historic contribution to honouring their memory."
Canadians can look for this coin in their change, attend coin exchanges at special events in select locations across Canada and at the Mint's Ottawa, Winnipeg and Vancouver boutiques, or obtain limited quantities through an online coin exchange at www.mint.ca/remembrance (limited to Canada only).
The Mint also issued a number of collector coins celebrating the 100th anniversary of the writing of In Flanders Fields in 2015, including: a limited edition proof silver dollar and fine silver coins in ¼ oz., 1 oz., 5 oz. and 10 oz. sizes;. More information on this family of products can be found at www.mint.ca.
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 these coins are available by visiting https://www.dropbox.com/sh/k3sl0h3fdw8ut53/AADJ9mcN10tola7JhzLy2jG5a?dl=0
Backgrounder
25-CENT POPPY AND $2 COIN HONOURING THE 100th ANNIVERSARY OF THE WRITING OF IN FLANDERS FIELDS
In recognition of the 100th anniversary of the writing of In Flanders Fields by Canadian Lt. Col. John McCrae on the front lines of the Second Battle of Ypres, Belgium in 1915, the Royal Canadian Mint has issued a 2015 $2 circulation coin honouring this iconic poem of remembrance. The reverse side of this coin, designed by Canadian Artist Glen Loates, features an image of Lt.-Col. McCrae writing In Flanders Fields on the battlefield surrounded by crosses and poppies, with the larks described in his poem flying overhead. At the bottom of the outer ring, the words "REMEMBER" and "SOUVENIR" flank each side of the 2015 year of issue. A total of five million $2 circulation coins celebrating the 100th anniversary of the writing of In Flanders Fields have been produced.
As In Flanders Fields inspired Canada and countries around the world to adopt the poppy as the universal symbol of remembrance, a new 25-cent commemorative circulation coin featuring an artistic interpretation of the poppy has been released. Designed by artist Tony Bianco, the reverse of this coin depicts a large poppy in the foreground surrounded by smaller poppies in the background. This natural-looking illustration is presented in two versions: a coloured poppy which appears on 6.25 million coins and an uncoloured version of the poppy, which graces 6.25 million non-coloured poppy coins. The legend "REMEMBER-SOUVENIR" is also engraved in a banner at the bottom of the coin. A total of 12.5 million 25-cent poppy coins will circulate across Canada.
Canadians can look for these coins in their change, attend coin exchanges at special events in select locations across Canada, as well as at the Mint's Ottawa, Winnipeg and Vancouver boutiques, or one of 75,000 packs containing two $2 coins and two of each version of the 25-cent coins through an online coin exchange at www.mint.ca/remembrance (limited to Canada only).
While supplies last, 10,000 collector cards, filled with one of each coin, can also be ordered online at the face value cost of $2.50 (limit of one card per household).
SOURCE Royal Canadian Mint
