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Centennial of flight in Canada featured on Royal Canadian Mint’s first collector coins of 2009

Jan. 9, 2009 – CNW Telbec – The Royal Canadian Mint today released its
first new collector coins and gift products of 2009, choosing the
centennial of flight in Canada as the theme of its highly anticipated
2009 Proof Silver Dollar. This coin leads a formation of annual
releases consisting of $100, $200 and $300 face value gold issues, as
well as proof, uncirculated and specimen coin sets celebrating popular
and meaningful themes. The Mint's fine silver version of the Historical
Commerce Collection, "new look" gift sets and new greeting card coins
complete the line-up.

"The Royal Canadian Mint continues to stand out among the world's mints
by producing collector coins of striking appearance and exceptional
quality," said Ian E. Bennett, President and CEO of the Royal Canadian
Mint. "The first collector coins of 2009 are shining examples of our
passion for crafting coins of outstanding beauty and value for buyers
from across Canada and around the world."

Below are the featured products being introduced:

2009 PROOF SILVER DOLLAR – 100TH ANNIVERSARY OF FLIGHT IN CANADA (1909-2009)
Canadian history was made 100 years ago on the surface of a frozen Nova
Scotia lake as the Silver Dart, Canada's first successful flying machine,
celebrated its maiden flight on February 23, 1909. From its proving grounds in
Baddeck, Nova Scotia, Alexander Graham Bell's Aerial Experiment Association
laid the groundwork for a century of Canadian distinction in the field
of aeronautics. The Royal Canadian Mint is proud to showcase Canada's
many flying icons, from the Silver Dart to Canada's Snowbirds, on a
beautifully contrasting proof silver coin.

Designed by Ontario artist Jason Bouwman, this sterling silver dollar
features an image of a young person running with arms spread like an
airplane's wings, symbolizing humanity's timeless dream of flight. In
the background, the silhouettes of the Silver Dart, the Avro Arrow and
a "Snowbird" Tutor Jet, illustrate Canada rich aeronautic engineering
legacy. A close look at the overall design also reveals the ingeniously
composed image of our beloved maple leaf. Limited to a mintage of
50,000, the 2009 Proof Silver Dollar is available for $47.95 CDN. The
brilliant uncirculated version
of this coin also retails for $39.95 CDN and is limited to a mintage of
30,000.

The same design is reproduced on a selectively gold-plated proof dollar
coin, which is exclusive to the Mint's 2009 Proof Set. Only 55,000 sets, with
a suggested retail price of $99.95 CDN, are available world-wide.

2009 $300 GOLD COIN – YUKON COAT OF ARMS
The Mint's 2009 edition of the official $300 gold series of Coats of Arms
of Canada's provinces and territories celebrates the Yukon, home of one of the
greatest gold rushes in human history. This imposing, oversize coin is a
scintillating tribute to the proud and capable people of the Yukon, as well as
its vast store of natural resources. Officially granted by Her Majesty Queen
Elizabeth II in 1956, the Yukon Coat of Arms adorns the reverse of this proof
14-karat gold coin with a $300 face value. Only 1,000 of these coins have been
minted, each available at $1,659.95 CDN.

2009 22-KARAT GOLD AND FINE SILVER COINS – HISTORICAL COMMERCE: COAL MINING TRADE
Coal mining appears as the subject of the fifth issue in the Historical
Commerce 22-karat gold coin series. Since Canada's first commercial coal mine
opened in Cape Breton's Port Morien in 1720, coal has fuelled the development
of Canada and of industries around the world. This new coin, which features a
black laser-etched accent highlighting a carload of coal, is sure to attract
those who are attracted to finely engraved gold coins, as much as those who
appreciate premium coins with a touch of new technology.

This proof-quality 22-karat gold coin is limited to a mintage of 4,000.
With a face value of $200, it is composed of 91.67% gold and 8.33% silver and
retails for $697.95 CDN. Its $20 fine silver sibling, popular with collectors
of 99.99% pure silver coins, is limited to a world-wide mintage of 10,000 and
is offered at $74.95 CDN.

2009 14-KARAT GOLD COIN – 10TH ANNIVERSARY OF NUNAVUT (1999-2009)
Another anniversary graces the reverse of the Mint's 2009 $100 gold coin.
It is now 10 years since the people of Nunavut celebrated the creation of
Canada's newest territory. The drum dance skillfully illustrated by
Pangnirtung, Nunavut artist Andrew Qappik evokes the jubilation that reigned
when the territory was officially declared on April 1, 1999. The faces of an
Inuit elder, adult and youth represent the generations which are the key to
Nunavut's heritage and future. This coin is limited to a worldwide mintage of
5,000 and retails for $419.95 CDN.

2009 SPECIMEN SET – GREAT BLUE HERON
The image of a Great Blue Heron in full flight resides on the
limited-edition aureate dollar coin featured in the 2009 Specimen Set. This is
the only Mint coin set to include this limited-edition one-dollar coin
gracefully designed by Saskatchewan artist Chris Jordison. Also included are
all of Canada's traditional circulation coins (except the Common Loon dollar)
in a unique specimen finish. The limited worldwide mintage for this set is
40,000, and it is available for $47.95 CDN.

2009 COMMEMORATIVE COIN SETS – PAINTED 25-CENT COINS
The Mint has redesigned its "Oh! Canada" and "Welcoming Baby" 25-cent
painted commemorative coins, exclusively available as individual centerpieces
of popular annual uncirculated coin sets. The unique 25-cent coins appear
through a die-cut in the cover of the collection folder. Each set retails for
$19.95 CDN.

New for 2009 is a series of greeting card coins. Reflecting a common
theme of Canadiana, these lasting reminders of life's special moments are
offered in four special cards: Surprise Birthday; Share the excitement; Share
the love; and Thank you. Each memorable greeting card coin retails for $9.95
CDN.

The Royal Canadian Mint has also introduced a 2009 uncirculated set
limited to a worldwide mintage of 65,000 sets, available for $22.95 CDN.

All of the Mint's products are available directly from the Mint at
1-800-267-1871 in Canada, 1-800-268-6468 in the US, or on the Internet at
www.mint.ca. The coins are also available at the Royal Canadian Mint's global
network of dealers and distributors.

About the Royal Canadian Mint
The Royal Canadian Mint is the Crown Corporation responsible for the
minting and distribution of Canada's circulation coins. An ISO 9001-2000
certified company, the Mint is recognized as one of the largest and most
versatile mints in the world, offering a wide range of specialized, high
quality coinage products and related services on an international scale. The
Mint is an Official Supporter of the Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic
Winter Games and has undertaken to produce the most extensive circulation coin
program in relation to the Olympic Games ever conceived by any mint worldwide,
while also offering limited mintage collector coins and sets. Visit
www.mint.ca/2010 for Vancouver 2010 keepsakes and gifts.

For further information: Alex Reeves, Manager, Communications, (613)
949-5777, Mobile: (613) 884-6370, reeves@mint.ca

For images and more information visit: www.mint.ca