BROTHERS DESIGN CANADA'S NORTHERN LIGHTS COIN

Dr. Timothy Hsia learned he was one of the winners of the Royal Canadian Mint's 2017 circulation coin series design contest from a call at the end of a long work day.

"I thought it was a patient calling and, actually, it turned out to be the Mint," said Hsia, 32, a family doctor from Richmond, B.C.

"I was so thrilled. (It) couldn't have been a better way to end that work week."

Hsia and his brother Stephen, 30, worked on the design together. The public chose the winners.

The Mint revealed the winners to the public on Wednesday. The brothers' design, which depicts the northern lights, will adorn Canada's two-dollar coins — the toonie — next spring to celebrate Canada's 150th anniversary.

The unveiling ceremony was at Richmond City Hall where the brothers were awarded a $2,000 cheque, a trip to Ottawa for two in 2017 and the special edition set of coins. Their design will be displayed on 10 million two-dollar coins.

"I've just been walking down the street and just seeing tons and tons of people, but just to think that they all have change in their pockets and that they're able to see my brother's artwork is an amazing accomplishment," said Stephen Hsia..

The brothers are both professionals; Stephen is a lawyer, and they do artwork in their spare time.

Timothy said he and his brother have worked on art projects together since they were kids, often providing feedback to one another.

It was Timothy who came up with the northern lights design. Stephen, a digital artist, helped translate the design onto the computer.

To read the complete article, see:
Richmond brothers win 'toonie' design contest for Canada's 150th anniversary (www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/mint-winners-richmond-brothers-toonie-1.3835555)

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