With the Toronto Blue Jays back on the hunt for this year’s pennant, the Royal Canadian Mint has joined millions of fans in celebrating the 40th season of “Canada’s team” with a colourful new silver coin.
Issued on April 22 at Rogers Centre, where more than 34,000 fans gathered for the Jays’ home game against the Oakland Athletics (the As eventually won 8-5), the 99.99 per cent pure silver coin combines “skilful engraving” and “vibrant colour” with a design by Canadian artist Joel Kimmel. A red and blue wave inspired by the team’s colours flows behind the silhouette of a player with the tell-tale stance of a homerun hitter, who’s also flanked by the team’s official logo. A large engraved “40” commemorates four decades of play since Toronto was granted its MLB franchise in 1976. The coin has a limited mintage of 40,000 and retails for $99.95 Cdn.
“As the Minister of Finance, I am very pleased that the Mint is commemorating the 40th season of Canada’s baseball team with this beautiful new coin,” said Finance Minister Bill Morneau. “As the MP for Toronto Centre, I am thrilled to be celebrating the rich history and achievements of my hometown baseball team. The Toronto Blue Jays have inspired generations of Torontonians and Canadians alike, from their inception in 1976, to their back-to-back World Series wins in 1992 and 1993, to their exhilarating season last year. On behalf of the Government of Canada, I congratulate the Toronto Blue Jays on this important milestone and wish them the best of luck this season. Go Jays Go!”
In recognition of the charitable efforts of the Toronto Blue Jays in producing social change for children and youth, the Royal Canadian Mint proudly donated $25,000 to Jays Care Foundation. From left: Royal Canadian Mint CEO Sandra Hanington, Minister of Finance Bill Morneau and Robert Witchel, Executive Director of Jays Care Foundation.
Mint President and CEO Sandra Hanington said the Crown corporation is “proud to celebrate” Canadian sports history through numismatics, which captures the “spirit of cheering on our favourite teams and athletes.”
“This new coin … is for all Canadians who love baseball and love the Blue Jays,” she added.
MINT DONATION
To recognize and support the Toronto Blue Jays in their charitable efforts to produce lasting social change for children and youth, the Mint also donated $25,000 to Jays Care Foundation.
“The support we’ve seen from fans across this country for the Blue Jays is incredible. We truly represent a nation,” said Anthony Partipilo, vice-president of marketing and merchandise for the Jays. “We’re honoured the Royal Canadian Mint has chosen to commemorate our 40th season and that all Canadians have the opportunity to be a part of the celebration.”