Royal Canadian Mint commemorates 90th anniversary of the end of the First World War with brilliant red poppy circulation coin
Poppy coin bookmark to benefit the Royal Canadian Legion's Dominion
Command Poppy Trust Fund
OTTAWA, Oct. 27 /CNW Telbec/ - On the eve of Remembrance Day
commemorations and the 90th anniversary of the Armistice, the Royal Canadian
Mint, in association with the Royal Canadian Legion, is proud to issue its
latest coloured circulation coin which features the iconic red poppy, Canada's
flower of remembrance.
The Mint will produce up to 11 million 25-cent coloured poppy coins,
which will enter into circulation beginning today and will be distributed
exclusively at Shoppers Drug Mart/Pharmaprix locations from coast to coast.
Canadians are also encouraged to look for this special coin in their change.
"Through this unique circulation coin, the Royal Canadian Mint is keeping
alive the memory of all Canadian veterans who served their country with such
distinction," said Ian E. Bennett, President and CEO of the Royal Canadian
Mint. "Mint employees are honoured to pay tribute to those who have bravely
fought for our freedom, particularly on the eve of such a significant
anniversary."
"The Royal Canadian Legion is extremely pleased that the Royal Canadian
Mint has honoured our veterans with the production of this very special poppy
coin," said Mr. Wilfred Edmond, Dominion President of the Royal Canadian
Legion.
"Shoppers Drug Mart is honoured to be a part of the circulation of this
commemorative coin that recognizes the valour and courage of those Canadians
who served in the First World War," said Tammy Smitham, Director,
Communications & Corporate Affairs, Shoppers Drug Mart. "In partnership with
the Royal Canadian Legion, our Pharmacist-owned stores will also be a
distribution point for poppies during the Remembrance period to raise further
awareness and funds for our Veterans."
Between 1914 and 1918 over 650,000 Canadian men and women fought to
protect the peace and freedom our country enjoys today. Of those, more than
66,000 gave their lives and another 170,000 would be wounded.
Lieutenant-Colonel John McCrae, a Canadian medical officer during the First
World War, was responsible more than any other for the adoption of the poppy
as a symbol of remembrance in Canada and the Commonwealth. McCrae was also the
author of the famous war memorial poem In Flanders Fields.
The 25-cent poppy coin marks the third coloured circulation coin to be
produced by the Mint and distributed in Canada, following the 2004 red poppy
coin which honoured those who made the ultimate sacrifice to defend Canada's
freedom and the 2006 pink ribbon coin which raised awareness for the fight
against breast cancer.
In addition to the circulation coin, the Royal Canadian Mint is proud to
offer three commemorative keepsakes to mark the 90th anniversary of the
Armistice:
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- The 2008 limited edition poppy bookmark featuring a 2008 25-cent
coloured poppy circulation coin ($12.95). One dollar from the sale of
each bookmark will be donated to the Legion's Dominion Command Poppy
Trust Fund, which provides financial aid to Canada's veterans and
their dependants;
- The 90th anniversary of the end of the First World War commemorative
set includes a 2008 25-cent uncirculated coin depicting the Tomb of
the Unknown Soldier at the National War Memorial in Ottawa. Three
soldiers representing Canada's land, sea and air forces stand in
tribute. The set also includes the 25-cent poppy circulation coin
($24.95 CDN);
- and The limited edition poppy proof silver dollar featuring a finely
sculpted poppy in ultra- high relief ($139.95 CDN).
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These products are available directly from the Mint's 2008 poppy website
at
www.mint.ca/poppy or by calling 1-800-267-1871 in Canada or 1-800-268-6468
in the US. The coins are also available from the Mint's global network of
dealers and distributors.
The Royal Canadian Mint, which is celebrating its centennial in 2008, is
an ISO 9001-2000 certified company and the Crown corporation responsible for
the minting and distribution of Canada's circulation coins. In operation since
1908, the Mint is recognized as 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
RCM, its products and services, visit
www.mint.ca.
Images and product details of the Mint's newest collection are available
by visiting
ftp://communications:RCM2007@ftp.mint.ca.
To locate a Shoppers Drug Mart/Pharmaprix location near you, please visit
www.shoppersdrugmart.ca. For more information on the Royal Canadian Legion,
please log on to
www.legion.ca.
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/NOTE TO PHOTO EDITORS: A photo accompanying this release is available on
the CNW Photo Network and archived at
http://photos.newswire.ca.
Additional archived images are also available on the CNW Photo Archive
website at
http://photos.newswire.ca. Images are free to accredited
members of the media/
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For further information: media are invited to contact: Christine Aquino,
Director, Communications, Royal Canadian Mint, (613) 993-9999,
aquino@mint.ca;
Bob Butt, Director, Communications, Royal Canadian Legion, (613) 591-3335,
bbutt@legion.ca; Tammy Smitham, Director, Communications & Corporate
Affairs, Shoppers Drug Mart, (416) 490-2892,
tsmitham@shoppersdrugmart.ca
Photo
A member of the Governor General's Foot Guards, displays a new 2008 25-cent coloured poppy circulation coin commemorating the 90th anniversary of the end of the First World War. Eleven million of these coins enter into circulation today and are available at Shoppers Drug Mart/Pharmaprix locations across Canada. (CNW Group/Royal Canadian Mint)