Quality design and craftsmanship earns Royal Canadian Mint six nominations in Krause Publications' annual Coin of the Year awards

OTTAWA, Oct. 30, 2012 /CNW/ - The Royal Canadian Mint continues to stand out in the running for Krause Publications' annual Coin of the Year awards, after it received six nominations for awards to be presented next February at the 2013 World Money Fair in Berlin.  The Mint continues to earn a high number of nominations in this internationally-acclaimed awards program which celebrates the highest numismatic achievements for coins issued in 2011.

The Mint's outstanding collector coins lead a large field of international competitors by receiving six nominations in five different Coin of the Year categories, specifically: Best Gold Coin; Most Historically Significant Coin; Best Silver Coin; Most Artistic Coin and Most Inspirational Coin.

"The Royal Canadian Mint is delighted to once again figure prominently in the 2013 Coin of the Year awards, where the world's finest coins are showcased," said Ian E. Bennett, President and CEO of the Royal Canadian Mint. "Our employees are proud to continue to create world class coins which celebrate Canada's rich history, culture and values with collectors."

The Mint's 2013 Coin of the Year award nominations are:

Most Historically Significant Coin 
2011 Proof Silver Dollar - 100^th Anniversary of Parks Canada

For a century, Parks Canada has remained the dedicated steward and steadfast guardian of Canada's vast stores of magnificent natural treasures, maintaining them for the pleasure not only of Canadians, but of the world, and of generations to come.  The spirit of nature conservation which continues to propel this cherished Canadian institution is elegantly captured on the Mint's 2011 Silver Dollar. 

Best Gold Coin
2011 $200 1-oz 99.999% Pure Gold Coin - RCMP

The reverse of the 2011 99.999% pure gold bullion coin features a Royal Canadian Mounted Police officer riding a horse at full gallop, one of the most enduring symbols of Canada, in a classic 1997 design by former Master Engraver, Ago Aarand. 

Best Silver Coin
2011 $20 Pure Silver - Canoe

The design features a young person enjoying a recreational outing.  The boy breaks from paddling to dip his hand in the water…and touches the past - the reflection reveals an early native paddler (or voyageur) in a traditional birch-bark canoe as it also appears on the early silver dollar of 1935.  It tells a story of respecting our ancestry and sharing a love of this land.

Most Artistic Coin
2011 $5 Sterling Silver and Niobium Coin - Full Hunter's Moon

October is a month of falling leaves.  Its full moon is known as Travel Moon or Dying Moon, but its most common name is Hunter's Moon to reflect the fact that the animals are fattened for winter and it is time for hunters to build their provisions for the cold months ahead - a venture of patience and strength inspired by the ever-changing cycle of life.

Most Inspirational Coin
2011 $3 Fine Silver Coin - Family Scene (Mother and Child)

Life in the Arctic poses innumerable challenges, not least of which is keeping infants safe and warm from the unpredictable elements.  Although its style and decoration may vary between communities and its material has evolved away from traditional animal sources, the amauti, a parka designed to carry a young child, has changed little over the centuries.  It remains a common sight in Canada's Arctic to this day.

2011 1/10^th Ounce Gold Coin - 75^th Anniversary of Dr. Norman Bethune's Invention of the World's First Mobile Blood Transfusion Vehicle

Known as a celebrated surgeon and humanitarian, Dr. Bethune was also a medical innovator. During the 1930's, he began collecting and refrigerating blood from volunteer donors then delivering it via prototype ambulance to the front lines.  This vehicle and his team saved thousands of lives. His innovation is credited as the inspiration for the development of Mobile Army Surgical Hospital Units during the Korean War.

The annual Coin of the Year competition receives nominations from an international consortium of mint representatives and numismatists. The judging is conducted by an international panel of the world's leading mint officials, medalists, journalists, central bank and museum officials.  The awards will be presented in Berlin, Germany, at the 2013 World Money Fair, which is being held from February 1-3, 2013.

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, its products and services, visit www.mint.ca.

About Krause Publications
Krause Publications, based in Iola, Wisconsin, is the world's largest publisher of leisure-time periodicals and books. Today, Krause Publications, owned by F+W Media, offers more than 40 periodicals, 10 hobby shows, including the Chicago International Coin Fair and Chicago Paper Money Expo, 750 reference and how-to books, and web properties such as www.NumisMaster.com, and the online coin price database.

Images and details of the Mint's latest award nominees are available by visiting ftp://communications:[email protected] and www.mint.ca.

SOURCE: Royal Canadian Mint