At a special ceremony held today aboard HMCS Sackville, the last of 123 Canadian corvettes to sail in the Second World War, the Royal Canadian Mint unveiled a new $2 circulation coin commemorating the 75th anniversary of the Battle of the Atlantic.
The coin, which was revealed before guests including veterans of the Battle of the Atlantic, has begun circulating today, so Canadians can now start looking for it in their change.
“The Government of Canada is proud that the Mint is issuing a circulation coin which recognizes that 75 years ago, Canada emerged as a leader in the Battle of the Atlantic, to protect the shipping lanes essential to the Allied war effort and help ensure victory in the Second World War,” said Finance Minister Bill Morneau.
The coin was unveiled today among veterans of the Battle of the Atlantic.
“Through the honourable tradition of issuing remembrance-themed coins, the Mint is ensuring Canadians never forget that the peace and freedom they are privileged to enjoy today were hard-won by the service and sacrifice of our veterans.”
Mint President and CEO Sandra Hanington said the Crown corporation is “privileged to be able to use its coins to share the inspiring stories of our veterans’ selfless defense of our values.”
“On the 75th anniversary of a turning point for Canada in the Second World War, our new two-dollar circulation coin is giving millions of Canadians yet another story worth holding onto as we remember how our veterans, in the armed forces and the merchant navy, helped win the Battle of the Atlantic.”
The coin’s reverse (shown) was designed by Canadian maritime artist Yves Berube.
The coin’s reverse side features the artwork of Canadian maritime artist Yves Bérubé. It depicts the many crucial actors in Canada’s victory in the Battle of the Atlantic: an anti-aircraft gunman positioned on the deck of a Corvette; an Allied aircraft hunting enemy submarines; as well as a merchant ship whose vital cargo is protected by a nearby navy vessel on convoy duty.
Limited to a mintage of five million coins, this new $2 circulation coin will be available in general circulation as well as through public coin exchanges at the Mint’s Ottawa, Winnipeg and Vancouver boutiques, or through an online coin exchange at mint.ca/battleatlantic (limited to Canada only).