The Royal Canadian Mint’s Winter 2010 Collection — Product Spotlight
Earlier this month, the Royal Canadian Mint released its first new collector coins of 2010. To follow up on our recent 2010 Proof Set Spotlight honouring the Canadian Navy’s centennial as the theme of its 2010 Silver Dollar, we’re now pleased to tell you about another perennial favourite — the annual Specimen Set which pays tribute to one of Canada’s remarkable feathered friends.
2010 Royal Canadian Mint Specimen Set Coins (not to scale) – CLICK IMAGE TO ENLARGE
The Royal Canadian Mint 2010 Specimen Set includes seven Canadian coins with a combination of superb brilliant and frosted relief finishes on lined backgrounds.
As the seventh Specimen Set to pay tribute to Canada’s diverse bird population, the breathtaking Northern Harrier takes centre stage. The Northern Harrier is an impressive raptor with a distinctive white rump patch, a face like an owl, a long tail and a wingspan up to 122 cm (48 in) in length. As the only harrier hawk in Canada, it can be seen gliding quite low over marshes or open grasslands in search of prey.
Northern Harrier aureate dollar only available within set
What makes the 2010 Specimen Set especially unique is its unexpected and exclusive aureate dollar — aka the "loonie". According to Merriam-Webster, the term "aureate" is defined to be "of a golden color or brilliance".
This Northern Harrier Aureate Dollar is only availably within the 2010 Royal Canadian Mint Specimen Set – CLICK IMAGE TO ENLARGE
As the only set offering the limited-edition Northern Harrier aureate dollar, it’s perfect for collectors and bird lovers alike. Making the 2010 Royal Canadian Mint Specimen Set even more collectible is its reduced mintage.
Elegant book-style packaging splendidly complements this fine set and each coin has been individually inspected to ensure that it meets the high standards of the Royal Canadian Mint.
Ordering Information
No order limits are in place, but mintage is limited to 35,000 sets worldwide. To order from anywhere in the world, visit:
Royal Canadian Mint Product Page for 2010 Specimen Set
Canadian and US collectors may also purchase the set through the Mint’s toll-free number:
- 1-800-267-1871 (Canada)
- 1-800-268-6468 (US)
[Interested in other finely crafted Canadian coins and sets? In addition to the Mint. ca Web site, view dozens of featured coins on the CoinNews.net page: Royal Canadian Mint Coins.]
The following coins are included in the Royal Canadian Mint 2010 Specimen Set:
2010 Specimen Set: Coins Specifications
| Face value | Composition | Weight | Diameter | Edge |
| 2 dollars | Outer ring : 99+% Ni Inner core : 92% Cu, 6% Al and 2% Ni | 7.3 | 28.03 | Interrupted serrations |
| 1 dollar | Nickel electroplated with bronze | 7.0 | 11-sided 26.50 | Plain |
| 50 cents | Three-ply nickel finish plated steel | 6.9 | 27.13 | Reeded |
| 25 cents | 4.4 | 23.88 | ||
| 10 cents | 1.75 | 18.06 | ||
| 5 cents | 3.95 | 21.20 | Plain | |
| 1 cent | Two-ply copper finish plated steel | 2.35 | 19.05 |
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.
The Mint is an Official Supporter of the Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games and has undertaken to produce the most extensive circulation coin program in relation to the Olympic Games ever conceived by any mint worldwide, while also offering limited mintage collector coins and sets. Visit www.mint.ca/2010 for Vancouver 2010 keepsakes and gifts.
