Commercialism vs Heroism

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Now that Franklin Mint is out of the business, the Canadian government has become one of the largest issuers of pseudo-coins at a speed that can best be characterized as a coin diarrhea. Canada undermines its own respectability by often using any fluffy pretext for issuing a piece. Not this time. The battle of Vimy ridge is a genuine First World War horror story that deserves to be commemorated. However, the character of this pseudo coin does not remind me of sacrifice and heroism but of crass commercialism. The more than 3500 Canadian victims deserve a real coin.

Peter


Launch of Commemorative Coin in Honour of the 90th Anniversary of the Battle of Vimy Ridge

April 5, 2007

Ottawa - The Honourable Greg Thompson, Minister of Veterans Affairs, was joined today by Ian E. Bennett, President and CEO of the Royal Canadian Mint and Joe Geurts, Director and CEO of the Canadian War Museum to unveil a new commemorative coin in honour of the Battle of Vimy Ridge. Members of the Veterans Affairs Canada (VAC) contingent were also in attendance for the unveiling at the Canadian War Museum, which served as a send-off for their journey to France to attend the 90th Anniversary of the Battle of Vimy Ridge events.

"I am delighted to take part in the unveiling of this new coin that will commemorate one of Canada's most defining moments in history ? the Battle of Vimy Ridge," said Minister Thompson. " Canadians can keep this coin to remember the sacrifices made by those brave Canadians who served in the First World War."

The Royal Canadian Mint will issue the coin on April 18, 2007. With a limited mintage of 15,000, the sterling silver coin has a face value of $30.00 and will sell for $79.95. The Mint has a history of striking coins in honour of Canada's military history. This coin is the third in a series of coins featuring National War Memorials.

" This coin is a solemn and elegant tribute to the heroic sacrifices our forefathers made at Vimy Ridge," said Ian E. Bennett, President and CEO of the Royal Canadian Mint. " Each of our sterling silver coins depicting Canada's national monuments to its war casualties are more than simple collectibles: they are a tribute to all the men and women who risked life and limb in the defence of Canada's values."

The Battle of Vimy Ridge began on April 9, 1917. It was there that the Canadians captured Vimy Ridge. This success came at a cost of more than 10,000 casualties, of which 3,598 were fatal.]battle of Vimy ridge[/url] is a genuine First World War horror story that deserves to be commemorated. However, the character of this pseudo coin does not remind me of sacrifice and heroism but of crass commercialism. The more than 3500 Canadian victims deserve a real coin.

Peter