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Get ready, coin collectors! Canada is about to introduce a beautiful new $2 coin into circulation, and this colourful new toonie is almost guaranteed to brighten up your change.
On Tuesday, November 5, the Royal Canadian Mint unveiled the new coin, designed to celebrate the culture and traditions of Inuit Nunangat.
But this isn’t just any toonie. For the first time, four Inuit artists—Tegan Voisey, Thomassie Mangiok, Charlotte Karetak, and Mary Okheena—came together to craft its stunning design, each representing their own region in Inuit Nunangat.
The result is a work of art honouring Nuliajuk, the spirit of the sea in Inuit culture. In the coin’s inner circle, Nuliajuk is depicted in a traditional atigi (parka), surrounded by Arctic animals such as a walrus, beluga whales, a seal, and Arctic char, each one symbolic of the northern landscape.
Four uluit (traditional Inuit knives) orbit Nuliajuk on the coin’s outer ring, each uniquely styled to represent the artists’ respective regions.
On the other side of this coin, you’ll find a portrait of King Charles III, designed by Canadian artist Steven Rosati, marking the ongoing transition to featuring Canada’s new monarch.
The Royal Canadian Mint hopes this new toonie will spark celebration and curiosity about Inuit culture and inspire people across Canada to learn more about Inuit Nunangat.
In a statement on Tuesday, Natan Obed, President of Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami, said, “Nuliajuk’s story is one of the most important in Inuit culture, and we are excited that she will now be honoured in Canadian currency, the way we have honoured her in our hearts and imaginations since time immemorial.”
These pretty toonies will officially start circulating on November 7, 2024, and with only three million minted—and just two million of them in colour—these could be a rare find!
However, if you’re an avid collector, you don’t have to wait to spot one in your change. The Royal Canadian Mint is releasing limited-edition rolls of these toonies for $79.95, available in both coloured and uncoloured versions.
This release follows a year of noteworthy circulation coins, including a toonie in April commemorating the Royal Canadian Air Force’s 100th anniversary and a summer loonie celebrating Canadian author L.M. Montgomery and her beloved “Anne of Green Gables.”
This article’s cover image was used for illustrative purposes only.
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