The E-Sylum:  Volume 9, Number 16, April 16, 2006, Article 24

MORE ON CANADA's PINK QUARTER

Regarding the Royal Canadian Mint's newly-released 25-cent
colourized coin for breast cancer, Steve Woodland writes: "The
coin is manufactured from a standard 25-cent planchet (steel core
with nickel-copper-nickel plating).  The obverse of the coin features
the current uncrowned effigy of Queen Elizabeth II, while the reverse
has the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation's "pink ribbon loop" symbol
on a white background in the centre, surrounded by three groupings
of the loop and the words "25 Cents CANADA".  I am not certain of
exactly how the coloured image is placed on the coin, but it is
applied after striking and it seems that it is stamped on.

Much discussion is occurring among Canadian collectors about the
"right" orientation of the coloured image on the reverse and of
the quality of the image.  The loop appears in all possible
orientations and often the white background is "splotchy".  The
accepted "right" orientation appears to be medal orientation with
the loop up and the tassels down.

For the info of interested collectors, the enamelled version of
the 25-cent coin contained in the bookmark is of better quality
and much nicer to look at, with a proof-like finish and a slightly
different colouring arrangement.  Photos of this and the $5-dollar
Silver Proof coin are on the RCM's website at RCM's website.

As for other colourized circulating coins, I am not aware of any
others aside from the Canadian 2004 Poppy 25-cents and this coin.
There are, however, many non-circulating colourized coins, as I am
sure E-Sylum readers are aware."

To view an image of the coin, see: image

In the April 10, 2006 issue of the Canadian Numismatic Association
E-Bulletin (v2n12), editor John Regitko writes:

"Now the Royal Canadian Mint has partnered with Shoppers Drug Mart
and Pharmaprix to distribute a new circulating colored quarter. A
collaboration of the RCM and Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation,
the first of the up to 30 million went into circulation on April 1.

You remember the criticisms Tim Hortons received about the fact
that you had to make a purchase before you received a Poppy quarter
as change, even though the commercials said you did not? Or the fact
that they would not give you more than one in change, even when you
bought coffees for the whole office or coin club? Or were out of
stock when they saw you coming in again to buy a coffee just to get
another one, even though your friends went in 10 minutes later and
received one from a bunch that mysteriously appeared from one of
the compartments in the cash register?

My wife went to Shoppers Drug Mart on April 7, made a purchase and
was asked how many of the new pink-ribbon coins she wanted."

Canadian coin dealer Vern Gilbertson protested the distribution
plan in an interview with The Brandon Sun:

"I went up to Shoppers and asked for 10 rolls of coins. I was
prepared to pay a premium, too. But they told me I could only get
one coin per purchase.

I'm the only coin dealer between Winnipeg and Regina. We being
a dealer, we like to have a lot of coins on hand. While I am able
to order coins from the mint in Winnipeg, I have to pay double.

Gilbertson said he paid $90 for five rolls of quarters worth $50
at face value.

Right now, Gilbertson has only one of the pink ribbon coins
in his possession — the one he got at Shoppers Drug Mart.

He's awaiting a special order from the Winnipeg mint."

To read the complete story, see: Full Story

  Wayne Homren, Editor

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