According to a recent order published in the Canada Gazette, the Royal Canadian Mint will be issued a commemorative $1 circulation coin to mark the 100th anniversary of the Toronto Maple Leafs.
The order authorizes the Mint to produce a $1 coin depicting the Leafs’ current logo alongside the years “1917” on the left and “2017” on the right. Above the logo will be two crossed hockey sticks: one stick used in the team’s early years and another stuck used today. On the coin’s outer ring are 100 engraved dots to highlight the team’s 100 years.
“These coins will celebrate an iconic team that connects many Canadians to their passion for hockey and serve as tangible keepsakes of Canada’s history,” reads the order.
The Toronto Maple Leafs finished fourth in their division last year and made the playoffs for the first time since the 2012-13 season. They eventually fell to the Washington Capitals in the first round of the playoffs. The series was only the third NHL playoff series in which five games were decided in overtime.
The Leafs will begin their 2017-18 season in Winnipeg against the Jets on Oct. 4.
JUNE 22 ORDER
On the recommendation of Finance Minister Bill Morneau, Governor General David Johnston authorized the issue of a $1 circulation coin, the diameter of which is to be 26.5 mm. The design of the coin is to be as follows:
- the obverse impression is to depict the effigy of Queen Elizabeth II by Susanna Blunt, with the initials “SB” on the bottom left-hand corner of the neckline, the inscriptions “ELIZABETH II” and “D G REGINA” to the left and right of the effigy, respectively, and with beading around the circumference of the coin; and
- the reverse impression is to depict the logo of the Toronto Maple Leafs. Appearing to the right of the logo are two crossed hockey sticks above the logo, one stick used in the team’s early years and the other in the team’s modern years, the inscriptions “1917” to the left and “2017” to the right, a lasermark maple leaf within a maple leaf within a circle above the design, the inscriptions “CANADA” and “DOLLAR,” at the top to the left and to right of a hockey puck, respectively, below which is a semi-circle, the artist’s initials “SR” to the right of the design, and with beading around the circumference of the coin.
HIGH DEMAND
Because these coins are available at face value and circulate widely, public demand is high and many coins are taken out of circulation and collected, according to the Mint. The coins will be distributed through financial institutions with a portion reserved for RCM-hosted coin exchanges around the country.