Tomb of the Unknown Soldier $2 Coins

Summary#

The federal government issued the Order Authorizing the Issue of Two Two-dollar Commemorative Circulation Coins Specifying the Characteristics and Determining the Designs (Tomb of the Unknown Soldier) (registration SOR/2025-40) to let the Royal Canadian Mint produce two two-dollar circulation coins marking the 25th anniversary of the Unknown Soldier’s repatriation. The order was approved on February 25, 2025 and published in the Canada Gazette on March 12, 2025; the coins will be released in the lead-up to Remembrance Day 2025.

What it does#

• Authorizes the Royal Canadian Mint to mint and issue two two-dollar circulation coins with the same design in two versions: one with colour and one without colour.
• Specifies the coin size as 28.03 mm in diameter.
• Sets the obverse (front) design to feature the effigy of His Majesty King Charles III by Steven Rosati and the year 2025.
• Sets the reverse (back) design to show four members of the Canadian Armed Forces saluting behind the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, a poppy (coloured on one version), artist initials “ML,” and inscriptions in English and French naming the Tomb and the denomination.
• Specifies edge inscriptions and security marks that will appear on the outer ring of the coins.
• Directs the Mint to begin production at its Winnipeg facility and to distribute coins through financial institutions and public coin exchanges.

Who's affected#

• Everyday Canadians who use cash may receive these commemorative two-dollar coins in change.
• Coin collectors, hobbyists, and people who exchange coins at banks are likely to notice and seek out the special versions.
• The Royal Canadian Mint and financial institutions will handle production and distribution.
• Veterans, serving military members, and families connected to military remembrance may be particularly interested because the coins honour the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
• Small businesses and the general economy are not expected to be affected.

Why it matters#

• These coins mark the 25th anniversary of the Unknown Soldier’s return and are meant to honour those who have served or died in Canada’s military service.
• Commemorative circulation coins circulate like regular money but are often collected and removed from circulation, so they can raise public awareness and become keepsakes.
• The government says there is no added cost to Canadians or businesses for using the coins; they are issued at face value and distributed through normal banking channels.