The Royal Canadian Mint's sixth numismatic catalogue for 2017 celebrates key anniversaries, launches a couple of new series and features a few very attractive designs overall. So without any delay here are the commemorative coins from the Royal Canadian Mint for June 2017.
We kick things off with the highlight of the month : a special two coin set to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the Canadian one Dollar coin, simply referred to as the Loonie, owing to the common Loon that appears on the coin's reverse design.
Canada 2017 30th Anniversary of the Loonie, 2 Coin Silver Set
Interestingly enough this design was never intended for circulation, as the story goes the original dies for the voyageur designs, which were a mainstay on the Canadian silver dollar coin since the 1930's, were “lost in transit” and as a result the design was changed as the last minute to what we know and love today.
The proof coin set features one coin of the originally intended design as well as the eventual circulating coin design. Both are struck from pure .9999 Fineness silver and feature the dates “1987 – 2017” to indicate the 30th Anniversary of both the circulating coin and the original coin that never made it into circulation.
The two coin set has a total mintage of 10 000 and is being sold by the mint for $79.95 per set.
Canada 2017 30th Anniversary of the Loonie, 2 Coin Gold and Platinum Set
In addition to the pure silver two coin set there is also a limited edition gold coin set. This set featuring the same coins, only here they are struck from 1oz of pure .9999 Fineness gold, and treated with a delicate selective platinum gilding to both the obverse, reverse and the rim of the two proof quality coins.
The gold coin set only has 350 sets minted and were released by the mint at a price of $5 499.95 per set.
Canada 2017 150 Confederation Medal 10oz silver coin
Then the final coin in the Canadian Confederation Medals series was released this month, featuring the 150th anniversary of Canadian Confederation Medal design. These remarkable 10oz silver coins form a set of three proof coins with a limited mintage of only 1000 coins and were available to order for $899.95 per coin.
Canada 2017 Maple Leaves Forever Platinum Coin
The Royal Canadian Mint has now also released the 2017 version of the Maple Leaf Forever 1oz Platinum proof coin. While, in my opinion, the 2017 design of the coin is not as impressive as the 2016 version, the coin non-the-less manages to grab and hold your attention. With the reverse proof strike being treated with selective pink and yellow gold gilding to the leaves on the reverse of the coin.
At a mintage of only 250 coins these managed to sell out at the mint, even at a price of $3099.95 per coin.
Also, while on the topic of eye caching coins, the fourth coin in the Sculpture of Majestic Canadian Animals five coin series is also now available. This time around featuring the Bighorn Sheep.
Cananda 2017 Scukptures of Majestic Canadian Animals - Big Horn Sheep
This innovative proof coin measures 65mm(2.559 inch) in diameter and is struck from 10oz of pure .999 Fineness silver. The coin is then finished with selective fine gold plating to the sculpture part of the coin. At a limited mintage of 1200 coins these are selling fast at an asking price of $1099.95 each.
June also sees the launch of a new 3 coin series of colourized silver coins in the form of the Canada's Coasts series, with the launch coin representing Canada's pacific coastline.
Canada 2017 Canada's Coasts Pacific Coast Coin Reverse
The reverse design features an Orca whale swimming along British Columbia's scenic coastline. The mountainous wilderness in the background acts as a stunning canvas for the colourized maple leaf sunset shimmering on the rippling water of the pacific ocean. This crown sized 1oz silver coin has a mintage of 7500 coins, and is released at a price of $109.95 each.
The second coin in the Ancient Canada collection follows three month after the first coin depicting notable samples from the Canadian Fossil records, as curated by the Royal Tyrrell Museum of Palaeontology, in Alberta.
Canada 2017 Ancient Canada Coin
Notably this 1oz silver coin features a broadstruck design, treated with an antique finish and is shipped in an innovative clear display case. With a mintage of 5 500 coins the Mint is selling these at a price of $134.95 per coin.
The next coin in line is a new 2oz silver coin, measuring 50mm or just shy of 2 inches in diameter, that features a very attractive Zentangle design of the Canadian Great Grey Wolf.
Canada 2017 Zentangle design, Great Grey Wolf 2oz Silver Coin
This proof coin is struck from pure .9999 Fineness silver and carries a mintage of 4000 coins. Although a very attractive design, the asking price of $174.95 certainly isn't cheap by any means.
June also sees the release of the second coin in the new Canadian Honours Collection, that features colourized reproductions of Canadian medals on the reverse design. This coin is dedicated to the 45th Anniversary of The Order of Military Merit.
Canada 2017 Canadian Honours Order of Military Merit Coin
The Order of Military Merit is one of Canada's highest honours, awarded to those men and women whose dedication and commitment to their country go beyond the call of duty, and in a manner that embodies the Order's motto of "Service before self”.
This proof coin measures 40mm(1.5748 inches) in diameter and is struck from 1oz of pure .9999 Fineness silver.
This series is proving to be extremely popular and I won't expect the mintage of 5500 coins to last long at an asking price of $109.95 each.
Another new series to be launched this month is the first coin in a new three coin collection called : “Locomotives Across Canada”.
Canada 2017 Locomotives Across Canada 4-4-0 Coin Reverse
Each coin will depict a different iconic Locomotive that helped to shape the landscape and connect Canadians from different cultures over the countries 150 year history. The first coin in the series depicts the steam powered 4-4-0 locomotive, that was in use during the time of the Canadian Confederation in 1867.
Canada 2017 Locomotives Across Canada 3 Coin Set in Box
Each of these crown sized proof coins is struck from 1oz of pure .999 Fineness silver and treated with selective gold gilding to the rim as well as the featured locomotive on the coin. Available on the Royal Canadian Mint's subscription program at a price of $112.95 per coin, the set has a limited mintage of 7500 and is housed in a rather attractive specially embossed tin display box.
Another silver coin with selective gold gilding is the fourth instalment in the Alex Colville designs Big Coin Series. Commemorating the 50th anniversary of these classic Canadian coin designs on large 65.25mm(2.568 inch) diameter coins, struck from 5oz of pure 99.99% silver.
Canada 2017 Alex Colville Designs, Howling Wolf 50 cent Coin Reverse
This coin celebrates the Howling Wolf 50 cent coin and has a limited mintage of only 2150 coins. At an initial asking price of $559.95 per coin the previous coins in the series managed to sell out with ease.
The seventh coin in the Swarovski Crystals Zodiac Series is naturally dedicated to the sign of Cancer. With it's two Swarovski crystals representing this astrological sign, the coin is priced at $54.95 at a mintage of 5500.
The second of a planned three coins in the Under the Sea series is now available and is dedicated to the Sea Star.
Featuring sculpted glass embellishments that highlight the coin's theme and mimics the aquatic environment to which the series is dedicated.
At a mintage of 7500, these 1oz silver coins are being offered at a price of $151.95 each.
Another similarly unique piece is the “Mother Nature's Magnification : Beauty under the Sun” 1oz silver coin. The coin features a perfectly round magnification element that represents a fresh dewdrop, clinging to a springtime leaf.
$106.95 will secure you one of the 7500 proof coins minted with this design, from the Royal Canadian Mint.
The En Plain Air series also releases it's second coin this month, depicting a textured oil painting of a sailboat docket in a slip, the coin is called “Maritime Memories”.
Using groundbreaking new minting technology to reproduce the textured brush strokes of an oil painting by Canadian Artist Elizabeth Simms, on a 60mm or 2.36 inch coin, struck from 1oz of pure 9999's silver.
Limited to a mintage of 5500 coins the Maritime memories coin is available to order from the Royal Canadian Mint for $119.95 per coin.
Canada 2017 Birds Umongst Natures Colours - Purple Martin Coin
Filling out the Mint's subscription program is the ½ oz silver Birds Among Nature's Colours coin this month featuring the Purple Martin. At a mintage of 15 000, this five coin set is available at a price of $64.95 per coin, that includes a musical display box.
Canada 2017 Iceberg at Dawn, Canada 150 Coin
And finally the Celebrating Canada's 150th collection of ½ oz silver coins ships the Iceberg at Dawn coin. Only available on the Mint's subscription program – this 13 coin set has a mintage of 25 000 and is priced at $44.95 per coin.
Another busy month for the Royal Canadian Mint overall. All of the coins are available to order form the Royal Canadian Mint's website, while stock last.
