- January 5
- A Royal proclamation specifies that the design of a 1996 $200 gold coin depict a train crossing a railway bridge. [486.576]
- January
- The Royal Canadian Mint discontinues the 1/15-ounce gold and platinum maple leaf coins. [832.1]
- January 26
- In Basel, Switzerland, the Basel International Coin Convention is held, over three days. The Royal Canadian Mint unveils the bimetallic $2 circulating coin, and a special collector coin. The collector coin has a gold inner core, and silver/gold outer ring. Mintage limited to 5000, price is $299.95. [168.4] [182.8] [257] [326]
- At the Basel Coin Convention, the Royal Canadian Mint unveils the 1996 silver $1 coin depicting the McIntosh Apple, commemorating the 200th anniversary of the arrival of John McIntosh in Canada. The design was created by Roger Hill. [182.8] [257] [326]
- At the Basel Coin Convention, the Royal Canadian Mint unveils the 1996 $100 gold coin commemorating the 100th anniversary of the discovery of gold in the Klondike, Yukon. The design was created by John Mantha. Mintage is limited to 35,000; the Proof coin is priced at $259.95. [182.8] [257] [326]
- February 2
- A Royal proclamation amends the Royal Canadian Mint Act, changing the specifications for a $2 gold coin to be a gold core with silver outer ring. Overall fineness is 0.5042 gold, 0.44792 silver. [487.841]
- A Royal proclamation authorizes the issuance of a $2 coin with gold core and silver outer ring, depicting a polar bear. [487.843]
- February 3
- The Royal Canadian Mint launches the 1996 silver $1 coin at the Canadian Produce Marketing Association meeting, in Vancouver, BC. The coin is 0.925 fine silver, 25.175 grams weight, 36.07 mm diameter, and is priced at $29.95 (Proof) and $19.95 (brilliant uncirculated). [182.8] [183.1] [257]
- February 19
- The Royal Canadian Mint officially launches the new $2 coin at a restaurant in Montreal, Quebec. Also, the Bank of Canada ceases production of $2 notes. This is Canada's first new circulating coin since 1935. [179.1] [181.1] [188] [257] [430.A4] [434.A3] [435.A3] [661.155] [847.18] [862.1] [1143.119]
- April 2
- The Royal Canadian Mint launches the 1996 $200 half-ounce 22-karat gold coin, in Victoria, BC, commemorating the transcontinental railway. The design was created by Suzanne Duranceau. Mintage limit is 25,000; price is $414.95. [187.1] [257]
- April 16
- The Base Metal Coins Regulations, 1996, is announced, to come into force July 1. The 1c coin is to change to copper-plated zinc (34.73 grains) or copper-plated steel (36.27 grains). [488.1303]
- May 10
- The Royal Canadian Mint begins taking orders for 100 sets of a special edition of Olympic commemorative coins. The sets are sold in the first nine minutes, to 100 different callers. [231.1]
- June 6
- The Royal Canadian Mint announces that Altrista and Lasalle of the United States will produce copper-plated zinc blanks for Canada's 1c coins. [242.1]
- (month unknown)
- The Royal Canadian Mint produces 500 phone cards featuring images of the 1996 $2 coin. 102 cards are sold before spelling errors ("Numisimatic", "Colardo") are noticed, and the remainder are destroyed. The cards were produced for sale during the ANA Convention in Denver, Colorado. [345.4]
- July 18
- A Royal proclamation amends the Royal Canadian Mint Act, changing the specifications for the 1c coin to be 19.1 mm diameter, made of copper-plated zinc or copper-plated steel. [489.2594]
- July 20
- In Montreal, a tractor trailor container is stolen from a CN rail yard, containing $3 million worth of $2 coins. [431.1]
- July 25
- The Royal Canadian Mint launches the 3rd and 4th $20 coins in the Powered Flight in Canada - Beyond World War II series. The third coin depicts two Mk. 4Bs. The fourth coin depicts two CF-105 Avro Arrows. Issue price is $57.95 each. [257] [330] [661.293] (July 24 [243.1])
- August 16
- The Minister of Public Works and Government Services unveils the 1996 platinum coin set, each depicting the Peregrine Falcon. Issue price is $2095.95. [243.15] [257] [329]
- September 25
- The Royal Canadian Mint completes production of 300 million 1996 $2 coins for circulation, one year ahead of schedule. [339.4]
- September 28
- In St. Catherines, Ontario, Moore Numismatics conducts the auction at the TICF coin show. A 1921 50c coin graded as AU-55 (ICCS) / MS-61 (PCGS) sells for $60,000 to Todd Sawicki. [270.1] [275.1] [863.1]
- October 2
- A Royal proclamation specifies that the design of a 1997 $100 gold coin depict Alexander Graham Bell. [490.2921]
- A Royal proclamation specifies that the design of a 1997 $200 gold coin depicting the Haida design Raven Bringing Light to the World by Robert Davidson. [490.2923]
- October
- A consortium lead by Albern Coins and Foreign Exchange Ltd. buys a silver 1911 pattern dollar coin from Steve and Mary Marr, for an undisclosed price, greater than $500,000. [287.B10] [340.1] [408.1]
- The Royal Canadian Mint issues its first piedfort coin, a double thickness silver and gold 1996 $2 coin. The coin is packaged with two $2 replacement notes, for $180. [339.1]
- November 7
- A Royal proclamation amends the Royal Canadian Mint Act, adding specifications for a $2 silver coin with 24k gold plated silver core with silver outer ring, 0.925 fine silver, weighing 385.80 grains. [491.3149]
- A Royal proclamation authorizes the issuance of a $2 coin of gold-plated silver core with silver outer ring, depicting a polar bear. [491.3151]
- A Royal proclamation specifies that the design of a $20 silver coin depict a Canadair CT-114 Tutor aircraft and a cameo of Edward Higgins, and a $20 silver coin depict a Canadair F-86 Sabre aircraft and a cameo of Fern Villeneuve. [491.3153]
- November 15
- Bowers & Merena hosts an auction of the Norweb Collection of Canadian Coins, in Baltimore, Maryland. The coins sell for about $2.75 million. Some examples:
- 50 cents 1951 MS-67: US$90,200 ($121,400);
- 25 cents 1885/6 SP-66: $45,900;
- 5 cents 1884 N4 MS-62: $37,000;
- 50 cents 1910 MS-65: $29,600;
- 50 cents 1909 MS-64: $26,600.
[231.10] [345.7] [350] [397.16] [432.A13]
- December 11
- A Royal proclamation specifies that the design of a 1997 $1 silver coin commemorate the 1972 Canada-USSR series hockey games. [492.3383]
- December 20
- A Royal proclamation, effective January 1, 1997, sets the 1c coin as 19.1 mm diameter, made of bronze. [493.263]
1997
- January 9
- A Royal proclamation specifies that the design of a set of 1997 $300, $150, $75, and $30 platinum coins depict bison. [494.528]
- A Royal proclamation specifies that the design of a set of four 1997 50c silver coins depict Canadian Eskimo dog, Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever, Newfoundland dog, and Labrador Retriever. [494.525]
- A Royal proclamation specifies that the design of a 1997 $1 bronze-plated nickel coin depict a common loon preparing for flight from water, with dates 1987-1997. [494.531]
- January 15
- The Royal Canadian Mint unveils first strikings of the 1997 silver $1 coin, celebrating the 25th anniversary of Team Canada's victory over the USSR in hockey in 1972. Mintage will be limited to 300,000 coins, available in five different packaging formats from $19.95 to $79.95. [348.1] [349.21] [394]
- January 17
- The Royal Canadian Mint launches the 1997 $200 gold coin, the first in a four-year series celebrating Canadian Native culture. This first coin depicts Raven Bringing Light to the World. Issue price is $414.95. [349.25] [395]
- The Royal Canadian Mint launches the 1997 $100 gold coin commemorating the 150th anniversary of the birth of Alexander Graham Bell. Issue price is $259.95. [349.25] [395]
- January 20
- The 1997 $1 silver coin is first made available for sale, in Proof and Brilliant Uncirculated qualities. [348.1]
- (month unknown)
- The Royal Canadian Mint unveils a $1 coin commemorating the 10th anniversary of the small $1 coin, dated "1987-1997". The coin depicts a flying loon, designed by Jean-Luc Grondin. The coin will be available only in the Specimen set and Oh Canada! set. 1997 coin sets will also include the $2 coin, new bronze-plated zinc 1-cent coin, and 50-cent coin with modified Coat of Arms. [349.1]
- March 3
- The Royal Canadian Mint holds events in Brantford, Ontario, and Ottawa to launch the 1997 $100 14-karat gold coin honoring the 150th anniversary of the birth of Alexander Graham Bell. The coin's design was created by Donald Curley. Issue price is $259.95. [876.1]
- April 23
- A Royal proclamation specifies that the design of a 1997 $1 silver coin depict a common loon preparing for flight from water, with dates 1987-1997. [495.1432]
- May
- The Royal Canadian Mint begins selling coins via its Internet Web site, the first mint in the world to do so. [413.8]
- June
- The Royal Canadian Mint launches the 1987-97 silver Proof Loon Dollar coin. [785.25]
- (month unknown)
- The Royal Canadian Mint adds four high-speed presses to its mint facilities at Winnipeg, Manitoba. This raises its production capacity to 260 million coins per year. [420.1]
- The Royal Canadian Mint delays introduction of nickel-plated steel coins. [406.16]
- Albern Coins and company sell the 1911 $1 silver pattern to an American coin collector through coin dealer Jay Parrino of The Mint. Price is over $1 million. [408.1]
- July
- The Royal Canadian Mint launches the 1997 platinum Proof set, featuring featuring wood bison, designed by Chris Bacon. The four coins have face values of $300, $150, $75, $30. The set price is $2095.95 [398.13]
- The 1c coin is changed to copper-plated steel or zinc. [526.33]
- July 23
- A Royal proclamation authorizes the issuance of 10c silver coin depicting a ship under sail, with text "Giovanni Caboto" and dates 1497-1997. [496.2312]
- July 24
- The Royal Canadian Mint announces that no 1997-dated 25c or $1 coins would be struck for circulation. [397.24]
- (month unknown)
- The Royal Canadian Mint begins producing Maple Leaf bullion coins with private business privy marks. [406.11]
- The Royal Canadian Mint shifts production of Uncirculated, Oh Canada!, and Baby gift sets from the Ottawa mint to the Winnipeg mint. [420.1]
- August 9
- The Royal Canadian Mint launches a special 1997 10c coin in Trinity, Newfoundland. The coin commemorates the discovery of Newfoundland by Giovanni Caboto (John Cabot) in 1497. The coin is struck in 925 fine silver, and priced at $10.95. [398.4,19]
- August 15
- The Royal Canadian Mint launches the 5th and 6th $20 coins in the Powered Flight in Canada - Beyond World War II series. The fifth coin depicts the F-86 Sabre. The sixth coin depicts the CT-114 Tutor. Issue price is $57.95 each. [393.13] [661.294]
- August 20
- A Royal proclamation authorizes the issuance of a $50 gold coin, 30 mm diameter, 10-sided, with inscription "US$250 guaranteed by the Royal Canadian Mint to Jan 1st 2000". The inscription value is also allowed for specific values in the range US$260-450. The coin's reverse would depict a Royal Canadian Mounted Police officer mounted on a horse. The coin would contain one troy ounce of 0.9999 fine gold. [497.2666]
- (month unknown)
- The Royal Canadian Mint releases the Cabot silver 10-cent piece. [407.25]
- October 20
- A Royal proclamation specifies that the design of a set of four 50-cent silver coins depict blue whale, humpback whale, beluga whale, and killer whale. [498.3039]
- October 23
- The first auction of the John Jay Pittman collection is completed. Some prices realized:
- 1 cent 1936 dot: US$110,000 (CDN$170,000);
- 10 cent 1936 dot: US$120,000 (CDN$185,000).
[406.7] [444.7] [661.57,90]
- October 28
- A Royal proclamation specifies that the design of a 1998 $1 silver coin commemorate the 125th anniversary of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. [499.3089]
- October 30
- The Minister of Public Works and Government Services and the Minister responsible for the Royal Canadian Mint announces that the Royal Canadian Mint will build a plating facility adjacent to the mint in Winnipeg. [406.15]
- November
- The 16th edition (1998) of Coins of Canada by J.A. Haxby and R.C. Willey is released by publisher Unitrade Press, for $10.95. [407.21]
- November 19
- A Royal proclamation specifies that the design of a set of 1998 $300, $150, $75, and $30 platinum coins depict the gray wolf. [500.3308]
- December 10
- A Royal proclamation authorizes the issuance of a $5 silver coin, dated 1998, showing Norman Bethune riding a horse in a caravan of soldiers and mules. [501.3629]
- December
- The Royal Canadian Mint unveils the first coin in the Lunar Zodiac series, commemorating the 1998 Year of the Tiger. [424.1]
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