Canada: 2012 Lucky Loonie

[Bimat]

Royal Canadian Mint wishes Canada's athletes luck with the 2012 Lucky Loonie circulation coin

CALGARY, July 19, 2012 /CNW/ - The Royal Canadian Mint is proud to issue Canada's latest commemorative circulation coin, the 2012 Lucky Loonie.  The coin, which was unveiled today at Canada's Sports Hall of Fame, will serve as a good luck charm for Canadian athletes competing in London at the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

"Our Government will soon join Canadians from coast to coast to coast as they cheer on our athletes competing in the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games," said Deepak Obhrai, Member of Parliament for Calgary East. "The 2012 Lucky Loonie is yet another way to demonstrate our pride in Team Canada's dedication and hard work in training for these Games."

"Canada is once again fielding a strong and skilled team for London and the Mint is proud to honour them with a special coin that is a reflection of their talent and commitment to being the best," said Ian E. Bennett, President and CEO of the Royal Canadian Mint. "To wish them luck as they represent Canada, each member of the Canadian team will receive a Lucky Loonie upon their arrival in London."

In what is now a legendary tale, a Loonie was buried at centre ice prior to the 2002 Olympic Winter Games in Salt Lake City to bring good luck to Canada's gold medal-winning men's and women's hockey teams. The Mint has since produced a Lucky Loonie circulation coin for each subsequent Games.

The 2012 Lucky Loonie circulation coin features the iconic loon as it spreads its majestic wings while sitting on rippling Canadian lake waters. Designed by artist Emily S. Damstra, the coin also features the Canadian Olympic Team logo, in celebration and support of Canada's athletes.  Five million 2012 Lucky Loonies have been produced and will enter into circulation beginning today. Canadians are encouraged to look for the coin in their change.

"I encourage all Canadians to show their support by adding the 2012 Lucky Loonie to their collection of keepsake coins," said Shelly Glover, Member of Parliament for Saint Boniface.  "Join us in showing our athletes in London how proud we are of them and that we wish them the best of luck."

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Source

[Bimat]

More information and images are available on Royal Canadian Mint's website.

Aditya

[chrisild]

Nice idea, although I cannot keep track of all those Canadian coins. Ah well, the Canadian mint will ship to Canada only anyway ...

Christian

[quaziright]

I find this coin quite often in circulation. But the soft metal means that it gets quite dirty fairly easily