Utilizați butonul de Translate din dreapta pagini pentru traducere.
Obverse of the 30th anniversary Canadian 2 dollar commemorative coin, featuring the portrait of King Charles III designed by Steven Rosati, accompanied by the commemorative dates 1996–2026.
Reverse side featuring Brent Townsend's classic polar bear design on an ice floe.
In 2026, the Royal Canadian Mint celebrates the 30th anniversary of one of the country's most iconic coins: the Canadian two-dollar coin, affectionately known as the Toonie. To mark this anniversary, the Mint is releasing a special edition for collectors, a tribute to three decades of history, technology, and national pride.
The story of the Toonie began on February 19, 1996, when the Canadian government replaced the two-dollar bill with a coin of the same value. The move, besides being economically practical, was a statement of modernity: coins have a much longer lifespan than banknotes, and Canada wanted to introduce an innovative, durable coin with its own distinct visual identity.
Its design was revolutionary for the time. It was a bimetallic coin, with a gold core and a silver outer ring, a symbol of durability and technological advancement. On the reverse, artist Brent Townsend depicted a solitary polar bear on an ice floe, an image that eventually became one of the country's most recognizable visual icons. The obverse featured the effigy of Queen Elizabeth II, marking the continuity of the monetary system within the Commonwealth tradition.
The nickname Toonie was born from the humor and inventiveness of the Canadian people themselves. Eight years earlier, in 1987, the one-dollar coin had been introduced, featuring the loon, a bird native to the country, on its reverse. That coin was nicknamed Loonie, from the English word " loon." When the new two-dollar coin appeared, Canadians began calling it Toonie, a play on words between "two" and "Loonie "—literally, "double the Loonie." What started as a popular nickname ended up becoming an official name, recognized even by the Mint itself. Today, no Canadian needs any explanation: Toonie is simply "the two-dollar coin."
For three decades, the Toonie has been a part of daily life in Canada and has evolved alongside the country. In 2012, its metal composition was changed to a lighter, safer, and more durable multi-layered steel structure. It has been featured in dozens of commemorative editions—dedicated to historical anniversaries, social causes, or natural symbols—becoming a kind of metallic canvas where Canada records its collective memory.
The 30th Anniversary Commemorative Edition
The Toonie 30th Anniversary Special Edition, issued in 2026, celebrates this historic journey with a design that blends respect for the past with a forward-looking perspective. It comes in an exclusive collector's format: Special Wrap Rolls, each containing twenty-five coins.
The obverse features, for the first time, the portrait of King Charles III, sculpted by Steven Rosati, symbolizing a new era in Canadian monetary history. On the reverse, Brent Townsend's classic polar bear returns in all its glory, accompanied by the dates 1996–2026 , marking three decades since the coin's introduction.
The set is minted with the "W" mint mark, corresponding to the Winnipeg plant where Canadian circulation coins are produced. The edition is limited to 30,000 rolls, reinforcing its exclusivity and potential numismatic value.
Beyond its appeal as a collector's item, this issue celebrates a country's history through its currency: a fusion of art, technique, and national identity.
Technical specifications of the commemorative coin
Feature Detail
Official name 30th Anniversary of the Toonie – Collector's Edition
Country Canada
Transmitter Royal Canadian Mint
Year 2026
Face value 2 Canadian dollars
Commemorative occasion 30th anniversary of the introduction of the 2 dollar coin (1996–2026)
Artists Obverse: Steven Rosati (portrait of King Charles III) • Reverse: Brent Townsend (polar bear)
Composition Inner core: aluminum-bronze plated • Outer ring: nickel-plated steel
Diameter 28 mm
Approximate weight 6.9 g
Type of singing Fluted
Quality No circulation
Mint mark “W” (Winnipeg)
Limited edition 30,000 rolls (25 coins per roll)
Presentation Special Wrap Roll
Circularity Not intended for general circulation
Commemorative design Double date “1996–2026” on the reverse, a tribute to the 30th anniversary
Sursa: Youtube Utilizator: Royal Canadian Mint
Thirty years after its introduction, the Toonie remains much more than a coin: it is a symbol of Canadian ingenuity, practicality, and shared identity. This 30th anniversary edition not only commemorates a significant milestone but also celebrates the connection between art, history, and everyday life. Its obverse depicts a new era under the reign of Charles III; its reverse, the timeless polar bear, recalls the origins of a nation that finds pride even in the smallest things.
The Toonie was born as a practical solution, but over time it has become a true gem of modern numismatics. And with this commemorative issue, its story enters, once again, the realm of legend.
Sursa informațiilor aici.
Niciun comentariu:
Trimiteți un comentariu