2 Dollar Coin - War of 1812: HMS Shannon (2012)

Specifications:


Composition: Outer Ring – Multi-ply nickel plated steel: Insert – Multi-ply brass plated aluminum bronze
Finish: Circulation
Weight: 6.92g
Diameter: 28 mm
Edge: Interrupted serrations with edge-lettering of the words "CANADA" and "2 DOLLARS"

Face Value: 2 dollar
Mintage: 5,000,000
Artist:  Bonnie Ross (reverse), Susanna Blunt (obverse)

The 2 dollar War of 1812 HMS Shannon was released by the RCM to commemorate the 200 year anniversary of the War of 1812.  The War of 1812 was fought between the United States and Great Britain.  It was instrumental in establishing the British colonial territory that would later become the Dominion of Canada.

This is the second 2 dollar coin released by the mint to incorporate the mints new security features.  The obverse of the coin features two maple leaves on the top rim which are only visible with the coin is shifted side to side.  The bottom of the rim also has two maple leaves which are laser etched.  The value of the coin has been moved to the obverse to make more room for the pictorial of the HMS Shannon.

With the introduction of the new security features the mint has begun striking the collar of the $2 coin with the words "CANADA 2 DOLLARS" and two small maple leaves.  The collar strike has created two varieties of all new toonies.  The collar text can be oriented towards either the obverse or reverse of the coin.  Both of the new 2012 regular toonie and the War of 1812 Shannon toonie have been confirmed to have the two varieties.

With a mintage of 5,000,000 this coin has a lower mintage than other commemorative toonies that have been released.  Matched only by the 2011 Boreal Forest which also had a mintage of 5,000,000.

The 2008, 400th Anniversary of founding of Quebec City had a mintage of 6,000,000.  The 2006 10th Anniversary of the Toonie had a mintage of  35,319,000.  The 2002 the 50th anniversary of Queen Elizabeth's reign had a mintage of 27,020,000.  The 2000 Knowledge had a mintage of 29,880,000.  The 1999 the founding of Nunavut had a mintage of 25,130,000.

This coin is first in the part of a set that will be released by the mint.  Four new 25-cent coins will be released this year and in 2013, as part of the series.