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 »

Ottawa, Ontario — The Royal Canadian Mint has launched the third and final issue of the world’s first series of bullion coins honouring the spirit of the Olympic Games.

The Mint’s Ottawa facility will produce up to 50,000 gold coins for the 2010 issue and the silver version will be produced on demand.

"The Royal Canadian Mint is very proud to produce gold and silver bullion coins which stand out from the competition and capture the attention of the marketplace," said Ian E. Bennett, President and CEO of the Royal Canadian Mint.

"The Mint has been delighted by investor and collector response to the first two issues of its Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games Gold and Silver Maple Leaf bullion coins and is looking forward to a repeat success as its newest Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games bullion coins are launched with only months remaining before the excitement of the 2010 Winter Games."

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CALGARY, ALBERTA – Although snow isn’t readily available in most parts of Canada at this time of year, the Royal Canadian Mint is inviting Canadians to celebrate an exciting winter sport with the latest circulation coin in its Vancouver 2010 collection — the 25-cent coin featuring bobsleigh.

To celebrate the launch of the coin, a special coin exchange will be held today in Calgary at the RBC Branch on Stephen Avenue Mall with special guest, Canadian bobsleigh athlete and RBC Olympian, Shelley-Ann Brown.

"Today marks only 234 days until Vancouver hosts the biggest sporting event in the world," said Ian E. Bennett, President and CEO of the Royal Canadian Mint. "Through our innovative circulation coin program, the Mint is providing Canadians from coast to coast to coast with a unique way to collect a piece of the Games, which will serve as a lasting reminder of this extraordinary moment in our country’s history." Read the rest of this entry »

Vote to Determine Canadian 2010 Olympic 25-Cent Coin Designs

OTTAWA, ONTARIO – Canadians from coast to coast to coast can recall that one special moment during an Olympic Winter Games that captured their imagination and was a source of national pride. Which one stands above the rest in your mind?

The Royal Canadian Mint and Canada’s Olympic Broadcast Media Consortium are inviting Canadians to vote on the Top 10 Canadian Olympic Winter Moments of all time.

The Top 3 moments will be featured on 25-cent coins, each with a mintage of 22 million, and will enter into circulation in the fall of 2009, leading up to the Vancouver 2010 Winter Games. The results of the Top 10 Canadian Olympic Winter Moments will be revealed in a one-hour prime-time broadcast special, in English and French, in September 2009 on CTV, TSN and RDS.

The following are the Top 10 Moments to choose from: Read the rest of this entry »

QUEBEC CITY, QUEBEC – The Royal Canadian Mint is releasing the latest circulation coin in its Vancouver 2010 collection – a 25-cent coin featuring the sport of speed skating. The coin was officially launched today at the Canada Cup #3 speed skating event in Quebec City, which is being held at the Anneau de glace Gaétan Boucher. 

"Some of Canada’s most memorable Winter Olympic moments involve thrilling victories in speed skating and the Mint is delighted to celebrate this sport in such a unique way," said Ian E. Bennett, President and CEO of the Royal Canadian Mint. "As we look forward to the Olympic speed skating competition next February at the Richmond Olympic Oval, we invite all Canadians to keep this special coin as a way to build momentum for the Games."

"We are thrilled to see our sport and athletes depicted on a commemorative coin in the lead up to the 2010 Olympic Winter Games," explained Jean R.Dupré, Director General of Speed Skating Canada. "Our athletes and teams have a long history of Olympic achievements, and we are excited to see they will live on forever with this piece of memorabilia."

Up to 22 million 25-cent speed skating coins will enter into circulation on March 12, 2009 and will be available exclusively at RBC branches and participating Petro-Canada locations. Read the rest of this entry »

Royal Canadian Mint and Canada’s Olympic Broadcast Media Consortium invite Canadians to vote on favourite Top 10 Canadian Olympic Winter Moments

OTTAWA, ONTARIO – The Royal Canadian Mint and Canada’s Olympic Broadcast Media Consortium are inviting Canadians to celebrate the rich and storied history of the Olympic Winter Games by voting on the Top 10 Canadian Olympic Winter Moments of all time for a chance to win one of two trips for two to the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games.

The Top 3 moments will be featured on 25-cent coins, each with a mintage of 22 million, and will enter into circulation in the fall of 2009, leading up to Vancouver 2010. The results of the Top 10 Canadian Olympic Winter Moments will be revealed in a one-hour prime-time broadcast special, in English and French, in September 2009 on CTV, TSN and RDS.

"Whether they recently witnessed it in real-time or read about it decades later, Canadians from coast to coast can recall that special moment in our country’s winter sports history that instilled a sense of pride like no other," said Ian E. Bennett, President and CEO of the Royal Canadian Mint. "We’re proud to give Canadians the opportunity to determine the most extraordinary Olympic Winter Games moments to complete our Vancouver 2010 circulation coin program."

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WHISTLER, BRITISH COLUMBIA – With one year to go before Vancouver welcomes the world for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games, Royal Canadian Mint has launched the latest coin in its Vancouver 2010 collection.

The sport of cross-country skiing is depicted on the 25-cent coin, which was launched today at the FIS World Cup Cross-Country Skiing competition at Whistler Olympic Park, the venue which will host all Olympic and Paralympic cross-country skiing events in 2010.

 "As the Mint begins the third year of its extensive Vancouver 2010 circulation and commemorative coin program, we are pleased to kick-off 2009 with a coin that features a sport enjoyed by Canadians of all ages from coast to coast," said Ian E. Bennett, President and CEO of the Royal Canadian Mint.

"While our athletes continue their training towards Vancouver, we encourage Canadians to save this special coin, along with the other coins in the Vancouver 2010 collection, as a unique way to build momentum and wish them the very best of luck."

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Tokyo, Japan – With a little over one year to go before the next Olympic Games, Taisei Coins Corporation is excited to be the authorized distributor of the Royal Canadian Mint’s Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games commemorative coins in Japan. 

Taisei Coins today introduced its impressive offering of Royal Canadian Mint coins at a press conference hosted by the Canadian Embassy to Japan.  By February 2010, the Mint will have issued thirty-six limited mintage collector coins and sets and put into circulation 17 coins in Canada featuring designs related to the 2010 Winter Games.  This is the most extensive coin program in relation to the Olympic Games ever conceived by any mint worldwide.

"Through this extensive coin program, the Mint’s goal is to ignite the spirit of the Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games," said Ian E. Bennett, President and CEO of the Royal Canadian Mint.  "We expect that collectors from Japan and around the world will forever treasure these precious and elegant reminders of the Royal Canadian Mint’s celebration of an exceptional moment in Canadian sporting history."

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The Royal Canadian Mint’s latest coin in the Vancouver 2010 collection is launched. The sport of cross-country skiing is depicted on the newest circulating 25-cent coin to commemorate the Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games.

The Mint will officially introduce the public to the tenth of seventeen circulation coins to celebrate the Vancouver Olympic games on Thursday, January 15th. For three continuous days (until Saturday) between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., anyone can exchange money for the new shiny coins at the Lagimodière Boulevard boutique.

"Saving this special coin is a unique way to build momentum for the Games and to generate luck for our athletes who will compete in this momentous event," the Royal Canadian Mint said in a media advisory.

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