What has 11 sides, is yellow-gold in colour, and is celebrating a birthday? Canada's iconic, modern one-dollar coin, commonly known as "the Loonie", turns 20 on June 30th. It has been two decades since Canadians said goodbye to one-dollar banknotes and welcomed the new coin into their pockets and change purses. At that time, it was the most significant change to Canada's coinage system in over 50 years.

"In 1987, the Royal Canadian Mint was proud to be involved in such an important event and over the years, the one-dollar coin has become a true Canadian symbol," said Ian E. Bennett, President and CEO of the Royal Canadian Mint.

The Government of Canada first announced the introduction of the aureate one-dollar coin in March 1986, after several business and special interest groups suggested significant savings and benefits could be realized.

While the reverse of the one-dollar coin bears the design of a loon on water, by Ontario artist Robert-Ralph Carmichael, the coin has seen several alternate designs in the past few years, including:

• The 1992 125 Anniversary of Canada Parliament Buildings and Children Commemorative.
• The Remembrance design, featuring the National War Memorial in Ottawa in 1994.
• Special Lucky Loonie designs in 2004 and 2006, to cheer on our Olympic and Paralympic athletes.
• The commemoration of the 25th anniversary of Terry Fox's Marathon of Hope in 2005, which was the first time a Canadian- born individual was featured on a Canadian circulation coin.
• The Vancouver 2010 Olympics will be commemorated on special Loonies in 2008 and 2010.

Other Loonie related newsletters:

Royal Canadian Mint to circulate Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympic Quarters and Dollars

Royal Canadian Mint Launches Lucky Loonie in Vancouver

Fruit of the Loon

We also have photos of the 2006 launch of the Olympic Lucky Loonie.

Newsletter #109
Hudson's Bay Company Archives Added to UNESCO Memory of the World Registry

5630 Dunbar St. at 41st Ave.
Vancouver, BC, V6N 1W7

Phone: 604-684-4613 Fax: 604-266-4515

e-mail: collect@direct.ca

site design and maintenance © 2008 WhateverWerx Multimedia