Canada’s Toonie marks 25 years
Posted February 19, 2021 9:24 am.
Last Updated February 19, 2021 12:56 pm.
VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) – Canada’s $2 coin — the Toonie — is marking its 25th anniversary Friday.
The bi-metallic coin was first introduced on Feb. 19, 1996 to replace the $2 bill.
According to the Royal Canadian Mint, the coin has a life span approximately 20-times longer than the old paper currency.
The Toonie has undergone many changes in its quarter-of-a-century lifetime. When first introduced, it featured the portrait of Queen Elizabeth II on one side, and the iconic polar bear design on the other.
What the Toonie looked like when it was introduced in 1996. (Courtesy Royal Canadian Mint)
However, 2003 was the last year the portrait of the Queen designed by Dora de Pedery-Hunt appeared on the coin. It was replaced in June of that year with an updated effigy of the royal in honour of her 50th coronation.
Apart from anniversary editions of the currency, the polar bears did not appear on the Toonie in two instances. The first was in 1999, when the majority of the coins were made to include a special design commemorating the founding of Nunavut. Polar bears did appear on a limited number of coins for collectors.
The second time was in 2008 to mark the 400th anniversary of the founding of Quebec City.
