The Royal Canadian Mint is delighted that its bi-metallic $2 circulation coin featuring a world-first black nickel-plated outer ring was recognized as the Best New Circulating Coin or Coin Series under the International Association of Currency Affairs’ (IACA) 2023 Excellence in Currency Awards.
Developed by the Mint’s Research and Development team, the black nickel plating on the coin’s outer ring is reminiscent of a mourning armband, echoing the loss felt by millions of Canadians upon their late queen’s passing on September 8, 2022. The award was officially presented at the 2023 Currency Conference in Mexico City, Mexico.
"Queen Elizabeth II served as Canada’s head of state for seven decades and for millions of Canadians, she was the only monarch they had ever known," said Marie Lemay, President and CEO of the Royal Canadian Mint. "By leveraging yet another Royal Canadian Mint innovation to create this special $2 circulation coin, we were able to offer Canadians an excellent way to remember her."
This circulation coin was launched on December 7, 2022, when thousands of visitors flocked to the Mint’s Ottawa and Winnipeg boutiques, to trade their loose change for an affordable and memorable keepsake by which to remember the late queen. It features the traditional Brent Townsend polar bear design on the core of the reverse, as well as the Susanna Blunt effigy of Her Late Majesty on the obverse. While the metal composition of the coin remains unchanged, the outer ring is black. Click here for more information.
Nearly five million coins enter the national coin distribution system in December and additional volumes are being produced to meet ongoing marketplace demand.
The Excellence in Currency Awards were introduced by IACA in 2007 to promote and recognise excellence in currency issue, production, processing, management and distribution. The Mint is proud to have been recognized through several previous awards:
- the Best New Commemorative or Test Circulating Coin for the Barbados $1 Glow-in-the-Dark Flying Fish (2022);
- the Best Currency Initiative Implemented in Response to the Covid-19 Pandemic (Other Organization) special award for the Recognition Medal honouring Canada’s front-line workers and community difference makers (2021);
- our tri-metal token technology, under the Best new coin product, feature or distribution innovation category (2019)
- our Canada 150 commemorative circulation coin program in the Best New Communications Program category (2017)
- joint recognition with the Reserve Bank of New Zealand for New Zealand’s 50-cent Anzac 100TH anniversary coloured circulation coin, in the Best New Commemorative or Test Circulating Coin category (2015);
- our multi-ply plated steel $1 and $2 circulation coins with advanced security features, introduced in 2012, in the Best New Coin Innovation category (2013);
- our Vancouver 2010 Winter Games commemorative circulation coin program in the Best New Coins Series category (2011); and
- our 2006 25-cent Pink Ribbon circulation coin in the Best New Coin category (2007).
About the Royal Canadian Mint
The Royal Canadian Mint is the Crown corporation responsible for the minting and distribution of Canada’s circulation coins. 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.
About IACA
Working hand in hand with the public and private sector, IACA’s goal is to provide an international exchange for consultation and collaboration on matters of interest to stakeholders in the cash payments cycle and to give back to the industry through the benefits provided from our various project work, programs and information resources. Member companies include all stakeholders in the cash payments cycle, including: central banks; currency issuing authorities; ministries of finance; state and commerical printworks; state and commercial mints; cash management companies; currency industry suppliers and cash handling suppliers.
The RCM reaches peaks at both ends of the spectrum; some of its coins are truly amazing, such as this one clearly is, and some others can best be described as “why bother”.
EZZZACTLY Kaiser! 😉
I see you’ve noticed that too, Chris!
RCM also produced a 2023 $2 Pure Silver Coin – Tribute: W Mint Mark – Polar Bear. It has QEII 1952-2022 on the obverse.
Whoa, that’s a nice looking coin, Major D; I really like that polar bear reverse!
Thanks, I’m selective about buying from RCM and usually only get a couple coins per year. I’m happy with this one that just arrived the other day. It’s another one of those low mintage series that RCM is famous for. The Toonie tribute (mintage 7,500) is the first coin in a series that begins in 2023, all having the W (Winnipeg) mint mark: Coin 1: Polar Bear Coin 2: Loon Coin 3: Coat of Arms Coin 4: Caribou Coin 5: Bluenose Coin 6: Beaver I bought the 2022 RCM Silver 10th Anniv of the Farewell to the Penny W Mint Mark… Read more »
It appears you’ve assembled quite an impressive collection of Canadian coinage in spite of intentionally limiting the number of your annual purchases from the RCM. There is definitely something to be said about well thought out coin buying practices, Major D, and besides, quality always beats quantity.
I have the 5kg on payment plan. I skipped the 5oz version.
Have you seen the price the RCM is asking for them? Looks like a specimen finish. Maybe it’s for people who like Canadian specimen coins.
I ordered one of these as well and received it last month. I believe this is only the 4th maybe 5th numismatic coin made at the Winnipeg facility. I lost count but I’m pretty sure I have 1 of each. 2 gold and 2 silver.
Following up on a past discussion of Kennedy halves, I just landed a box of 50 rolls from my bank. I asked for quarters, but they were out because their shipment included halves instead of the quarters they requested. So maybe the Fed is actually trying to disperse the halves now. The rolls are all mixed dates.
Two things about that, Major D. First, it’s rather surprising not only that they had those Half Dollars but that they had so many of them. Secondly, you’re fortunate you have such a helpful and friendly bank to deal with; I’ve given up on asking mine for anything special since while they aren’t rude as such they clearly don’t like to go out of their way to do anything other than transact regular everyday bank business.
Purchased a roll. The outer ring is more dark grey than black, as shown.
Just off the top of my head, Antonio, would the coin possibly have been shaded lighter that way in order for the the inscription to be seen more easily?
Your guess is as good as mine.
Or it could simply be a case of the photographic image not being realistic.
Yes, that’s what’s being complained about in Canada. The images are dark black but the actual coin is more of a grey colour.
So, in essence a visual illusion rather than a numismatic error.
I think mine look pretty black. But judging only from the 2 on the end. I never open the wrappers lol
I have never opened the wrapper on any coin roll I have ever acquired from the Mint, Adam L; in fact, I would see that as a veritable desecration. 😉
RCM has this bi-metallic $2 circulation coin in its 2023 Specimen set.
Yes, the toonie is bi-metallic.
Yes, was just saying the coin mentioned in the article is in the specimen set in addition to the rolls. Obviously, the specimen one is of higher quality and is the one to get IMO if you’re into toonies.
Major D, are the terms “specimen” and “proof” interchangeable?
Like a good coin-collecting doobie I’ve done some research and answered my own question. These are in fact two different finishes.