Mint issues black-ringed toonie in memory of Queen

The Royal Canadian Mint is introducing a new coin in honour of Queen Elizabeth II. The new $2 coin is expected to hit circulation this month. The Mint said five million coins will first enter the national distribution system, but depending on “marketplace needs,” more could be created.

While the metal composition of the coin remains the same, the outer ring of the new toonie is black, meant to symbolize the mourning arm band and the “loss felt by millions of Canadians” after the queen’s death in September, says the Mint. The toonie will still feature the Brent Townsend polar bear design on the reverse and the current effigy of the queen on the obverse side.

“Queen Elizabeth II served as Canada’s head of state for seven decades and for millions of Canadians, she was the only monarch they had ever known,” Mint president and CEO Marie Lemay said. “Our special $2 circulation coin offers Canadians a way to remember her.”