Beautiful World Coins

Three coins celebrating the 90th Anniversary of the end of the First World War

The Royal Canadian Mint, in association with the Royal Canadian Legion, is proud to issue three coins commemorating the 90th anniversary of the Armistice. Between 1914 and 1918 over 650,000 Canadian men and women fought to protect the peace and freedom our country enjoys today. Of those, more than 66,000 gave their lives and another 170,000 would be wounded.

The first coin is a commemorative circulation 25-cent coin featuring the iconic red poppy, Canada's flower of remembrance. The poppy coin is the third colored circulation coin to be produced by the RCM, following the 2004 red poppy coin honoring those who made the ultimate sacrifice to defend Canada's freedom, and the 2006 pink ribbon coin which raised awareness for the fight against breast cancer.

The second coin is an oversized commemorative 25-cent coin depicting the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at the National War Memorial in Ottawa. Three soldiers representing Canada's land, sea and air forces stand in tribute.

The third coin is a limited-edition poppy proof silver dollar featuring a finely sculpted poppy blossom in ultra-high-relief set against a maple leaf with a ribbon of remembrance, and the inscription “1918 ARMISTICE 2008”.

Mint: Ottawa

Year: 2008

Face value: 25 Cents (Poppy and National War Memorial), 1 Dollar (Limited-edition Poppy)

Finish: Circulation (Poppy), Specimen (National War Memorial), Proof (Limited-edition Poppy)

Composition: 94% Steel, 3.8% Copper, 2.2% Nickel (Poppy), Nickel-Plated Steel (National War Memorial), 92.5% Silver, 7.5% Copper (Limited-edition Poppy)

Size: 23.88 mm (Poppy), 35 mm (National War Memorial), 36.15 mm (Limited-edition Poppy)

Weight: 4.4 grams (Poppy), 12.61 grams (National War Memorial), 30 grams (Limited-edition Poppy)

Mintage: 11,000,000 (Poppy), 25,000 (National War Memorial), 5,000 (Limited-edition Poppy)

The Canadian Snowflake Silver Coins with Swarovski Crystals

The Royal Canadian Mint just issued these two beautiful 2008 silver proof $20 snowflake coins: the sapphire and amethyst snowflake coins, featuring CRYSTALLIZED™ - Swarovski Elements overlaying the intricate design. In 2007, the RCM had issued an iridescent and a blue snowflake $20 coin that proved to be very popular.

These wintry beauties are scientifically referred to as six-sided dendritic ice crystals. As water vapor freezes within a cloud, temperature, wind and humidity will influence the size and shape of the ice crystals that fall to the ground. Sometimes they will clump together to form large, wet flakes. Or, they'll fall as dry, powdery snow. But if the conditions are just right and the ice crystals can grow large and drift gently earthward without clumping together, the result is a flurry of endless masterpieces—those elaborate star-shaped flakes. They may appear to have endless shapes and forms, but they all maintain their hallmark hexagonal shape; and none of their branches are ever exactly the same.

These snowflakes are so intricate, they have the focus of much admiration and study. With so much of its activity dependent upon and shaped by winter's frozen marvels, Canada has become known internationally for its scientific contributions to snow and ice research. The world's most accurate gauge for recording snowfall and automated sensors that measure snow accumulation and melt on major glaciers and ice sheets are found in Canada.

  

Mint: Ottawa

Year: 2008

Face value: 20 Dollars

Finish: Proof with Swarovski Crystals

Composition: 99.99% Silver

Size: 38 mm

Weight: 31.39 grams

Mintage: 7,500 each (Sapphire and Amethyst)

Celebrate with the 2008 Holiday Carols $20 Silver Proof Coin from Canada

Just in time for the holidays, the Royal Canadian Mint issued this beautiful 2008 silver proof $20 coin featuring four carollers in Victorian attire on a snowy street corner. This is the second coin in this annual holiday-themed series. Last year, the RCM issued a silver proof coin featuring a Holiday Sleigh Ride.

Singing and the Holidays go hand in hand. It's a natural impulse to express one's joy in song; one that predates Christianity when people used to dance and chant in a circle. Etymologists today speculate that the earliest meaning of "carol" actually suggests "circle" rather than "song."

The word "carol" began to refer strictly to nativity songs when singing became a regular part of formal church services during the 13th century. The charitable aspects of carolling evolved from beggars who sang in the streets hoping their songs would please passers-by and earn them a gift of food or money. The custom of carolling from house to house is believed to have been inspired by the watchmen of historic Europe; they too would sing as they walked the streets of their walled cities.

 

Mint: Ottawa

Year: 2008

Face value: 20 Dollars

Finish: Proof

Composition: 99.99% Silver

Size: 38 mm

Weight: 31.39 grams

Mintage: 10,000