The Royal Canadian Mint is paying tribute to all Canadian Olympic and Paralympic athletes competing in the upcoming Rio 2016 Summer Games by launching the 2016 Lucky Loonie, Canada’s latest commemorative circulation coin.
“The Rio 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games will be another chapter in our country’s rich sporting history and the Government of Canada is delighted that the Royal Canadian Mint has issued the 2016 Lucky Loonie to capture all the pride and excitement of the Games,” said Finance Minister Bill Morneau. “The growing tradition of the Lucky Loonie is a great way for Canadians to show our athletes that there is a 35 million-strong team cheering them on in Rio”.
In what’s now earned a legendary spot in Canadian sports history, a Loonie was buried at centre ice prior to the 2002 Olympic Winter Games in Salt Lake City to bring good luck to Canada’s gold medal-winning men’s and women’s ice hockey teams. The Mint has since produced a Lucky Loonie circulation coin for each subsequent Games. Each member of the Canadian team will receive a 2016 Lucky Loonie upon their arrival in Rio.
The reverse side of the circulation coin shows the image of a common loon on the water, poised for take-off with its arched body and outstretched wings. The addition of a stylized maple leaf in the background symbolizes Canadian pride. Designed by Ontario artist Derek Wicks, the coin also features the Canadian Olympic and Paralympic Team logos.
Five million 2016-dated Lucky Loonies have been produced and are entering into circulation as of July 1. Canadians are encouraged to look for the coin in their change or visit mint.ca/luckyloonie to order a pack of five uncirculated Lucky Loonies (while quantities last).
“The 2016 Lucky Loonie is a wonderful keepsake that will circulate to millions of Canadians to celebrate the achievements of our athletes competing at the Rio Olympic and Paralympic Summer Games,” said Sandra Hanington, Mint president and CEO. “By collecting this special circulation coin, Canadians can express their own pride in Canada’s Olympic and Paralympic Teams, and capture the memory of Canada at the Rio 2016 Games.”
Canadians can also purchase the following Lucky Loonie-themed items:
- the 2016 $1 special wrap roll, limited to 52,000 rolls of 25 coins;
- the pure silver coin – Lucky Loonie – with coloured Canadian Olympic and Paralympic Team logos; and
- the limited-edition Proof silver dollar – Celebrating Canadian Athletes – featuring a montage of Olympic and Paralympic Team athletes in action designed by Three Degrees Creative Group.