The Royal Canadian Mint Scores an Ace As Its February Collection Opens With A New Silver Coin Honouring Flying Legend Billy Bishop

OTTAWA, FEBRUARY 8, 2019 - This month, the Royal Canadian Mint tells a story of valour in combat with a tribute to Canadian First World War flying ace Billy Bishop. This fine silver coin continues the Mint's proud tradition of preserving the memory of the heroic men and women behind Canada's military history.

Born 125 years ago, the talented airman from Owen Sound, Ontario, recorded 72 confirmed kills as a Royal Flying Corps fighter pilot in the First World War. He was awarded the Victoria Cross for his single-handed attack on a German airfield near Cambrai, France, on June 2, 1917. His fame grew further when he was believed to have shot down the infamous Baron Manfred von Richthofen – known as the Red Baron.

Squadron Commander Bishop is remembered in an engraved, colour portrait of the famed pilot and his aircraft, a Nieuport 17 he affectionately named "Little Daisy". This coin, along with many new and exciting keepsakes, is now available for purchase.

The Mint opens another chapter in history with the first of a series of 2019 coins celebrating the 100th anniversary of CN Rail: a $200 pure gold coin designed by artist Tony Bianco. Its reverse features three locomotives symbolizing distinct periods in the railway's first 100 years. A circular ring of track frames a design featuring a map of Canada, which CN spanned from coast to coast, playing a vital role in our country's development.

Little-known pieces of Canada's numismatic past are also brought back to life in the 2019 Fine Silver 2-Coin Set - Royal Canadian Mint Lore: Back to Concept. Consisting of an impressive pair of 2 oz. silver coins, this set captures the original artwork proposed by artist Emanuel Hahn for the launch of Canada's Voyageur silver dollar and the Caribou 25-cent circulation coin over 80 years ago. It may surprise some to discover that our 25-cent coin could have included an engraving of the Big Dipper constellation, floating above the image of our well-known caribou. 

In honour of Canadians with an Icelandic and Scandinavian heritage, especially well-represented in the province of Manitoba, the Mint is launching a new fine silver, selectively gold plated series of three coins celebrating Norse Gods. The first of these Alexandra Lefort-designed coins features Thor, the Norse God of Thunder. His famous hammer, as well as his belt and iron gauntlets are gold-plated. Two more legendary figures of Norse mythology will be showcased in 2019.

Completing these exciting coins are the following new releases:

• The 2019 Pure Silver Proof Set – 75th Anniversary of D-Day, featuring a selectively gold-plated silver dollar designed by Tony Bianco;
• The 2019 Specimen Set-Pileated Woodpecker, designed by artist Jean-Charles Daumas;
• The 2019 $2,500 Pure Gold Coin – Great Seal of the Province of Canada (1841-1867), crafted of a kilo of 99.99% pure gold;
• The 2019 $50 Fine Silver Coin – Maple Leaf in Motion, designed by Glen Loates and featuring a first-time combination of pink and yellow gold plating;
• The 2019 $10 Fine Silver Coin – Maple Leaves, a specimen-finish coin designed by artist Pierre Leduc;
• The 2019 $20 Fine Silver Coin – The Canadian Flag, combining colour and classical engraving in a design by artist Aoifa Anctil;
• The 2019 $100 Fine Silver Double Concave Coin – Nature's Grandeur: Commanding Wolves, designed by Denis Mayer Jr.;
• The 2019 $200 Pure Gold Coin – Canadian Moose, crafted of 99.999% pure gold and designed Claude Thivierge;
• The 2019 $50 Fine Silver Coin – My Inner Nature: Grizzly Bear, a selectively gold-plated coin designed by artist Caitlin Lindstrom Milne;
• The 2019 25-Cent Coin Set – Dinosaurs of Canada, a three-piece collection of multi-ply plated steel coins, featuring paleoartist Julius Csotonyi's illustration of famous Canadian dinosaur fossils presented in a colourful folder;
• The 2019 $125 Fine Silver Coin – The Benevolent Dragon, a half-kilo selectively
  gold-plated coin celebrating Chinese New Year with a Three Degrees Creative design;
• The 2019 $3 Fine Silver Coin – Celebrating Canadian Fun and Festivities – Dog Sledding; and
• The 2019 $5 Fine Silver Coin – Zodiac Series: Pisces.

Mintages, pricing and full background information on each product can be found on the "Shop" tab of www.mint.ca. Coin images are available here.

All of these products can be ordered directly from the Mint at 1-800-267-1871 in Canada, 1-800-268-6468 in the US, or on the Mint's web site. The coins are also available at the Royal Canadian Mint's boutiques in Ottawa and Winnipeg, as well as through our global network of dealers and distributors, including participating Canada Post outlets.

About the Royal Canadian Mint

The Royal Canadian Mint is the Crown corporation responsible for the minting and distribution of Canada's circulation coins. The Mint is recognized as one of the largest and most versatile mints in the world, offering a wide range of specialized, high quality coinage products and related services on an international scale. For more information on the Mint, its products and services, visit www.mint.ca.

For more information, please contact:

Alex Reeves
Senior Advisor, External Communications
Tel: (613) 949-5777
reeves@mint.ca