100 Year-Old Royal Canadian Mint Introduces Landmark Themes in First Collector Coins of 2008
Ottawa, Ontario, January 9, 2008 – One week after turning 100 years old, the Royal Canadian Mint (RCM) today released the first new collector coins and gift products of 2008. In keeping with its mandate of celebrating Canada’s values, history and culture, the RCM has chosen to devote the silver dollar, in proof, brilliant uncirculated and selectively gold plated finishes, to Samuel de Champlain, as a tribute to the 400th anniversary of the founding of Quebec City.
This figurehead of the RCM’s annual collector coin program is followed by the perennial $100, $200 and $300 face value gold issues featuring themes which resonate from Canada’s East to West coasts, as well as the traditionally anticipated proof, uncirculated and specimen coin sets. The popular annual coin sets featuring a unique painted 25-cent coin are once more available in five different themes, as are annual baby and wedding gift sets.
“Over 100 years, the Royal Canadian Mint has established a global reputation as a leader in the minting industry”, said Ian E. Bennett, President and CEO of the Royal Canadian Mint. “The quality and creativity which are hallmarks of the Royal Canadian Mint shine through in the first new collector coins of 2008. The themes they portray will resonate with Canadian and international collectors alike”.
Below are several of the featured products that are being introduced this month.
2008 PROOF SILVER DOLLAR – CELEBRATING THE ANNIVERSARY OF QUEBEC CITY (1608-2008)
A pivotal figure in Canadian history, Samuel de Champlain landed on the shore of the St. Lawrence River in 1608 at a place the local Algonquin people called “Kebec” or “where the river narrows”. 400 years later, the banks of the St Lawrence are bursting with pride as millions of Canadians celebrate a milestone anniversary in the history of Quebec City, one of North America’s oldest and most enchanting cities. The Royal Canadian Mint is proud to join Quebec City, its citizens and its admirers across Canada and the world, in marking the city’s 400th anniversary on the 2008 proof silver dollar.
This sterling silver dollar features a portrait of Samuel de Champlain with the “habitation” he built at the foot of Cap-aux-Diamants, now Quebec City, in the background. This design is the work of Longueuil, QC artist Suzanne Duranceau. Limited to a mintage of 65,000, the 2008 Proof Silver Dollar retails for a suggested $42.95 CDN. The brilliant uncirculated version of this coin is also proposed at $34.95 CDN and limited to a mintage of 35,000.
The same design is reproduced on a selectively gold-plated proof dollar coin, which is exclusive to the RCM’s 2008 Proof Set. Only 60,000 sets, with a suggested retail price of $89.95 CDN, are available world-wide.
