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| 5630 Dunbar St. at 41st Ave. 604-684-4613 |
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RCM puts a shine on Montréal Canadiens Centennial Plaza opening |
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Today the Royal Canadian Mint joined the Montreal Canadiens hockey club at the unveiling of the Centennial Plaza at the Bell Centre in Montreal. Four special gold coins to be permanently displayed at the foot of monuments honouring team legends Howie Morenz, Maurice Richard, Jean Béliveau and Guy Lafleur were also unveiled. These exclusive coins, engraved with the centennial logo of the Montreal Canadiens, are prominently featured on the memorial plaques of monuments dedicated to four of the most celebrated hockey players to have worn the colours of the Canadiens. The commemorative plaque on each monument also has two embedded original five-cent circulation coins of the years marking the career of each of the players. Mint and Montreal Canadiens officials, Jean Béliveau, Guy Lafleur, Henri Richard, and members of the Morenz family were on hand to witness this historic unveiling. |
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"The mystique of the Montreal Canadiens is born of the legendary exploits of four hockey heroes and their many team mates, whose success on ice has helped define Canadian hockey and Canadian identity. The Royal Canadian Mint shares the pride of Canadian hockey fans from coast to coast in honouring the Montreal Canadiens' century of golden hockey moments," said Ian E. Bennett, President and CEO of the Royal Canadian Mint. "The presence of the Montreal Canadiens centennial emblem on gold coins crafted by the Royal Canadian Mint is a wonderful gift to our organization and to Montreal Canadiens fans across Canada. We are proud to place these miniature masterpieces on permanent display at the foot of the monuments to four of the greatest players to have ever worn a Canadiens jersey," said Montreal Canadiens President Pierre Boivin. |
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While Bell Centre regulars were able to get a glimpse of the over 20,000 personalized bricks that help make up the Plaza since construction began in September, the cornerstone of the Habs' shrine was finally unveiled - four majestic statues honoring the greatest players in Canadiens history: Howie Morenz, Maurice Richard, Jean Beliveau and Guy Lafleur. “I feel lucky to be in the company of these three great players,” admitted a humbled Lafleur. “When I first |
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| started playing hockey, I never would have imagined one day having a statue in my honor in front of the home of the Canadiens. The statue is really impressive. The artist [Marc-Andre Fortier] did a great job.”
See the photos at the Canadien's web site. |
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Newsletter #157 |
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Throughout the Centennial year, the Mint will offer coins and gifts available to all Canadians. Available now are collectibles and gift ideas from the Mint's annual line-up of NHL(C) collector products, including Montreal Canadiens commemorative coin sets, hockey coin pucks, mini-stick and mini-puck sets featuring special-edition one dollar coins, and sterling silver goalie mask coins. Contact All Nations for their availability.| Home - Info - Auction - Sales - Appraisal |
| All Nations Stamp & Coin
5630 Dunbar St. at 41st Ave. Phone: 604-684-4613 e-mail: collect@direct.ca |
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