The Royal Canadian Mint has raised more than $1 million for humanitarian relief in war-torn Ukraine.
Following Russia’s renewed invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, the Mint began donating all net cash proceeds from its Pysanka-themed collector coins to humanitarian relief for Ukrainians impacted by the war. Months later, the Canadian government asked the Mint to do the same with its 2022 Summit Series and 2023 Pysanka collectibles. The more than $1 million donated to date is earmarked for relief efforts led by the Red Cross Ukraine Humanitarian Crisis Appeal and the Ukrainian Humanitarian Appeal.
“When Putin launched his illegal and full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Canada immediately responded, alongside our allies, by sanctioning Russia and Belarus and providing Ukraine with the economic, military and humanitarian support it needs to defend its sovereignty and democracy,” said Chrystia Freeland, Canada’s deputy prime minister and finance minister. “Across Canada, citizens, community groups, and businesses have supported Canada’s efforts to help the people of Ukraine in their fight for their lives, their country, and democracy.”
Coins from the 2022 Summit Series set remain available, with net proceeds going to Ukrainian humanitarian relief efforts.
The Mint made its donation from the net cash proceeds of the following collector products:
- the 2022 and 2023 $20 silver Pysanka coins;
- the 2022 and 2023 $250 gold Pysanka coins;
- the 2022 $2 Summit Series colourized special wrap roll;
- the 2022 Summit Series special wrap roll set;
- the 2022 two-ounce silver Summit Series coin; and
- the 2022 $200 Summit Series gold coin.
The 2022 and 2023 Pysanka coins are sold out while the Summit Series collectibles remain available.
“Canada is home to the world’s second-largest Ukrainian diaspora, and for years, the Mint has proudly honoured their rich cultural heritage through a best-selling series of Pysanka-themed collector coins,” said Marie Lemay, the Mint’s president and CEO. “When Ukraine was invaded last year, the Mint promptly made the decision to make a donation through the sale of its Pysanka-themed coins and gladly accepted the Government of Canada’s request to do the same with the 2022 Summit Series and 2023 Pysanka collectible coins.”