Coins and Canada - 2 dollars 2023 - National Indigenous Peoples Day

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2 dollars 2023 - National Indigenous Peoples Day

By thecanadiannumismatist | Tuesday, 20 June 2023

The Royal Canadian Mint unveiled, on June 20 at the National Gallery of Canada in Ottawa, a 2 dollars circulation coin celebrating National Indigenous Peoples Day.

National Aboriginal Day, now National Indigenous Peoples Day, was announced in 1996. National Indigenous Peoples Day is part of the Celebrate Canada program, which also includes Saint-Jean-Baptiste Day on June 24, Canadian Multiculturalism Day on June 27 and Canada Day on July 1.

Many Indigenous groups and communities have celebrated their culture and heritage on June 21 or around that time of year because of the significance of the summer solstice as the longest day of the year.

Creating coins that tell diverse and inclusive stories is a priority for the Royal Canadian Mint the sharing of Indigenous stories is key to that effort. We are delighted that we could collaborate with First Nations, Inuit and Métis artists on a single circulation coin that will inspire millions to discover the wonderful knowledge and experiences that National Indigenous Peoples Day is meant to celebrate.

- Marie Lemay, President and CEO of the Royal Canadian Mint

The artwork appearing on the reverse of the 2023 $2 circulation coin celebrating National Indigenous Peoples Day is the creation of three women artists, each one representing the First Nations, Inuit and Métis communities residing in Canada. They are: Megan Currie, English River First Nation, Myrna Pokiak (Agnaviak), Inuvialuit Settlement Region and Jennine Krauchi, Red River Métis. It is the first time that multiple artists have collaborated on the design of a single Canadian coin.

Though each two-dollar coin is only 28 millimeters in diameter, this coin will have an immeasurable impact on Indigenous Peoples and other Canadians today and beyond. Congratulations to Myrna, Megan, and Jennine on making their indelible marks on Canadian history. At Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami, unity is the foundation of our work, and we hope that all Canadians can feel united with us on National Indigenous Peoples Day in celebrating these artists, our distinct cultures and histories, and our efforts in building better futures for our children.

- Natan Obed, President of Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami

Limited to a mintage of three million coins, of which two million will be coloured, this new $2 circulation coin will begin circulating on June 21, to correspond with National Indigenous Peoples Day. It will reach Canadians through their change as bank branches and businesses replenish their inventories of $2 coins.