3002) ""Loonie" (One Dollar Coin), Canada: "W" Mintmark Collector Coin Series - Winnipeg Mint: The Royal Canadian Mint (RCM) has issued a $1 (One Dollar) Silver 1.00 Oz Commemorative Coin: Date/Year of Coin issue: 27.09.2023:
The Royal Canadian Mint (RCM) has brought out its second coin highlighting the Mint's Winnipeg facility in the Collector Series titled the - “W Mintmark” Coin Series that celebrates Canada’s circulation coins, beginning with the $2 bi-metallic coin and continuing with the latest “loonie” (One Dollar) Coin.
First introduced in 1987, the story behind the development of Canada’s very popular $1 coin involved national debate, intrigue, and, ultimately, a new metonym for referring to Canadian money.
In 1986, the RCM announced plans to introduce a new one-dollar circulation type coin which would ultimately replace the banknote of the same value.
Replacing Canada’s one-dollar Banknote with a coin was the subject of much debate, but a compelling argument outlining the cost savings of about $25 million annually won the day.
The dollar banknote at the time could be expected to remain in circulation for a period of about 10 months before it needed to be replaced, whereas a coin of the same denomination could remain in circulation for 20 years or longer.
Canada’s last Dollar Banknote was printed in 1989 and was part of the “Scenes of Canada” series in use from 1968 until it was replaced with the “Birds of Canada” series, introduced in 1986.
The loon design has stood the test of time due to its simplicity in depicting an icon of Canadian wildlife.
However, it is believed the design might never have made it to Canadian coinage without the loss of master dies.
The proposed dollar coin was to include the familiar “Voyageur” design created in 1935 by Emanuel Hahn.
Meant as a commemorative coin to mark the Silver Jubilee of King George V, the design was eventually adopted for silver dollar coins minted from 1936 onwards, transitioning onto nickel strikes after 1968.
The "loon design" was approved for the country’s new one-dollar circulation coin only after the original master dies were lost in transit to the Winnipeg mint from Ottawa in November 1986.
As a consequence of the loss of the dies and to lessen the risk of counterfeit coins, a design submitted by Robert-Ralph Carmichael in 1978 depicting a loon swimming in a lake, with coniferous trees visible on the point of land on the horizon, was re-considered and adopted.
The first golden-coloured, 11-sided coins were minted in 1987 at the Royal Canadian Mint’s Winnipeg facility.
With the exception of commemorative designs, the “loonie,” as it is affectionately known, has remained in circulation ever since.
The Coin:
From the Winnipeg facility of the RCM comes this new "W Mint Mark Coin Series that celebrates Canada’s circulation coins, beginning with the $2 piece and continuing with this pure silver $1 “loonie.”
The series begins in 2023. The series kicked off with a tribute to the $2 circulation coin, and there’s more to come:
Coin 1: Polar Bear
Coin 2: Loon
Coin 3: Coat of Arms
Coin 4: Caribou
Coin 5: Bluenose
Coin 6: Beaver
The “W Mintmark” series is especially rare as the Winnipeg Mint typically focuses its efforts on circulation coins rather than numismatic or collector coins. It is the W mintmark that adds additional appeal to the series overall.
The Reverse of the $1 (One Dollar) Bimetallic Coin shows an engraved image of a solitary loon in water is synonymous with the Canadian dollar, and it is the reason why Canada’s unit of currency is affectionately known as the loonie.
The loon is swimming right in a placid lake, with a few trees dotting the landscape at left.
The loonie’s iconic loon-in-water design features a satin sheen, while the field’s textured appearance is the result of angled lines inspired by the Winnipeg Mint’s pyramid-shaped building.
On the upper periphery is the name of the issuing country - "CANADA", while on the lower periphery is mentioned the denomination of the coin - "DOLLAR" above which is inscribed the year of issue - "2023".
The Obverse of the $1 (One Dollar Dollars) Silver Proof Coin features the memorial effigy of the late Queen Elizabeth II (1926–2022) designed by Susanna Blunt, which also bears a special marking to the bottom of the portrait that includes four pearls symbolising the four effigies that have figured on Canadian coins and the double date of her reign, "1952" and "2022".
On the left periphery is mentioned - "ELIZABETH II" and on the right periphery is - "D.G.REGINA".
The specifications of this Coin are:
Country of issue: Canada; Date/Year: 25.08.2023; Denomination/Face Value: $1 (One Dollar - CAN); Metal Composition: .9999 Fineness Silver (Ag); Weight: 31.39 grams or 1.00 Oz; Diameter/Size: 38.00 mm; Coin Quality: Tailored Specimen (TS); Mintage: 7,500 pieces; Edge: Serrated; Presentation Box/Case: Yes; Certificate of Authenticity (COA): Yes; Designer: Robert-Ralph Carmichael (reverse), Susanna Blunt (obverse); Packaging: Black clamshell with black beauty box
- Each coin is encapsulated and presented in a branded Royal Canadian Mint branded Custom Case accompanied by a numbered/serialised Certificate of Authenticity (COA).
- This is the first pure silver numismatic series struck at the Winnipeg facility. Re-created in silver with a tailored specimen finish, this special tribute is an ode to the most famous Canadian circulation coin/
- The Winnipeg facility has produced every loonie since the first ones rolled off its presses in 1987.
The new - "W Mint Mark Series" celebrates Canada’s circulation coins and tells their story and the coin designs are part of Canada’s history and its heritage.
Links:
The "W" Mint Mark Coin Series:
Canada's Unexplained Phenomena Coin Series Posts on this blog:
New Generation Coin Series:
For other interesting posts on the Coins and Banknotes of Canada, please visit the following links:
Canadian Wildlife Coin Series:
Early Canadian History Coin Series:
"Tall Ships" Gold Coin Series:
Links to Star Wars Theme Posts:
i) The Mandalorian, Niue Island: New Zealand Mint has issued Gold and Silver Coins depicting the popular STAR WARS spin-off; ii) "Grogu" ("Baby Yoda"): Year of Coin issue: 2021
2) "Cara Dune", Niue Island: Second Coin in "The Mandalrian Classic Coin Collection": New Zealand Mint has issued a $2 (Two Dollars - NZD) Silver Coins depicting character from the STAR WARS Spin-off, on behalf of Niue Island: Year of Coin issue: 2021
3) "ASSASSIN DROID IG-11", Niue Island: Third Coin in "THe Mandalorian Classic Coin Collection": New Zealand Mint has issued a $2 (Two Dollars - NZD) Silver Coins depicting characters from the STAR WARS Spin-Off, on behalf of Niue Island: Year of Coin issue: 2021
4) "GROGU" or "The CHILD" -("BABY YODA"), Niue Island: Fourth Coin in "The Mandalorian Classic Coin Collection": New Zealand Mint has issued a $2 (Two Dollars - NZD) Silver Coins depicting characters from the STAR WARS Spin-off, on behalf of Niue Island: Year of Coin issue: 2021
5) "Grogu in his mobile Cradle/Pram" or "THE CHILD" - ("Baby Yoda"), Niue Island: Fifth Coin in "The Mandalorian Classic Coin Collection": New Zealand Mint has issued a $2 (Two Dollars - NZD) Silver Coins depicting characters from the STAR WARS Spin-off, on behalf of Niue Island: Year of Coin issue: 2022
6) Ahsoka Tano, Niue Island: The Mandalorian Classic Coin Collection: New zealand Mint has issued Gold and silver Coins depicting the popular "STAR WARS" spin -off: Year of Coin issue: 2022
7) "BESKAR STEEL", Niue Island: "The Mandalorian Classic Coin Collection": New Zealand Mint has issued a $2 (Two Dollars - NZD) Silver Rectangular Coin depicting the highly impenetrable protection material in the STAR WARS Spin-off, on behalf of Niue Island: Year of Coin issue: 2021
8) "Bo-Katan Kyrze", The Legendary Mandalorian Warrior, Niue Island: New Zealand Mint has issued $250 (Two Hundred Fifty Dollars - NZD) Gold, $25 Gold (Twenty Five Dollarrs - NZD) and $2 (Two Dollars - NZD) Silver Coins depicting the popular STAR WARS spin-off: Year of Coin issue: 2022
Links to "Star Wars: A New Hope™":
9) The Sand Crawler ("The Mandalorian" & "Star Wars: A New Hope"), Niue Island: New Zealand Mint has issued $25 (Twenty Five Dollars - NZD) Gold and $2 (Two Dollars - NZD) Silver Coins depicting the popular STAR WARS spin-off: Year of Coin issue: 2022
Links to posts on Boba Fett:
1) Boba Fett, New Zealand: An elegant Silver Miniature minted by the New Zealand Mint, features the popular Star Wars Bounty Hunter in full armour with his blaster at the ready: Date of issue: 10.12.2021
2) Boba Fett "Slave I" Starfighter, Niue Island: A One Oz Silver Coin depicts Fett's legendary spacecraft: Date of Coin issue: 10.12.2021 (with year of issue inscribed as 2022)
Other Links:
1) The "Empire's Death Star" (Star Wars), Niue Island: A Kilogram Dimensional Silver Coin of $ 100 NZD (Niue) minted by the New Zealand Mint on behalf of Niue Island:Year of Coin issue: 2021
2) "Star Trek", Starfield Command, United Federation of Planets, Tuvalu: $2 "Holey Dollar" united with a $1 "Delta" Coin-set
3) "Dune" (a Science Fiction Novel) by Frank Herbert, APMEX, USA: A set of Silver and Gold Coins/Rounds issued by APMEX celebrating the most iconic themes from the 2021 movie, based on the Novel being released in October 2021: Date/Year of Coins issued: 2021
4) "Star Trek", Canada: 50th Anniversary Celebrations (1966-2016): Canada Postes (Post Canada) has issued this lenticular set of two stamps featuring Star Trek characters from the franchise which debuted in Canada: Date/Year of Stamp set issue: 2016
Links to The Bad Batch Coin Series:
1) HUNTER - The Leader of the "BAD BATCH - STAR WARS, Niue Island: New Zealand Mint has issued Silver $2 (Two Dollars - NZD) Coins on behalf of Niue Island, depicting the "Clone Force 99" Group Leader: Year of Coin issue: 2022
2) WRECKER - The Demolition Expert of the "BAD BATCH" - STAR WARS, Niue Island: New Zealand Mint has issued Silver $2 (Two Dollars - NZD) Coins on behalf of Niue Island, depicting the "Clone Force 99": Year of Coin issue: 2022
Santosh Khanna has commented:
ReplyDelete"A VERY interesting and informative post. Thanks for sharing this informative post."
Thank you so much Khanna sahab.
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