Who decides which designs are chosen for Canadian coins?
The Mint gets its ideas from contests, surveys and research and the general public. Recommendations are sent to the Government of Canada, which makes the final decision for all coin designs. Numismatic coins are approved by the Minister and circulation coins by the Governor in Council.
Striking Designs
Beautiful coins begin with beautiful designs. We take pains at the Mint to choose coin designs that resonate with Canadians. They must be meaningful, memorable - and reproducible on metal.
Selecting a theme While the obverse side of all Canadian coins bears the effigy of the reigning monarch, the reverse side displays a distinctive design. The themes are thoroughly researched. They are often based on events, places or milestones of national interest. Occasionally, we conduct public-opinion polls to help determine which themes Canadians find most interesting or evocative.
Choosing a design Once a theme has been fixed upon, the Royal Canadian Mint commissions artists to submit appropriate designs. We provide the artists with background information, design concepts, creative and technical guidelines, coin specifications, and samples of previous designs. While we traditionally enlist the services of well-known Canadian artists, many of the most distinctive designs in our collections are the work of the Mint's own staff of talented designers and engravers.
The art of coin design Coin designs must have artistic merit; they must accurately depict their subject matter; and they must reproduce effectively on metal blanks. The design for the two-dollar polar bear coin, for instance, was first scrutinized by a zoologist, who made sure the bear's anatomical details were correct. Coin-production experts then ascertained that upon minting, graphic details would be concentrated in the centre of the coin-not around the rim-and that a strong contour line would distinguish the bear from the background of the coin. It often happens that production experts at the Royal Canadian Mint suggest enhancements that will make a design "show" better on the round, metal surface of a coin.