September 21 is a significant, historic day for both stamp and coin collectors.
It was on this day in 1928 that Canada’s Post Office introduced the first government airmail stamp, a five-penny brown.
And, on this day in 1995, the Royal Canadian Mint issued the design of the first Canadian $2 pieces — featuring a Polar bear.
Canada Air mail stamps were issued between Sept. 21 1928 and Sept. 16 1946. Four Air Mail Special Delivery Stamps were also issued.
Many countries started issuing airmail stamps as transporting of mail by air started gaining popularity. Postal administrations charged a premium for Airmail service and so special airmail stamps were issued to cover the higher rate.
The first official airmail stamp was a five-cent brown. The first flights using the new stamp were made the next day on the Toronto-Ottawa-Montreal-Rimouski service.
Canada truly enters the airmail age with the inauguration of two runs: Pointe-au-Père/Montréal and Montréal/Toronto.
As for Canada’s Toonie, here’s a link to CBC’s report on the new $2 coin and reaction from Canadians.
Canada’s first $2 coin, which after the design release was called the Toonie, entered circulation in February, 1996.// //