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Mint adds tributes to the Diamond Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II and marks the centennial of the sinking of RMS Titanic, while releasing other popular new coins  OTTAWA, March 8, 2012 /CNW/ - In a year of historic anniversaries, the Royal Canadian Mint is pleased to release exquisite new collector coins which add to the ongoing celebration of the Diamond Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II.  New coins from the Mint also respectfully remember the sinking of RMS Titanic, a historic tragedy which occurred near Canada's shores 100 years ago. Other coins feature new releases in popular series such as the Mint's Birthstones silver coins; the annual 50-cent circulation coin roll; the Full Wolf's Moon niobium and sterling silver coin; and a 2012 Welcome to the World $20 silver coin. "Royal Canadian Mint coins remind us of our past and tell the unfolding story of Canada by capturing compelling symbols of our history, culture and values," said Ian E. Bennett, President and CEO of the Royal Canadian Mint.  "It is in the spirit of learning from our past and celebrating the Canada of today that we proudly commemorate the centennial of the sinking of the Titanic, the Diamond Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II and many other themes on finely crafted coins which honour our national spirit and identity." The following describes the newest Mint products available to the public. RMS TITANIC - $10 SILVER; 50-CENT SILVER PLATED; AND 25-CENT COLOURED COINS The world has never forgotten the tragic loss of life on April 15, 1912 aboard the world's largest, most luxurious and reputedly safest passenger ship of its day: RMS Titanic.  After one of the world's greatest maritime disasters has been immortalized in best-selling books and in movies, the Royal Canadian Mint has commemorated the centennial of the tragedy of Titanic, and its place in Canadian maritime history, on a captivating series of new collector coins. Hailed as the epitome of progress and luxury, the ship once thought unsinkable struck an iceberg on her maiden voyage and sank in the icy waters of the North Atlantic, about 900 kilometres (600 miles) off the coast of Nova Scotia. After wireless operators at Cape Race, Newfoundland helped coordinate the rescue of 700 survivors, Canadian vessels such as the cable ships CS Mackay-Bennett and Minia, lighthouse supply ship Montmagny, and sealing ship Algerine sailed from Halifax to the disaster area to recover victims' bodies and personal effects.  Today, some 150 unclaimed victims remain buried in Halifax, Nova Scotia. The Mint has crafted three special coins which vividly capture the cautionary tale of Titanic. Canadian maritime artist Yves Bérubé has designed a $10 face value, 99.99% pure silver coin with a proof finish and a silver-plated 50-cent coin with selective colouring, both of which feature illustrations of RMS Titanic under full steam and the iceberg which sealed its fate 100 year ago. The$10 silver coin is limited to a mintage of 20,000 coins world-wide and retails for $64.95 CDN, while 15,000 silver-plated 50-cent coins have been produced, each retailing for $34.95 CDN. A richly coloured 25-cent cupro-nickel coin completes the Mint's account of the unforgettable story of Titanic.  Designed by Three Degrees Creative Group, the coin combines daytime and night time views of the greatest Royal Mail Ship of its time. The coin is packaged in a colourful folder containing a pop-out bird's eye view of Titanic sailing in all its glory, as well as facts about the ship and a timeline of her maiden voyage.  Produced on demand, this captivating coin retails for $29.95 CDN. THE QUEEN'S DIAMOND JUBILEE - $50 GOLD AND $20 SILVER ULTRA-HIGH RELIEF COINS The wait is over for the official celebration of the 60(th) anniversary of the reign of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II as Queen of Canada.  The Mint is proud to mark the occasion with exciting new proof, ultra-high relief gold and silver coins. In a contemporary effigy by Canadian portrait artist Laurie McGaw, the profile of Queen Elizabeth II regally stands out on the Mint's first ultra-high relief gold coin.  Crafted of 99.999% pure gold and bearing a $50 face value, this amazing coin was created through an innovative technique which pushes the apex of the design's relief to extreme heights normally found only in medallic art. Striking the purest gold in the world at such a high relief presented a mix of challenges and advantages due to the softness, malleability, and flow rate of gold. The result is an image of extraordinary height and fluidity in a rare coin limited to a world-wide mintage of 500 and retailing for $2,999.99 CDN. A 99.99% pure silver, $20 face value version of this coin design was quadruple-struck and hand polished to create coins which are individual works of art, given the minute differences in surface contours imparted by the extensive handcrafting of each coin.  Only 7,500 of these fine collectibles have been crafted and each retail for $129.95 CDN. 2012 $20 FINE SILVER COIN - THE QUEEN'S VISIT TO CANADA The Royal Canadian Mounted Police has played the role of escort and host during many of the Queen's fondly remembered visits to Canada.  This special relationship is almost as enduring as the Diamond Jubilee of Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, who has served as the RCMP's Honourary Commissioner since June 1953. In celebration of Her Majesty's Diamond Jubilee, the Mint has commemorated the long-standing RCMP tradition of marking important milestones by presenting the Queen, an avid equestrian and animal lover since her youth, with one of their best horses. A $20 face value, 99.99% pure silver coin, designed by Canadian artist Bonnie Ross, shows Queen Elizabeth accepting  her first RCMP horse: PSH (Police Service Horse) Burmese. Flanked by an RCMP Sergeant Major, a smiling Queen greets Burmese, born and bred in 1962 at the RCMP Remount Detachment in Fort Walsh, Saskatchewan. A pure black filly with a Prima Donna role in the RCMP's famed Musical Ride, Burmese became a favourite of the Queen in 1969 and won the hearts of the public as Queen Elizabeth rode her stunning black RCMP mare at formals such as Trooping the Colour, Her Majesty's annual Birthday Parade. Burmese retired in 1986, enjoying the pastures of Windsor Castle until her passing in 1990. This fine silver coin, which also features the Queen's royal cipher and the maple garland crest bearing the number 60 to commemorate Her Majesty's Diamond Jubilee, is limited to 25,000 examples world-wide and retails for $89.95 CDN. 2012 50-CENT SILVER-PLATED COIN- THE QUEEN'S DIAMOND JUBILEE 1952-2012: ROYAL CYPHER The Canadian emblem of the Queen's Diamond Jubilee, featuring the Royal Cypher, has already been captured in gold and silver coins issued by the Mint in late 2011.  It is now portrayed in vivid colour on a large silver-plated copper coin in honour of Her Majesty's 60 years as Queen of Canada.  On this coin, Queen Elizabeth II's Royal Cypher, distinctly featuring her monogram: "E II R" beneath St. Edward's crown, is framed by a garland of maple leaves, at the centre of which a maple leaf is overlaid by a diamond outline showing the numeral "60".   This coin is packaged in a colourful folder featuring the image of Her Majesty wearing a Maple Leaf brooch and waving to Canadians during her official visit to Canada on Canada Day 2010. Produced on demand, this vibrant Canadian tribute to the Queen's Diamond Jubilee retails for $29.95 CDN. 2012 $3 FINE SILVER COIN - BIRTHSTONE COLLECTION Back by popular demand, the Mint's Birthstone series of Swarovski crystal-enhanced fine silver coins return in 2012 sporting a fresh new look.  Artist Maurice Gervais has created a floral design whose frosted finish is contrasted against the mirror-like background of these proof finish coins.  Twelve different coins for each month of the year are set with a crystal corresponding to its birth stone colour.  Perfect as a gift for a loved one's birthday or celebrating treasured moments, these 99.99% pure silver coins can be purchased as a coin or worn as a stunning piece of jewellery.  New for 2012, the entire collection of 12 birthstone silver coins can purchased as one of only 200 complete sets for $779.40 CDN.  Individual coins retail for $64.95 CDN each and will be produced on demand. 2012 HALF-OUNCE FINE SILVER COIN - WELCOME TO THE WORLD As the advent of spring heralds the renewal of life, the Mint is proud to issue a reverse-proof silver coin by which to celebrate the precious birth of a new child.  Crafted in a half-ounce of 99.99% pure silver, this special coin features a brilliant engraving of a newborn's feet, about to make contact with a brand new world.  The coin also comes with a specially designed full colour certificate of authenticity which can be personalised with a unique message to commemorate this most precious of life's milestones. Limited to a mintage of 10,000 coins word-wide, this precious keepsake retails for $59.95 CDN. 2012 $5 STERLING SILVER AND NIOBIUM COIN— FULL WOLF'S MOON The Mint's innovative series of selectively anodized silver and niobium coins honouring the tradition of the seasonal moon phases of the Algonquin people continues with The Full Wolf's Moon. The radiant blue accent of this coin's niobium core accentuates the silhouette of a lone wolf howling through the crisp air of a January night.  The Wolf Moon also known as the Snow Moon or Old Moon, symbolizes the months of snow and ice that First Nations people have endured and survived for millennia. This is the third issue in a series of four exquisite sterling silver and niobium coins, adorned by the distinct colours of each Algonquin full moon season: The Buck; The Hunter; The Wolf; and The Full Pink Moon.  These coins have a $5 face value and were designed by artist John Mantha.  Only 7,500 Full Wolf Moon coins, each retailing for $121.95 CDN, are available. 2012 CIRCULATION COIN ROLL - 50-CENT The Mint's annual 50-cent special wrap coin roll is a perennial sell-out product which makes another highly anticipated return in 2012.  Featuring a classic engraving of Canada's coat of arms, the 50-cent circulation coin is not normally exchanged in the course of daily business. It is however sought as an exclusive collectible, with only 10,000 specially-wrapped rolls available in 2012, each retailing for $24.95 CDN. All of the Mint's products are available directly from the Mint at 1-800-267-1871 in Canada, 1-800-268-6468 in the US, or on the Internet at www.mint.ca. The coins are also available at the Royal Canadian Mint's boutiques in Ottawa, Winnipeg and Vancouver, 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. An ISO 9001-2008 certified company, 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 Images and product details of the Mint's newest collection are available by visiting ftp://communications:RCM2007@ftp.mint.ca. Royal Canadian Mint CONTACT: Alex ReevesSenior Manager, CommunicationsTelephone: (613) 949-5777reeves@mint.ca

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