Trivia - The coin that shouldn't be

Discussion in 'Clinker - In Memoriam' started by Clinker, Jan 17, 2007.

  1. Clinker

    Clinker Coin Collector

    First...some background information on the original Canadian Loonie Dollar Coin:

    The dollar has a loon on the reverse and was issued on June 30,1987 to replace the Canadian paper $1.00 note. The loon coin is composed of Aureate (91.50% nickel, 7.48% copper and 1.02% tin).

    click for image: http://worldcoingallery.com/countries/coin.php?image=img8/35-157&desc=Canada%20km157%201%20Dollar%20(1987-1989)%20Loon

    You probably already know this, but do you know

    the planned dollar coin for 1987 was to have the old "voyager" reverse?

    The Royal Candain Mint decided to have the new 1987 dollar coin dies made in Ottawa and shipped to their facilities in Winnipeg via a courier service named Canada Post.

    The normal (for security reasons) method of transporting coin dies was to use a high-security company (like Brinks) and split-ship the obverse dies and reverse dies.
    On November 3, 1986 the Ottawa facilities handed over both dies (in one package) without asking the person, representing himself as an employee of Canada Post, for identification. The dies never made it to Winnipeg.
    An investigation by the Royal Mounted Police led them to believe the dies were merely lost in transit, but some mint employees didn't concur with that assertation and, in order to prevent thieves from minting their own coinage, decided to have new reverse dies made. They selected a loon design rendered by Robert-Ralph Carmichael. The mint director quickly gained approval from the government for the change of design on the reverse.
    Dies were made and the "Loonie" dollars were released to the public right on the previously scheduled date (June 30, 1987).
    In the following Olympic years Loonies were used to create an aura of luck for the Canadian teams. When the Loonies were present, the teams won, when not present, the teams lost. They became known as Lucky Loonies.

    PS1. Before the Loonies became good luck symbols because of their use in the 1998 Olympics, let me inform you of a not-so-well-known fact. The character Michael Eddington of Star Trek's Deep Space Nine, in an episode called "Blaze of Glory" , (which aired May 12, 1997) had a family heirloom from the 22nd century which he referred to as his, "Canadian Lucky Loonie."

    PS2. The Loonie has become such an intergrel symbol of Canadian currency that newspaper articles discuss the rate at which the Loonie is trading against the United States dollar. It is so widely recognized, that, in 2006 the Royal Csanadian Mint secured the rights to the name "Loonie."

    PS3. The Canadian town of Echo Bay, Ontario, home of the Loon reverse designer Robert-Ralph Carmichael honored him and his design by erecting an enormous Loonie near the highway.

    Clinker
     
    MIGuy, alurid, Troodon and 13 others like this.
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  3. acanthite

    acanthite ALIIS DIVES

    That was some fun trivia, Clinker, thanks!
     
  4. Clinker

    Clinker Coin Collector

    Thanks...acanthite...

    for reading and commenting...

    Clinker
     
  5. Treashunt

    Treashunt The Other Frank

    thanks, Clinker.
     
  6. Clinker

    Clinker Coin Collector

    To Treashunt

    Thanks Treashunt...

    Good to hear from you...

    Clinker
     
  7. USS656

    USS656 Here to Learn Supporter

    Thanks for the trivia...

    Did the original dies ever surface?

    Darryl
     
  8. Clinker

    Clinker Coin Collector

    To USS656

    No....Never recovered! As far as anyone knows, Canada Post was't made to repay the mint for the cost of the dies nor the shipping costs.

    Clinker
     
  9. Jim M

    Jim M Ride it like ya stole it

    Now that was intersting reading. Keep em coming Clinker.
     
  10. Clinker

    Clinker Coin Collector

    To Jim M

    Jim M...

    Thanks... and Civil War Tokens are next!

    Clinker
     
  11. Jason Hoffpauir

    Jason Hoffpauir Avid Coin Collector

    Very interesting trivia. I thoroughly enjoyed reading it. <thumbs up>
     
  12. sam_raph

    sam_raph Active Member

  13. saltysam-1

    saltysam-1 Junior Member

    linker had many detailed facts that pertained to his posts. A lot of trivial as well. I'm at the age which may allow me to finally meet him. However, earthly objects may not be there. especially money. Perhaps some photographs instead? :>)
     
  14. saltysam-1

    saltysam-1 Junior Member

     
  15. green18

    green18 Unknown member Sweet on Commemorative Coins Supporter

    Long life and good health to ya, Mel..........Good to see that Clinker is not forgotten.
     
    saltysam-1 likes this.
  16. Coinman1974

    Coinman1974 Research, Research, Research

    Wonderful write up by a wonderfully missed member of CT!
     
  17. charcole64

    charcole64 Member

    Very interesting thank you for sharing
     
  18. giorgio11

    giorgio11 Senior Numismatist

    Vivat Clinker!
     
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