Numismatic News 
RCM 2011 Annual Report
Tuesday, May 8, 2012
The 2011 Annual Report from the Royal Canadian Mint is now avalaible.
New $ 20 bills in polymer
Thursday, May 3, 2012
It will be next November that the new $ 20 bills in polymers will be distributed.
Visual changes
- Changing protrait of Queen
- Overleaf, Canadian memorial at Vimy, France
$ 5 and $ 10 bills will be available towards the end of 2013.
The new 1-dollar and 2 dollars coins
Wednesday, April 11, 2012
On April 10, 2012, the Royal Canadian Mint unveiled a new generation of one-dollar and two-dollar circulation coins. By combining several leading-edge security features along with its patented Multi-Ply Plated Steel technology, the Mint is producing more resistant, long-lasting coins as well as increased cost-efficiencies for the Government of Canada.
The New $1 Coin
Instead of traditional alloys, and like the new two-dollar circulation coins, Canada's new one-dollar circulation coins are manufactured using the same Multi-Ply Plated Steel technology found in our current 25-cent, 10-cent, 5-cent and 1-cent circulation coins This patented process covers a steel core with alternating layers of metals such as copper, nickel and brass.
While the new one-dollar circulation coin maintains the traditional "Loon" design, there is one visible change:
- A single laser mark of a maple leaf positioned within a circle on the coin's reverse – i.e. around the Loon design. This laser mark is produced during the striking of the coins using a contrasting pattern micro-engraved on the coin die itself.
- Specifications:
Diameter: 26.5mm
Edge Height: 1.95mm
Weight: 6.27g
Composition: Multi-ply brass plated steel
The New 2$ Coin
Like the new one-dollar circulation coins, Canada's new two-dollar circulation coins are manufactured using the Mint's Multi-Ply Plated Steel technology.
While the new two-dollar coin maintains the traditional "Polar Bear" design, there are three visible changes:
- The addition of two laser marks of maple leaves, each within a circle, at the bottom of the coin's reverse – i.e. on the side with the Polar Bear design.
- A virtual image of two maple leaves will appear at the top of the coin – a different image is produced as the coin is turned from side to side. The virtual image is produced by engraving different patterns on each side of two-sided grooves on the face of the coin.
- Edge-lettering of the words "CANADA" and "2 DOLLARS" are engraved along the coin's outer edge.
- Specifications:
Diameter: 28mm
Edge Height: 1.75mm
Weight: 6.92g
Composition:
Outer Ring –Multi-ply nickel plated steel
Insert –Multi-ply brass plated aluminum bronze
Source : Royal Canadian Mint
