Royal Canadian Mint

Our day started with a fascinating tour of the Royal Canadian Mint.  There are only two mints in Canada and only the one in Winnipeg produces the coins that are in circulation. In 1968 the Royal Canadian Mint in Ottawa couldn’t keep up with the demand for circulated coins.  The Winnipeg Mint was opened in 1976 and has produced coins in circulation  for 77 countries. They also produce some the blanks for the mints in the USA, but never actually prioduce US coins.  The mints in the USA, on the other hand, only print coins and currency for the United States.

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In 1908 - the first Canadian coin minted was the 50 cent piece

1984 - the last circulated coins were minted in Ottawa

1987 - the last $1.00 note is printed and replaced by the $1.00 coin named the “loonie.”

1996 - the $2.00 note was replaced by the $2.00 coin called the “tooie” - a coin made from two different metals.

2004 - the Mint becomes the first in the world to produce a colored circulation coin with the popular red Poppy coin.

2012- the last Canadian one-cent circulation coin is stuck.  Distribution of Canada’s penny ends February 4, 2013.

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This parade of flags is in honor of the Royal Canadian Mint’s many international customers.

2021 08 commemorative circulation coins

Canadian colored coins in circulation

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In 2017 the first  glow-in-the-dark coin was entered into circulation, The CA $2 “toonie” features a view of the blue-green aurora borealis above two canoeists paddling along a tree-lined lake. In the dark, the special ink used to produce the image illuminates the northern lights.

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New coins minted in 2024 featuring King Charles.

 

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The newest coin - the Tom Hatfield Canadian Loonie!

Manitoba Legislature Building

 

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TRIP STATISTICS:

  • Miles driven in the car today: 58
  • Total miles driven in car and RV: 2,467
  • Winnipeg West KOA Campground $43.91.  The average cost has been 39.66 per night.
  • Groceries and food:  $339.37  for an average of $25.96 per day
  • Last gas cost $3.14 a gallon . Our total is now $878.74 which has  averaged $58.46 per day.  Today’s average is .36 a mile