HALIFAX, OCT. 20, 2016 /CNW/ - At a special ceremony held aboard HMCS Sackville, the last of 123 Canadian corvettes to sail in the Second World War, the Royal Canadian Mint today unveiled a new two-dollar circulation coin commemorating the 75th anniversary of the Battle of the Atlantic. This coin, which was revealed before guests including veterans of the Battle of the Atlantic, has begun circulating today and Canadians can now start looking for it in their change.
"The Government of Canada is proud that the Mint is issuing a circulation coin which recognizes that 75 years ago, Canada emerged as a leader in the Battle of the Atlantic, to protect the shipping lanes essential to the Allied war effort and help ensure victory in the Second World War," said the Honourable Bill Morneau, Minister of Finance. "Through the honourable tradition of issuing remembrance-themed coins, the Mint is ensuring Canadians never forget that the peace and freedom they are privileged to enjoy today were hard-won by the service and sacrifice of our veterans."
"The Mint is privileged to be able to use its coins to share the inspiring stories of our veterans' selfless defense of our values," said Sandra Hanington, President and CEO of the Royal Canadian Mint. "On the 75th anniversary of a turning point for Canada in the Second World War, our new two-dollar circulation coin is giving millions of Canadians yet another story worth holding onto as we remember how our veterans, in the armed forces and the merchant navy, helped win the Battle of the Atlantic."
The reverse image of this new circulation coin features the artwork of Canadian maritime artist Yves Bérubé. It depicts the many crucial actors in Canada's victory in the Battle of the Atlantic: an anti-aircraft gunman positioned on the deck of a Corvette; an Allied aircraft hunting enemy submarines; as well as a merchant ship whose vital cargo is protected by a nearby navy vessel on convoy duty.
Limited to a mintage of five million coins, the two-dollar circulation coin commemorating the 75th Anniversary of the Battle of the Atlantic will be available in general circulation, as well as through public coin exchanges at the Mint's Ottawa, Winnipeg and Vancouver boutiques, or through an online coin exchange at www.mint.ca/battleatlantic (limited to Canada only).
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 this coin are available at https://www.dropbox.com/sh/4amcxdwij6ii1an/AAAwZsvPUkiZrgfe1b0YCNj-a?dl=0
SOURCE Royal Canadian Mint
