Toronto 
A new toonie is making its way into Canadian change, marking a century of service. The Royal Canadian Mint has issued a $2 commemorative circulation coin celebrating the 100th anniversary of The Royal Canadian Legion, incorporated by Parliament in 1926.
Designed by Vlada Pashchenko, a 2023 winner of the Legion Youth Remembrance Contest, the coin recognizes the organization’s work supporting Veterans, serving military and RCMP members, their families, Remembrance and communities. It began circulating on August 24.
Here’s what you can spot on the new coin:
- Legion crest: Artist Vlada Pashchenko placed an adaptation of the Legion’s crest at the centre, surrounded by the motto Memoriam Eorum Retinebimus, translated as “We Will Remember Them” in English.
- Remembrance scene: In the foreground, silhouettes show a Legion member offering a Poppy to a child beside their mother, representing the idea of passing Remembrance forward to another generation nationally.
- Anniversary details: The reverse also carries the double date “1926-2026,” along with an adaptation of the Legion’s Poppy logo positioned between the coin’s micro-engraved security marks on the outer ring.
- King Charles III: The obverse features the effigy of His Majesty King Charles III, created by Canadian artist Steven Rosati, providing the standard royal portrait on this commemorative issue coin.
The Mint is producing three million coins, including two million colourized versions and one million uncoloured coins.
“This coin truly commemorates our milestone anniversary,” said Legion Dominion President Berkley Lawence, adding that he hopes Canadians appreciate imagery showing how “the next generation carries Remembrance forward in Canada.”
How to get one:
Canadians can expect to see the coin in their change as banks and businesses replenish their supplies of toonies.
For Collectors
Collector versions, including keepsake cards and rolls of 25 coins, are also available.
- Commemorative Collector Keepsake Card – 100th Anniversary of The Royal Canadian Legion: $14.95, Mintage 50,000
- $2 100th Anniversary of The Royal Canadian Legion Colourized Special Wrap Roll: $89.95, Mintage 25,000
- $2 100th Anniversary of The Royal Canadian Legion Non-colourized Special Wrap Roll: $89.95, Mintage 15,000
- $2 100th Anniversary of The Royal Canadian Legion Special Wrap Roll Box Set: $187.95, Mintage 5,000
