CALGARY,
July 19, 2012 /CNW/ - The Royal
Canadian Mint is proud to issue Canada's latest commemorative circulation
coin, the 2012 Lucky Loonie. The coin, which was unveiled
today at Canada's Sports Hall of
Fame, will serve as a good luck charm for Canadian athletes
competing in London at the 2012
Olympic and Paralympic Games.
"Our Government will soon join Canadians from
coast to coast to coast as they cheer on our athletes competing in
the London 2012 Olympic and
Paralympic Games," said Deepak
Obhrai, Member of Parliament for Calgary East. "The 2012 Lucky Loonie is yet
another way to demonstrate our pride in Team Canada's dedication
and hard work in training for these Games."
"Canada is once
again fielding a strong and skilled team for London and the Mint is proud to honour them
with a special coin that is a reflection of their talent and
commitment to being the best," said Ian E.
Bennett, President and CEO of the Royal Canadian Mint. "To
wish them luck as they represent Canada, each member of the Canadian team will
receive a Lucky Loonie upon their arrival in London."
In what is now a legendary tale, a Loonie was
buried at centre ice prior to the 2002 Olympic Winter Games in
Salt Lake City to bring good luck
to Canada's gold medal-winning
men's and women's hockey teams. The Mint has since produced a Lucky
Loonie circulation coin for each subsequent Games.
The 2012 Lucky Loonie circulation coin features
the iconic loon as it spreads its majestic wings while sitting on
rippling Canadian lake waters. Designed by artist Emily S. Damstra, the coin also features the
Canadian Olympic Team logo, in celebration and support of
Canada's athletes. Five
million 2012 Lucky Loonies have been produced and will enter into
circulation beginning today. Canadians are encouraged to look for
the coin in their change.
"I encourage all Canadians to show their support
by adding the 2012 Lucky Loonie to their collection of keepsake
coins," said Shelly Glover, Member
of Parliament for Saint
Boniface. "Join us in showing our athletes in
London how proud we are of them
and that we wish them the best of luck."
To learn more about the Lucky Loonie, please visit
www.mint.ca/luckyloonie.
About the Royal Canadian Mint
The Royal Canadian Mint is the Crown Corporation responsible for
the minting and distribution of Canada's circulation coins. An ISO
9001-2008 certified company, 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
Mint's history, its products and services, please visit
www.mint.ca.
Lucky Loonie images are available by visiting
ftp://communications:RCM2007@ftp.mint.ca.
SOURCE Royal Canadian Mint