What Canada's new black toonie means
A glint of black will make an appearance on a new $2 coin meant to symbolize the nation’s mourning of the late Queen Elizabeth II.
The Royal Canadian Mint issued the new coin this week, bearing all the design elements of a standard toonie, but with a black outer ring reminiscent of a mourning armband.
“The composition of the coin hasn't changed. But what I can tell you because there is some commercial sensitivity around it is that it is a chemical interaction that causes the nickel to turn black,” explained Deneen Perrin, director of public affairs and government relations with the Royal Canadian Mint.
Nearly five million coins will enter the national coin distribution system as of this week, and will begin appearing gradually as banks restock their toonie inventories.
The toonie will still feature the standard Brent Townsend polar bear design on the core of the reverse, as well as the Susanna Blunt effigy of Her Late Majesty on the obverse.
For those looking to get their hands on the new toonies sooner, the Mint is hosting coin exchanges at its Ottawa and Winnipeg boutiques until 5 p.m. Thursday, or until supplies last.
“We do coin exchanges across Canada on a regular basis and we have really seen, especially in post-pandemic, a lot of people coming out to do these coin exchanges, Perrin said.
"But this one, in particular, is a special coin, and people want to be the first to get their hands on it at this point."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Spectacular aurora light show to be seen across Canada Friday night
A rare and severe solar storm is expected to bring spectacular displays of the northern lights, also known as aurora borealis, across much of Canada and parts of the United States on Friday night.
Town of Fort Nelson, B.C., ordered to evacuate due to wildfire
The entire town of Fort Nelson, B.C., as well as the nearby Fort Nelson First Nation, has been ordered to evacuate due to an out-of-control wildfire.
Snowbirds in Vancouver for puck-drop flyby as Canucks face Oilers
The Canadian Forces Snowbirds will be performing a flyover across downtown Vancouver at the start of tonight's Stanley Cup playoff game between the Canucks and the Edmonton Oilers.
McGill University seeks emergency injunction to dismantle pro-Palestinian encampment
McGill University has filed a request for an injunction to have the pro-Palestinian encampment removed from its campus.
Which Canadian cities have the highest and lowest grocery prices?
Where you live plays a big factor in what you pay at the grocery store. And while it's no secret the same item may have a different price depending on the store, city or province, we wanted to see just how big the differences are, and why.
Swarm of 20,000 bees gather around woman’s car west of Toronto
A swarm of roughly 20,000 bees gathered around a woman’s car in the parking lot of Burlington Centre.
Video shows naked raccoon catching B.C. family by surprise
When Marvin Henschel spotted a strange and hairless creature wandering through a front lawn in B.C.'s Lower Mainland, he could barely believe his eyes.
Barron Trump declines to serve as an RNC delegate
Former U.S. President Donald Trump's youngest son, Barron Trump, has declined to serve as a delegate at this summer’s Republican National Convention, according to a senior Trump campaign adviser and a statement from Melania Trump's office.
Out-of-control wildfire prompts evacuation alert for Fort McMurray, Saprae Creek Estates Friday night
An evacuation alert was issued for two Wood Buffalo communities Friday night, as crews battled an out-of-control wildfire near Fort McMurray.