VANCOUVER, British Columbia — The Royal Canadian Mint, proud producer of the Vancouver 2010 athlete medals, is thrilled to celebrate Canada’s first Olympic gold medal on home soil with a medallion and commemorative coin.

The first gold medal was won today [February 14] by Alexandre Bilodeau in Men’s Moguls Freestyle Skiing at Cypress Mountain.

"The Olympic Games movement encourages all athletes to do their absolute best during competition and to view this effort as its own victory," said Ian E. Bennett, President and CEO of the Royal Canadian Mint. Read the rest of this entry »

VANCOUVER, British Columbia — With one day remaining before the eyes of the world turn to Canada for the Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games, the Royal Canadian Mint is proud to issue the 2010 Lucky Loonie.

The one-dollar coin, which features the Ilanaaq, the Official Emblem of the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games, was launched at a public hockey shoot-out special event outside the Royal Canadian Mint Pavilion in downtown Vancouver. Read the rest of this entry »

OTTAWA, ONTARIO — The countdown is on as the Royal Canadian Mint prepares to launch a unique and interactive pavilion for visitors during the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games.

An impressive exhibit showcasing award-winning numismatic and circulation coins, world-class craftsmanship through the making of the Olympic and Paralympic medals, and the world-famous million-dollar gold coin is set to open February 12, 2010.

"Today marks one week until Vancouver hosts the biggest sporting event in the world," said Ian E. Bennett, President and CEO of the Royal Canadian Mint. "As a proud supporter of the 2010 Winter Games, the Mint is excited to welcome visitors to our pavilion where they will find unique attractions, interactive technology and the opportunity to get behind the scenes at the Mint. We promise an unforgettable experience for visitors of all ages."

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Ottawa, Ontario — The Royal Canadian Mint today released its first new collector coins and gift products of 2010, choosing the distinguished celebration of the Canadian Navy’s centennial as the theme of its 2010 Silver Dollar.

This flagship of the Mint’s annual collector coin program is joined by the newest editions of annual releases consisting of $100, $200 and $300 face value gold issues, as well as proof, uncirculated and specimen coin sets featuring popular icons of Canada.  Attractive gift sets and new greeting card coins complete the line-up.

"The Royal Canadian Mint is proud to celebrate Canada’s heritage, culture and values through the rich and exciting variety of collector coins it produces every year," said Ian E. Bennett, President and CEO of the Royal Canadian Mint.

"In 2010, Mint employees are honoured to pay tribute to the distinguished celebration of the centennial of Canada’s Navy while celebrating many other uniquely Canadian symbols through an inspiring array of world-class collector coins".

Below are the featured products being launched today. Read the rest of this entry »

OTTAWA, ONTARIO — The Royal Canadian Mint is inviting Canadians to save the latest circulation coin in its Vancouver 2010 collection — the 25-cent coin celebrating Cindy Klassen’s unprecedented five medals at the Turin Games in 2006.

She won the gold medal in the 1500 meter race, silver medals in the 1000 meter race and in the team pursuit, as well as bronze medals in the 5000 meter and 3000 meter races. This extraordinary accomplishment led IOC president Jacques Rogge to name Klassen the "woman of the Games".

"I recall the 2006 Winter Olympic Games for the pride Canadians felt as they watched Cindy Klassen sweep around the Torino Oval Lingotto and grace the podium on five separate occasions," said Ian E. Bennett, President and CEO of the Royal Canadian Mint.

"Employees of the Mint could not be more proud than to have produced this coin in Winnipeg, featuring hometown speed skating hero Cindy Klassen and we wish her the very best as she competes at the Vancouver 2010 Games next month."

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OTTAWA, ON — The Royal Canadian Mint today released findings of third party reviews which fully accounts for the difference between the Corporation’s stock keeping records and the physical amount of precious metals on hand for the 2008 fiscal year.

"Last month, the RCMP concluded their investigation and established that no theft of gold occurred at the Mint. Today, I am pleased to announce that following extensive and thorough reviews, all precious metals for 2008 have been accounted for," said Ian E. Bennett, President and CEO of the Royal Canadian Mint. "I would like to thank employees for their patience as this important review process ran its due course, as well as our valued customers for their unwavering support."

Based on recommendations in the June 2009 report by Deloitte and Touche which determined that the unreconciled difference of 17,500 ounces of gold was not the result of a 2008 accounting or transactional errors, the Mint engaged the following third parties to review specific aspects of its operations: Read the rest of this entry »

Ottawa, Ontario — For the fourth consecutive year, the Royal Canadian Mint has been named one of Canada’s Top 100 Employers for 2010. This annual list, published by MediaCorp, recognizes employers that are industry leaders at attracting and retaining employees.

“The Royal Canadian Mint is extremely proud to be included as one of Canada’s Top 100 Employers, particularly to be among a list of such distinguished and industry-leading Canadian companies,” said Ian E. Bennett, President and CEO of the Royal Canadian Mint. “I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate employees for making the Mint such a great place to work each and every day.”

The Mint has also once again been selected as one of the Top 25 Employers in the National Capital Region. Read the rest of this entry »

Ottawa, Ontario, – As Canadians start planning for the holiday season, the Royal Canadian Mint has unwrapped its latest collector coins and gift products of 2009.

A vivid array of precious and base metal coins await the sophisticated collector or gift-giver with offerings such as:

The public can now purchase these new products, while a new Vancouver 2010 silver collector coin featuring an ultra high relief First Nations-inspired rendition of the sun goes on sale October 7. Read the rest of this entry »

Hockey victory voted by fans as the top Canadian Olympic Winter Games moment of all time

OTTAWA, ONTARIO — An historic Olympic hockey victory for Canada is now forever etched on a 25-cent coin. The Royal Canadian Mint is inviting Canadians to save the latest circulation coin in its Vancouver 2010 collection – the 25-cent coin celebrating the men’s hockey gold at Salt Lake City in 2002.

The launch of the coin was commemorated today at a special event for local hockey youth with special guests including NHL hockey star and member of the 2002 men’s Olympic hockey team Michael Peca, Ottawa 67’s head coach Chris Byrne and members of the Ottawa 67’s hockey team.

"Many Canadians from coast to coast remember where they were on February 24, 2002 when the final seconds of the game counted down to the exhilaration of Canada’s first Olympic gold medal in men’s hockey in 50 years," said Ian E. Bennett, President and CEO of the Royal Canadian Mint. "We can each relive the thrill of that magical day by saving this special 25-cent coin while looking forward to new memories which will be made at the Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games."

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Men’s Hockey Gold at Salt Lake City 2002 Voted by Fans as Top Canadian Olympic Winter Games Moment of All Time

TORONTO — It was a momentous victory that united a country in pride and passion, cementing Canada’s position atop the hockey world and proving once and for all that hockey is Canada’s game.

On February 24, with millions of fans on the edge of their seats, Team Canada defeated the United States 5-2 at the 2002 Winter Games to capture Canada’s first men’s Olympic hockey gold medal in 50 years.

More than seven years later, this moment remains etched in the memories of all Canadians, and was voted by fans as the #1 Canadian Olympic Winter Games Moment of all time.

Results were revealed earlier tonight [Saturday] on CTV and V in the Top 10 Canadian Olympic Winter Moments, presented by the Royal Canadian Mint, which counted down the Top 10 moments (10 through 1), as voted on earlier this year by fans across the country. Read the rest of this entry »