National Indigenous Peoples Day $2 Coins

Summary#

This order lets the Royal Canadian Mint issue two commemorative circulation coins worth $2 each to mark National Indigenous Peoples Day (annually on June 21). The two coins share the same design; one will be produced with colour and one without.

What it does#

• Authorizes the Mint to produce 2 circulation coins of $2 each. The coins have a diameter of 28.03 mm.
• The reverse design brings together symbols and artwork representing First Nations, Inuit and Métis cultures. One version of the coin will include colour; the other will not.
• The obverse uses the effigy of Queen Elizabeth II by Susanna Blunt, with a commemorative addition of the years 1952 and 2022 and four dots in a diamond shape to mark the end of her reign.
• The outer ring and edge include standard markings such as the inscription “CANADA” and “2 DOLLARS,” artist initials, and security features described in the order.

Who's affected#

• The Royal Canadian Mint — it will design, produce and distribute the coins.
• People living in Canada who use cash — the coins will go into general circulation through banks and public coin exchanges.
• Coin collectors and members of Indigenous communities (First Nations, Inuit, Métis) — the design was developed to reflect and honor their cultures, and collectors may remove special coins from circulation.
• Businesses and the public generally are not expected to face extra costs from this program.

Why it matters#

• The coins are meant to raise public awareness of National Indigenous Peoples Day and to celebrate Indigenous art, history and cultures in a visible, everyday way.
• Because these are regular circulation coins, many Canadians could see them in daily transactions. That helps reach a broad audience without extra cost to the public.
• The obverse changes mark a short transitional moment in Canada’s coinage between the late Queen’s effigy and the future effigy of the King, as previously announced by the government.
• The Mint conducted public research (a national sample of 2,324 respondents and an additional 400 Indigenous respondents) and reported strong support for the design (93% liked it), and it consulted Indigenous organizations while developing the artwork.