The Royal Canadian Mint is proud to launch a $2 circulation coin honouring the brave Canadians who, landing in Normandy, France 75 years ago, helped establish the Allied foothold that would lead to the liberation of Western Europe. This coin was unveiled today at the Moncton Garrison, home to the 37 Brigade of the North Shore Regiment (New Brunswick) whose troops were among the 13 Canadian regiments landing at Juno Beach on June 6, 1944.
Designed by Canadian artist Alan Daniel, the reverse of this coin conveys the anticipation of Canadian soldiers approaching Juno Beach, Normandy on June 6, 1944. A compelling perspective at the core of the coin shows three soldiers peering from their landing craft. On the outer ring, engravings of ships and aircraft illustrate the massive air and naval operation which supported the troops taking part in the largest seaborne invasion in military history. D-DAY/LE JOUR J is engraved above the soldiers’ helmets.
At the bottom, the words REMEMBER/SOUVENIR appear on either side of the coin’s 2019 date. The obverse features the effigy of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth, designed by Canadian artist Susanna Blunt in 2003.
Limited to a mintage of three million coins, of which two million will feature colour, the two-dollar circulation coin commemorating the 75th anniversary of D-Day is now entering general circulation. The public should see them gradually appear in their change as bank branches and businesses begin replenishing inventories of $2 coins. Over the coming months, the Mint will also hold a number of public coin exchanges at its boutiques in Ottawa and Winnipeg, in addition to other locations around the country.
The Mint is adding to the historic commemoration of D-Day by offering several new collector products. The first are special wrap rolls of 25 two-dollar circulation coins featuring the same artwork found on the reverse of the coins. 15,000 rolls of coloured coins and 5,000 rolls of non-coloured coins are being offered. As well, the Mint has issued a ¼ oz. fine silver collector coin with a $3 denomination designed by Glen Loates. It features the lone imprint of a soldier’s boot on the sands of Juno Beach and is dated 1944-2019. Finally, a six-coin set features the coloured and non-coloured of the D-Day $2 coin, as well as Canada’s current 5-cent, 10-cent, 25-cent and $1 circulation coins. The 2019 Commemorative Collector Keepsake has a mintage of 100,000.
