PR85372

OTTAWA, Ontario, Sept. 2, 2020 /PRNewswire=KYODO JBN/ --

The Royal Canadian Mint is proud to launch a $2 circulation coin celebrating

the 75th anniversary of the end of the Second World War and the Canadians who

defeated enemies of freedom after six long years of service on the battlefield

and on the home front. Symbolic of that heroic accomplishment, a "V" for

Victory figures prominently on this new commemorative coin unveiled today on

the Mint's YouTube channel (https://c212.net/c/link/?t=0&l=en&o=2905599-1&h=1758615826&u=https%3A%2F%2Fyoutu.be%2F3q_G6y5b9jE&a=YouTube+channel ).  

Photo -

https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1247253/Royal_Canadian_Mint_Royal_Canadian_Mint__2_circulation_coin_cele.jpg 

"For nearly six years, Canadians serving in uniform or chipping in at home

played a vital role in achieving a hard-won peace," said Lawrence MacAulay,

Minister of Veterans Affairs and Associate Minister of National Defence. "The

Royal Canadian Mint's circulation coin issued on the 75th anniversary of the

end of the Second World War is a fitting tribute to their legacy of bravery, of

service, and of tremendous sacrifice. They have our enduring thanks, and I hope

we can all live up to that legacy as this coin changes hands from one

generation to the next."

"The Royal Canadian Mint's tradition of honouring our troops through coins goes

all the way back to 1943, when Chief Engraver Thomas Shingles created the first

Victory Nickel that called on all Canadians to work together to win the Second

World War," said Marie Lemay, the Mint's President and CEO.  "Today, that

inspirational message has found a new home on a special $2 commemorative

circulation coin that is a proud 75th anniversary salute to every Canadian who

played a role in ending this historic conflict."

The $2 circulation coin commemorating the 75th anniversary of the end of the

Second World War is inspired by the 1943-45 Victory Nickels designed by Thomas

Shingles. The "V" for Victory on the inner core of the new toonie was, at the

time, a rallying call to support the war effort from coast to coast to coast.

The letter is overlaid with a flaming torch and flanked by maple leaves over

the dates 1945 and 2020.  

The words VICTORY and VICTOIRE appear on the outer ring, as does a message

engraved in Morse code. "We win when we work willingly" and "La bonne volonte

est gage de victoire" first appeared on wartime Victory Nickels. The obverse

features the effigy of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth, designed by Canadian artist

Susanna Blunt in 2003.

Limited to a mintage of three million coins, two million will feature colour.

The new $2 coin is now entering general circulation. Canadians will find it in

their change as bank branches and businesses replenish their inventories of $2 coins.

Veterans of the Second World War, residing at the Perley and Rideau Veterans'

Health Centre in Ottawa, also shared their thoughts on the 75th anniversary of

the end of hostilities:

Betty Bell (Royal Canadian Air Force, Women's Division, Air Woman Grade 1)

"I was in London, England, when victory was declared and the city erupted in

one huge celebration.  The crowd danced and sang in the streets of Piccadilly

and Trafalgar Square.  Servicemen were sitting on top of lamp posts above the

cheering crowd.  Victory had been won at a price, but now Europe was free and

the lights were on again.  No more blackout, no more bombs."

John A. Commerford (Canadian Army, Artillery Gunner)

"I felt a great sense of relief and appreciation for still being alive."

Carl Reiser (Royal Canadian Air Force, Flying Officer)

"I was happy to be going home."

The Mint is adding to this historic commemoration by offering related collector

products.  There are 15,000 coloured and 5,000 uncoloured limited-edition

special wrap rolls of 25 uncirculated coins each, retailing for $79.95.

Customers may also purchase a collector keepsake set featuring both versions of

the commemorative circulation coin, packaged with uncirculated versions of our

2020 classic circulation coins (5-cent to $1).  It retails for $22.95 and its

mintage is set at 100,000.

These collectibles may be ordered as of today by contacting the Mint at

1-800-267-1871 in Canada, 1-800-268-6468 in the US, or online at

www.mint.ca/victory.They are also available at the Royal Canadian Mint's

Winnipeg boutique, as well as through the Mint's global network of dealers and

distributors, including participating Canada Post outlets.

About the Royal Canadian Mint

The Royal Canadian Mint is the Crown corporation responsible for the minting

and distribution of Canada's circulation coins. The Mint is one of the largest

and most versatile mints in the world, offering a wide range of specialized,

high quality coinage products and related services on an international scale.

For more information on the Mint, its products and services, visit www.mint.ca.  

Follow the Mint on Twitter (https://c212.net/c/link/?t=0&l=en&o=2905599-1&h=3056742945&u=https%3A%2F%2Ftwitter.com%2FCanadianMint&a=Twitter ),

Facebook (https://c212.net/c/link/?t=0&l=en&o=2905599-1&h=3583753982&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FCanadianMint%2F&a=Facebook )

and Instagram (https://c212.net/c/link/?t=0&l=en&o=2905599-1&h=901819071&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.instagram.com%2Fcanadianmint%2F&a=Instagram ).

Images of the circulation coin and collector products are available here

(https://c212.net/c/link/?t=0&l=en&o=2905599-1&h=3388193923&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.dropbox.com%2Fsh%2Filjcqi3lf693mwg%2FAAAdq1JtDDtzpTmWykxO7Kxsa%3Fdl%3D0&a=here ).

Contact: Alex Reeves, Senior Manager, Public Affairs, Telephone:

+1-613-884-6370, reeves@mint.ca

SOURCE  Royal Canadian Mint (RCM)