New Quarter

So Canada made another new quarter, this one has a pink breast cancer ribbon on it. It's pretty neat. Did you know that the poppy quarter that came out last year was the first coloured coin minted in the world? Neat huh!

http://cnews.canoe.ca/CNEWS/Canada/2006/03/31/1514655-cp.html

"Pink-ribbon quarter unveiled by mint
By LORRAYNE ANTHONY

The breast cancer 25-cent piece is the second coloured coin for circulation to be produced by the Royal Canadian Mint is shown in this undated handout photo.

Next time a cashier hands you change, you may notice two-bits worth of colour in your palm. The newest quarter, a collaboration between the Royal Canadian Mint and the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation, is adorned with the image of a pink ribbon in the centre. The coin, which goes into circulation Saturday, is part of an effort to remind people of a disease that touches many lives.

Last year more than 21,000 women were diagnosed with breast cancer, and more than 5,000 women died of the disease.

"This coin will serve to remind all Canadians that by working together, we can contribute to creating a future without breast cancer," Lawrence Cannon, federal minister of transport and communities, said in a statement.

The mint will produce up to 30 million breast cancer coins. People can exchange a regular quarter for a pink-ribbon coin at Shoppers Drug Mart or Pharma Prix stores.

While the mint has created coins to commemorate anniversaries - such as the Terry Fox $1 coin in 2005 to mark the 25th anniversary of his Marathon of Hope - working with a cause is new.
"It's the first time we've actually tried to create an awareness for a cause," said Pam Aung Thin, vice-president of communication for the mint.


The pink-ribbon coin, designed by the mint's director of engraving Cosme Saffioti, is the second coloured coin to be produced for circulation. The first, a 25-cent red poppy coin issued in 2004, garnered attention as the world's first painted circulation coin.

Technical problems affected some of the poppy coins, including poor separation of black and red colours, and colour applied to the wrong side of coins.

The mint says the colouring process has been improved from two years ago. A heat curing step has been added, which means the colour should be able to withstand day to day use. However, harsh chemicals, friction and sharp objects could removed the colour.

In addition to the 25-cent piece, the mint is offering coin-embedded bookmarks at the participating pharmacies for $13.95 each. One dollar from each bookmark will go to the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation.

The mint also invited 12 Canadian designers to create one-of-a-kind fashions, jewelry and accessories to be auctioned off on the website www.mint.ca , with all the money going to the foundation."