The Lucky Loonie Gets Minted

In time for the Beijing 2008 Games, the Royal Canadian Mint has brought back the Lucky Loonie — a special edition of the familiar one dollar coin featuring a Canadian loon landing on the water.  

The Royal Canadian Mint — an official supporter of the Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games — has provided each member of the Beijing-bound Canadian Olympic and Paralympic teams with a Lucky Loonie. The Mint is also inviting Canadians to visit mint.ca/goodluck to share their personal stories of good luck and for a chance to win a one-ounce 2008 gold maple leaf coin and other Royal Canadian Mint Olympic-themed keepsakes. 

“Canadians from coast to coast can wish our athletes luck by giving athletes special coins produced by the Royal Canadian Mint, including the 2008 Lucky Loonie,” said Ian E. Bennett, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Royal Canadian Mint. 

Designed by Quebec wildlife artist Jean-Luc Grondin, the Lucky Loonies are distributed exclusively by RBC Royal Bank, a premier national partner of the 2010 Winter Games . Ten million of the 2008 Lucky Loonies have been issued and are now available at RBC branches across Canada.

Canadian coin exchange

As some 2008 Lucky Loonies make their way into circulation this month, there’s a chance of finding the unique loonie among one’s pocket change. The public are also invited to attend one of several coin exchanges being held at various RBC branches on July 29, 2008 from 11:30 am to 1:30 pm, including:

·         Vancouver, BC – Royal Centre Branch, 1025 West Georgia Street

·         Montreal, QC – Place Ville Marie Branch, 1 Place Marie

·         Halifax, NS – Clayton Park Branch, 271 Lacewood Drive

Coin exchanges will also be held during regular business hours at Royal Canadian Mint boutiques in Ottawa and Winnipeg from July 25 to 27, 2008.

Royal Canadian Mint Vancouver 2010 commemorative coin program 

The Mint is undertaking one of the most extensive Olympic and Paralympic Games circulation coin programs. During the three-year program, the Mint will put 17 Olympic and Paralympic-themed coins into circulation in Canada. Thirty-six limited mintage collector coins and sets will also become available as Vancouver 2010 nears.

For release dates of these special-edition coins, visit mint.ca.