Royal Canadian Mint Launches $2 Coin Honouring D-Day

The Royal Canadian Mint has launched a new $2 coin into circulation, honouring Canadians who landed in Normandy, France 75 years ago and helped establish the Allied foothold that would lead to the liberation of Western Europe.

The coin was unveiled on May 27 at the Moncton Garrison, home to the 37 Brigade of the North Shore Regiment (New Brunswick) whose troops were among the 13 Canadian regiments landing at Juno Beach on June 6, 1944.

“Canadians proudly uphold the tradition of remembrance so that we may never forget the sacrifices of our veterans in defending our freedoms and values,” said the Minister of Veterans Affairs and Associate Minister of National Defense Honourable Lawrence MacAulay in a statement.

Designed by Canadian artist Alan Daniel, the reverse of this coin conveys the anticipation of Canadian soldiers approaching Juno Beach, Normandy on June 6, 1944.

At the core of the coin, it shows three soldiers peering from their landing craft. On the outer ring, engravings of ships and aircraft illustrate the massive air and naval operation which supported the troops taking part in the largest seaborne invasion in military history. D-DAY/LEJOUR J is engraved above the soldiers’ helmets.

At the bottom, the words REMEMBER/SOUVENIR appear on either side of the coin’s 2019 date. The obverse features the effigy of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth, designed by Canadian artist Susanna Blunt in 2003.

“Ever since our very first Poppy coin in 2004, the Royal Canadian Mint has proudly issued special circulation coins to help Canadians remember the service and sacrifice of Canada’s veterans and active military,” said President and CEO of the Royal Canadian Mint Marie Lemay in a statement.

Limited to a mintage of three million coins, of which two million will feature colour, the two-dollar circulation coin commemorating the 75th anniversary of D-Day is now entering general circulation. The public should see them gradually appear in their change as banks and businesses begin replenishing inventories of $2 coins.

“By issuing a circulation coin honouring the 75th anniversary of D-Day, the Mint is helping all of us remember brave Canadians who risked everything, or made the ultimate sacrifice, so that the Allied landing on the beaches of Normandy in June 1944 could succeed and help end the Second World War,” said MacAulay.

The Royal Canadian Mint is responsible for the minting and distribution of Canada’s circulation coins. The Mint is recognized as one of the largest and most versatile mints in the world, offering a wide range of coinage products and related services on an international scale.