CAVENDISH, PE, June 26, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The Royal Canadian
Mint is releasing a new $1
commemorative circulation coin honouring L. M. Montgomery, one
of the most prolific and widely read authors in Canadian history.
On the 150th anniversary of her birth, this coin pays
tribute to Montgomery's talent and enduring contributions to
Canadian and world literature, as well as her role in popularizing
Prince Edward Island (PEI) and
Canada through her timeless
Anne of Green Gables novel series and other memorable
works. This coin will start entering circulation on June 27, 2024.
"The Anne of Green Gables novels are iconic works of
Canadian literature, and have captivated millions of readers in
Canada and around the world," said
The Honourable Chrystia Freeland, Deputy Prime Minister and
Minister of Finance. "This new coin in tribute to L. M. Montgomery
and her literary masterpieces will help keep the story of Anne in
our pockets for generations to come."
"The life and legacy of L. M. Montgomery is the kind of story
that belongs on the first circulation coin to celebrate an author,"
said Marie Lemay, President and CEO
of the Royal Canadian Mint. "With her iconic tales of Anne Shirley still being translated into dozens
of languages and adapted for stage and screen, we are proud to have
represented Montgomery's story on a coin that will be shared and
treasured for generations."
The coin was unveiled at Green Gables Heritage Place, the family
house and farmstead administered by Parks Canada that Montgomery
used as the inspiration for the setting of her novel Anne of Green
Gables. Its artwork is the creation of Prince Edward Island artist Brenda Jones. It features a profile portrait of
the beloved Canadian author
(1874-1942) around the time Anne of Green Gables was
written, along with the author's signature and the cat drawing she
often included when signing her name.
To convey the power of Montgomery's imagination, the coin design
flows from the view of the author putting pen to paper (represented
by the portfolio and inkwell) to that of Anne Shirley gazing out at PEI farmland – the
real-life inspiration for many of Montgomery's stories. The obverse
features the effigy of His Majesty King Charles III by Canadian
artist Steven Rosati.
"I greatly admire my grandmother, for her contribution to
Canadian literature and culture, her strength of character, and the
love, pride and sense of responsibility she gave to my family,"
said Montgomery's granddaughter, Kate
Macdonald Butler. "For her to be commemorated on millions of
circulation coins is an unimaginable honour and I hope Canadians
will cherish it as much as I do, not only for the stories she told,
but for the woman she was."
Born in Clifton, PEI in 1874,
L. M. Montgomery published hundreds of short stories and poems, in
addition to 20 novels, including the famed: Anne of Green
Gables stories. She eventually settled in Toronto, where she died in 1942. Montgomery
was finally laid to rest in PEI's Cavendish Cemetery – a last
return to the island she so cherished.
Limited to a mintage of three million coins, of which two
million are coloured, this new $1 circulation coin begins
circulating on June 27, 2024.
It will reach Canadians through their change as bank branches
and businesses replenish their coin inventories.
Other collector products adding to this commemoration include
coloured and uncoloured special wrap rolls of 25 uncirculated coins
each, as well as a fine silver coin.
These collectibles can be ordered as of today by contacting the
Mint at 1-800-267-1871 in Canada,
1-800-268-6468 in the US, or online at www.mint.ca/LMM.They are
also available at the Royal Canadian Mint's Ottawa and Winnipeg boutiques, as well as through the
Mint's global network of dealers and distributors.
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 one of
the largest and most versatile mints in the world, producing
award-winning collector coins, market-leading bullion products, as
well as Canada's prestigious
military and civilian honours. As an established London and COMEX Good Delivery refiner, the
Mint also offers a full spectrum of best-in-class gold and silver
refining services. As an organization that strives to take
better care of the environment, to cultivate safe and inclusive
workplaces and to make a positive impact on the communities where
it operates, the Mint integrates environmental, social and
governance practices in every aspect of its operations.
For more information on the Mint, its products and services,
visit www.mint.ca. Follow the Mint on LinkedIn, Facebook and
Instagram.
Images of the circulation coin and collector products are
available here.
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