SPECIAL $2 CIRCULATION COIN HONOURING QUEEN ELIZABETH II
December 7, 2022
Good morning,
I am writing to inform you that we have received Governor-in-Council approval for a $2 circulation coin honouring the reign of Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. This coin bears all the features of a conventional $2 coin, with the exception of an entirely black outer ring, symbolizing mourning. An initial run of about five million coins will enter the national coin distribution system in December and I wish to assure you that this coin is both genuine and fully compatible with current coin acceptance mechanisms.
The “black ring” effect is the result of a treatment of the external nickel-based layer of the outer ring, on both its obverse and reverse. The Mint has conducted rigorous testing to ensure that the addition of a new layer of nickel does not, in any way, affect the coin’s electro-magnetic signature.
We are hoping that you can help inform your members that these coins are indeed genuine circulation coins, issued in memory of Her Late Majesty. I have included this link to visual assets that can be freely shared with your stakeholders. We are also conducting a web and media outreach campaign to ensure the general public is adequately informed.
I thank you in advance for your support with this important initiative, as well as in upholding the integrity of our coin management system.
Kind Regards,
Lenard Cheung
Sr. Director, Canadian Circulation
Royal Canadian Mint
320 Sussex Drive
Ottawa, ON. K1A 0G8
Mint.ca