Canada: New commemorative coin and specially struck medallion celebrate the centenary anniversary of the Canadian National Institute for the Blind

The Royal Canadian Mint have launched (21st March) a new silver commemorative coin and bronze medallion specially designed in celebration of the centenary anniversary of the Canadian National Institute for the Blind (CNIB). Working with a partially sighted artist and adding braille to a Canadian coin for the first time, the Royal Canadian Mint has launched a finely crafted and innovative silver coin and bronze medallion set honouring the 100th year of the Canadian National Institute for the Blind. This limited-edition collector set celebrates a century of providing invaluable assistance to generations of blind and partially sighted Canadians and the incredible difference the CNIB has made in the lives of blind and partially sighted Canadians over the last 100 years.

Presiding over the launch of the two-piece coin and medallion set was the Royal Canadian Mint’s CEO and President Sandra Hanington, who commented: “This coin and medallion set is a beautiful work of art which celebrates the strength and resilience of extraordinary Canadians who inspire us all.” Also presiding over the launch was John M. Rafferty, president and CEO of the CNIB, who added his comments, “We are honoured the Royal Canadian Mint has chosen to tell CNIB’s story of a century of dedication to people who are blind and partially sighted,” further commenting “We’re delighted to have a memento as enduring and symbolic as a commemorative coin set to mark this important milestone in CNIB’s history.”

The coin and medallion set was designed by Canadian artist Meghan Sims of Kitchener, Ontario, who was herself born with a rare visual condition called Achromatopsia and is fully colour blind. Her unique visual perception of the world around her has shaped and become the primary characteristic of her artistic style. Since mint collectibles are normally encapsulated to maintain their pristine condition, a medallion is included in this anniversary set and intentionally presented without a capsule so that the braille engraving of the legend “CNIB-100-INCA”, as well the entire relief of its design, can be experienced through touch alone.

In providing a unique tactile experience, the medallion captures many of the design elements found on the reverse side of the silver coin. These include the number “100” engraved in braille, an abstract eye over a mountain scene to represent the foundation of the CNIB and a curved horizon evoking an eyelid, along which seven jack pines in honour of each of the CNIB’s founding members. The jack pine was chosen as a symbol of the strength and resilience of people living with sight loss.

The coin’s obverse features the effigy of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, designed by Canadian artist Susanna Blunt, and has been used on all circulating and many commemorative coins since 2003.

Denom.	Metal	Weight	Diameter	Quality	Maximum Mintage
Medallion	Bronze	62.6 g	52 mm	Antique	3,000
$30	.999 Silver	62.6 g	50 mm	Proof with applied colour

The Two-Ounce Pure Silver Coin and Bronze Medallion Set – 100th Anniversary of the Canadian National Institute for the Blind has a limited mintage of 3,000 sets and is available for purchase by contacting the mint at 1-800-267-1871 in Canada, 1-800-268-6468 in the U.S., or online. The set is also available at the Royal Canadian Mint’s boutiques in Ottawa and Winnipeg, as well as through the mint’s global network of dealers and distributors, including participating Canada Post outlets.

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