News Releases

A penny for your thoughts... New stamp celebrates the Royal Canadian Mint's centenary

June 4, 2008

Canada Post today issued a domestic rate stamp in celebration of the Royal Canadian Mint's centennial.

Headquartered in the nation's capital, the Royal Canadian Mint (RCM) is among the largest and most elaborate minting operations in the world. Though originally established to produce domestic coinage, the Mint's reputation for innovative designs and detailed craftsmanship soon attracted an international market. Today, the RCM is at the forefront of currency innovation, producing all Canadian coins and those for many other countries, as well as a range of collectables that celebrate the many diverse aspects of Canada's vibrant culture.

The stamp features the 50-cent piece featuring a crown and a border of maple leaves; which was Canada's first domestically-produced coin. At 29 mm in circumference, the coin is represented in its actual size. "The first coin struck in Canada seemed like the best visual element to symbolically represent the Royal Canadian Mint's 100^th anniversary," explains graphic designer Stéphane Huot. Sophisticated techniques were used in the design, such as embossing and micro-embossing. These methods showcase the delicacy and precision that goes into the execution of the RCM's collective coins; they also create a 3-D quality."We believe this unique design will appeal to both stamp and coin collectors alike," said Huot.

"We did everything we could to give the impression that a coin is actually on the stamp", said Alain Leduc, Stamp Design and Production at Canada Post "I honestly think we were successful in achieving this effect. Look for yourself!"

The 52-cent stamps measure 34 mm x 45 mm (vertical) with 13+ perforations. Lowe-Martin printed 2 million stamps which will be sold in panes of 16 stamps. The P.V.A. gum stamps will be printed on Tullis Russel paper using lithography in six colours and embossing. They are general tagged on all sides. The Official First Day Cover will read OTTAWA ON.

Additional information about Canadian stamps can be found in the Newsroom section of Canada Post's website, and photos of these new stamps are in the Newsroom's Photo Centre. Stamps and Official First Day Covers will be available at participating post offices, or can be ordered online by following the links at Canada Post's website www.canadapost.ca, or by mail order from the National Philatelic Centre. From Canada and the USA, call toll-free: 1 800 565-4362, and from other countries, call: 902 863-6550.