List of Royal Canadian Mint RCMP coins facts for kids
The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) are famous for their red uniforms and horses. The image of a "Mountie" on horseback is a well-known symbol of Canada. Today, the RCMP performs amazing horse riding shows called the Musical Ride. These shows are based on drills they practiced over a hundred years ago. Because the RCMP is such an important part of Canada's identity, their image has appeared on many Canadian coins.
The first coins to feature the RCMP were the 25-cent and one-dollar coins in 1973. A police officer named Paul Cederberg designed both of these coins. The 25-cent coin from 1973 is special because it has two different versions. One version has a larger picture of Queen Elizabeth II, and the other has a smaller, more detailed picture. It's thought that only about 10,000 of the "large bust" coins were made, making them quite rare! Later, in 1999, the Millennium series of 25-cent coins also showed a Mountie on the January and July coins.
The 1973 one-dollar silver coin had the same picture of the Queen on the front. The only difference for these dollar coins was the special cases they came in. Some came in a black leather case with a coat of arms, and others in a blue leather case with a shiny RCMP crest.
Contents
Twenty-Five Cent Coins
Canadian 25-cent coins have featured the RCMP several times. Here's a look at some of them:
| Year | Theme | Artist | Number Made | Special Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1973 | 100th Anniversary of the RCMP | Paul Cederberg | 135,958,589 | This coin honored the RCMP's 100 years of service. Paul Cederberg, a police officer, designed it. |
| 1999 | Millennium | P. Ka-Kin Poon | 12,238,559 | This coin was released in January 1999 as part of the Millennium series. |
| 1999 | Millennium | M.H. Sarkany | 16,537,018 | This coin was released in July 1999 as part of the Millennium series. |
| 2007 | Canada Day Coin | N/A | N/A | This was a special collector's coin, not for everyday use. It featured "MacLean the Mountie." |
Fifty Cent Coins
Fifty-cent coins featuring the RCMP are usually special collector's items. This means they are not made for everyday use in stores.
| Year | Artist | Number Made | Original Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | Janet Griffin Scott | 14,000 | $109.95 |
One Dollar Coins
The one-dollar coin has also celebrated the RCMP's history.
| Year | Theme | Artist | Number Made | Original Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1973 | RCMP Centennial | Paul Cederberg | 904,723 | $3.00 |
Other special one-dollar coins have also honored the RCMP:
| Year | Theme | Artist | Number Made (Proof) | Original Price (Proof) | Number Made (Brilliant Uncirculated) | Original Price (Brilliant Uncirculated) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1994 | 25th Anniversary of the last RCMP dog sled | Ian D. Sparkes | 178,485 | $24.50 | 65,295 | $17.95 |
| 1998 | 125th Anniversary of RCMP | Adeline Halvorson | 130,795 | $29.95 | 81,376 | $19.95 |
Seventy-Five Dollar Coins
These are very special, high-value coins, often made of precious metals like gold and silver.
| Year | Design | Artist | Number Made | Original Price | Release Date | Materials | Finish | Weight (grams) | Diameter (mm) | Special Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 | RCMP | Cecily Mok | 8,000 | $389.95 | February 24 | 58.33% gold, 41.67% silver | Proof (with color on the back) | 12 | 27 | Part of a series about Canadian culture and wildlife. |
Two Hundred Dollar Coins
These are also very valuable gold coins.
| Year | Theme | Artist | Number Made | Original Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1993 | Royal Canadian Mounted Police | Stewart Sherwood | 10,807 | $389.65 |
The 1993 $200 gold coin celebrated the RCMP's 130th anniversary. It showed a Mountie from the famous "RCMP Musical Ride" talking with children.
Gold Maple Leaf Coins
The Gold Maple Leaf is a well-known Canadian coin. In 1997, a special version featured a member of the RCMP Musical Ride.
| Year | Theme | Artist | Number Made | Original Price | Special Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1997 | 125th Anniversary of the RCMP | Ago Aarand | 12,913 | $310.00 US Funds | This coin had a guaranteed value of $310 US until January 1, 2000. Many of these coins were later melted down, making them quite rare today. |
Silver Maple Leaf Coins
A special Silver Maple Leaf coin was also made to honor the RCMP.
| Year | Theme | Artist | Number Made | Original Price | Special Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1998 | RCMP | Walter Ott, RCM Engravers | 25,000 | N/A | This coin was made for Canada Post, the Canadian postal service. |
