Canada's Black Loyalists Honoured on Royal Canadian Mint's New Silver Coin Celebrating Black History
PR87909
OTTAWA, ON, Feb. 3, 2021 /PRNewswire=KYODO JBN/ --
The Mint is proud to launch a new silver collector coin honouring the Black
Loyalists. Mint engravers meticulously reproduced the armorial bearings of the
Black Loyalist Heritage Society as a tribute to the free and enslaved Black
people who re-settled to British North America before, during and after the
American War of Independence. Many slaves were offered freedom in exchange for
joining the British side during the war. After laying down new roots in Lower
Canada and the Maritime Provinces, the struggles and achievements of the Black
Loyalists and their descendants are an important part of Canadian history, told
on a coin available as of today.
Photo -
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"The Mint prides itself in crafting coins that pay tribute to Canada's history,
culture and values. That includes celebrating our diversity and acknowledging
the difficult chapters of our history," said Marie Lemay, President and CEO of
the Royal Canadian Mint. "We are proud to be issuing our third coin
commemorating black history by recognizing the influential role Black Loyalists
played in shaping the diverse country we know and love today."
Black Loyalists faced many hardships and the promise of a better life went
unfulfilled. Those who remained in British North America despite the adversity,
helped re-define Canada's history and character. Today, the descendants of
Black Loyalists can lay claim to an extraordinary legacy of courage and
perseverance.
"Black Loyalists and their descendants have helped shape communities from coast
to coast to coast from well before this land was even called Canada, and their
legacy inspires us to build an even better and consciously more inclusive
country," said the Honourable Bardish Chagger, Minister of Diversity and
Inclusion and Youth. "As we celebrate Black History Month, we recognize the
struggles and obstacles that Black communities in Canada have had to overcome
and continue to face, and we acknowledge and celebrate the enormous
contributions they continue to make to the growth, well-being, and prosperity
of this country."
The coin's reverse features the armorial bearings of the Black Loyalist
Heritage Society granted in 2006 by the Canadian Heraldic Authority and
designed by Darrel E. Kennedy, Assiniboine Herald.
"As a Black Loyalist descendant, I am proud to say that my ancestors were some
of the 3,500 people of African descent who came to Canada in 1783, carrying
with pride their Certificate of Freedom," said Cynthia Dorrington, Site Manager
of the Black Loyalist Heritage Centre. "They settled across Lower Canada, all
with the hope of creating a better life for their families. Our rich history
has been foundational in shaping Canada's collective history and we are
delighted to share it further on a beautiful silver coin."
On the shield, three Loyalist civil coronets represent the non-combatants who
fled to British North America (Canada), while the ship's wheel represents both
the past (the ships landing in 1783) and the present (the Society's focus on
community development). The lion supporters symbolize the pride of Africa and
the courage demonstrated by those who sought a better life in Nova Scotia.
Beneath the shield, the province is represented by its official floral emblem,
the mayflower, while the rock symbolizes the landings near Birchtown, Nova
Scotia. The anchor in the crest honours the sacrifices of the families who
undertook the journey, which is represented by the footprints in the mantling.
The motto "THE HEART OF YOUR KNOWLEDGE IS IN YOUR ROOTS" speaks to the Society
members' interest in their heritage. The armorial bearings are also flanked by
maple leaves.
The obverse features a repeating maple leaf field pattern and the effigy of Her
Majesty Queen Elizabeth II by Susanna Blunt.
Limited to a mintage of 5,500, the 2021 $20 Fine Silver Coin Commemorating
Black History: The Black Loyalists retails for $99.95. This new collectible 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 at www.mint.ca.
Images of this coin are available here (
).
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 (
), Facebook (
) and Instagram (
).
For more information, media are asked to contact: Alex Reeves, Senior Manager,
Public Affairs, Telephone: +1 613-884-6370, reeves@mint.ca
SOURCE Royal Canadian Mint (RCM)
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