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
Quebec nurse had to clean up after husband's death in Montreal hospital
On a night she should have been mourning, a nurse from Quebec's Laurentians region says she was forced to clean up her husband after he died at a hospital in Montreal.
Northern Ont. lawyer who abandoned clients in child protection cases disbarred
A North Bay, Ont., lawyer who abandoned 15 clients – many of them child protection cases – has lost his licence to practise law.
Bank of Canada officials split on when to start cutting interest rates
Members of the Bank of Canada's governing council were split on how long the central bank should wait before it starts cutting interest rates when they met earlier this month.
Maple Leafs fall to Bruins in Game 3, trail series 2-1
Brad Marchand scored twice, including the winner in the third period, and added an assist as the Boston Bruins downed the Toronto Maple Leafs 4-2 to take a 2-1 lead in their first-round playoff series Wednesday
Cuban government apologizes to Montreal-area family after delivering wrong body
Cuba's foreign affairs minister has apologized to a Montreal-area family after they were sent the wrong body following the death of a loved one.
'It was instant karma': Viral video captures failed theft attempt in Nanaimo, B.C.
Mounties in Nanaimo, B.C., say two late-night revellers are lucky their allegedly drunken antics weren't reported to police after security cameras captured the men trying to steal a heavy sign from a downtown business.
What is changing about Canada's capital gains tax and how does it impact me?
The federal government's proposed change to capital gains taxation is expected to increase taxes on investments and mainly affect wealthy Canadians and businesses. Here's what you need to know about the move.
New Indigenous loan guarantee program a 'really big deal,' Freeland says at Toronto conference
Canada's Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland was among the 1,700 delegates attending the two-day First Nations Major Projects Coalition (FNMPC) conference that concluded Tuesday in Toronto.
'Life was not fair to him': Daughter of N.B. man exonerated of murder remembers him as a kind soul
The daughter of a New Brunswick man recently exonerated from murder, is remembering her father as somebody who, despite a wrongful conviction, never became bitter or angry.