Pièce 1 once d'argent Hommage à la marque d'atelier W : Ours polaire 2023 | Monnaie royale canadienne

• *Coin #1 in the first pure silver numismatic series struck at the Winnipeg Mint.**

New from the Winnipeg Mint! The Tribute: W Mint Mark series celebrates Canada’s circulation coins and tells their story, beginning with our “youngest” circulation coin: the $2 piece, or Toonie.

Re-created in 99.99% pure silver with a tailored specimen finish and the “W” mint mark of the Winnipeg Mint, this all-silver tribute to Canada’s bi-metallic circulation coin features the beloved polar bear design that has appeared on hundreds of millions of $2 pieces since the coin denomination was introduced on February 19, 1996.

• *The first in a six-part series of 1 oz. 99.99% pure silver coins.**

• *“W” mint mark**

This is the first in a six-part series of 1 oz. 99.99% pure silver coins, a rarity for the Winnipeg Mint, which typically focuses its efforts on circulation coins rather than numismatic ones—and that’s why the “W” mint mark is so unique.

• *Tailored specimen finish**

The Toonie’s classic polar bear design features a satin sheen, while the field’s textured appearance is the result of angled lines inspired by the Winnipeg Mint’s pyramid-shaped building.

• *Special features**

From the Winnipeg Mint. You’ve never seen Canada’s circulation coin designs quite like this: in 99.99% pure silver with a tailored specimen finish, and bearing the “W” mint mark of the Winnipeg Mint.

• Celebrate Canada’s circulation coins. An affordable series for collectors of all ages, the new Tribute: W Mint Mark series celebrates Canada’s circulation coins and tells their story. This is the first pure silver numismatic series struck at our Winnipeg facility.
• Honouring history. These circulation coin designs are part of Canada’s history and our heritage, and who better to tell their story than the facility that produces them!
• The series begins in 2023. The series begins with Royal Canadian Mint tribute to the beloved Toonie, and there’s more to come:

• Coin 1: Polar Bear
• Coin 2: Loon
• Coin 3: Coat of Arms
• Coin 4: Caribou
• Coin 5: Bluenose
• Coin 6: Beaver

• *Collect them all!**

• Subscribe to the series. The six Tribute: W Mint Mark coins are available for individual purchase or with a series subscription that guarantees a complete set.
• Includes serialized certificate. The Royal Canadian Mint certifies all of its collector coins.
• No GST/HST.

• *Struck in Winnipeg: Canada’s $2 Coin**

Introduced on February 19, 1996 as a more durable and cost-effective replacement for the $2 banknote, the “Toonie” broke new ground as the first Canadian bimetallic circulation coin—an innovative feat made possible by a patented locking mechanism and a new striking process.

The Toonie’s iconic polar bear is instantly recognizable, but did you know it has a name? In 2006, we held a Name Our Polar Bear Contest, and “Churchill” was the first-place winner with 34% of the 166,635 votes cast. Fittingly, it’s a nod to the northern Manitoba community that is famous for polar bear watching. The runners-up in our naming contest were Wilbert (26%) and Plouf (15%).

• *Packaging**

Your coin is encapsulated and presented in a black Royal Canadian Mint-branded clamshell with a black beauty box.

• *“W” mint mark**

This is the first in a six-part series of 1 oz. 99.99% pure silver coins, a rarity for the Winnipeg Mint, which typically focuses its efforts on circulation coins rather than numismatic ones—and that’s why the “W” mint mark is so unique.

• *Tailored specimen finish**

The Toonie’s classic polar bear design features a satin sheen, while the field’s textured appearance is the result of angled lines inspired by the Winnipeg Mint’s pyramid-shaped building.

• *DID YOU KNOW?**

Canada’s $2 circulation coin is the only denomination that has been exclusively struck in Winnipeg from the start—and our facility can produce at a rate of 650 strikes per minute!

Thirty years—that’s the estimated life expectancy for a Toonie, while the old $2 paper banknote was expected to last just one year.

The 2022 $2 Commemorative Polar Bear coin was the first circulation coin to feature a black design feature.

A numismatic tribute to Canada’s $2 circulation piece, this all-silver coin features Brent Townsend’s classic “polar bear” design on its reverse. The centre portion shows an adult polar bear in early summer on an ice floe, while the circular frame bears the “W” (Winnipeg) mint mark. The obverse features the effigy of Queen Elizabeth II by Susanna Blunt. The obverse also bears a special marking that includes four pearls symbolizing the four effigies that have graced Canadian coins and the double date of her reign.

• *ABOUT THE ROYAL CANADIAN MINT**

The Royal Canadian Mint is known as one of the most reputable mints in the world. The Ottawa Branch of the Royal Mint opened in 1908 and was renamed The Royal Canadian Mint in 1931 when control was transferred to the Canadian government. The Royal Canadian Mint is renowned for producing some of the highest quality and purity of gold and silver bullion coins and bars in the world. Their high standards for excellence and quality allowed them to be the first refinery to manufacture 9999 fine gold bullion coins in 1982, as well as the first to reach 99999 fine gold purity in 1998.