Canadian 2012 $20 Silver Farewell to the Penny Commemorative Coin at Face Value

The 2012 $20 Silver Farewell to the Penny Commemorative Coin has been released by the Royal Canadian Mint as the fifth 99.99% pure silver strike of the "Exchange $20 for $20" program.

Coins of this series have proven extremely popular with collectors not only because of their designs and silver content but also because the Mint sells each at face value.

This novel approach by the Royal Canadian Mint has resulted in a sell-out of each coin released. Not only are collectors obtaining a limited mintage coin struck from fine silver, they are doing it at the coin’s exact face value (plus shipping and handling).

Past $20 for $20 Silver Coins

The series debuted back in 2011 with the release of the Silver Maple Leaf Commemorative Coin with a mintage of 200,000. This strike sold out in less than one month despite only being available for purchase within Canada and a household order limit of three pieces.

That month mark was only slightly surpassed before a sell-out occurred on the second issue in the series, the 2011 $20 Silver Canoe Commemorative Coin which featured an increased 250,000 mintage.

With the same 250,000 mintage cap in place, the third 2012 $20 Silver Polar Bear Commemorative Coin and the fourth 2012 $20 Silver Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Commemorative Coin also attained sell-outs.

The newest release of the series depicts a "farewell to the penny" motif as Canada is eliminating the one cent coin from circulation. The budget related move was announced earlier this year with the last new cent coin struck by the Royal Canadian Mint on May 4, 2012.

The last coin in the "$20 for $20" series will get released in mid-November 2012. Its design will celebrate the holiday season.

Farewell to the Penny Commemorative Coin Designs and Specifications

Struck as legal tender of Canada, the Farewell to the Penny Commemorative Coin features a face value of $20. Each is composed of 7.96 grams of 99.99% pure silver, or approximately one quarter ounce of the precious metal.

Shown on the obverse of the coin is the Susanna Blunt effigy of Queen Elizabeth II. Obverse inscriptions include "ELIZABETH II" and "D G REGINA."

The reverse design by Jesse Koreck is emblematic of the Farewell to the Penny theme and shows the Maple Leaf design seen on one cent coins since 1937 as it floats in water. Reverse inscriptions include "20 DOLLARS," "FINE SILVER ARGENT PUR 9999," "CANADA" and "2012."

Each coin features a diameter of 27 mm and is struck to specimen quality. The Mint encapsulates the coin and places it in a clear vinyl pouch which is presented along with a certificate booklet.

While the limited mintage of 250,000 lasts, orders for the Farewell to the Penny Commemorative Coin may be placed directly from the Royal Canadian Mint website at www.mint.ca for $20 each, plus shipping and handling. A household order limit of three is in place.

About the Royal Canadian Mint

The Royal Canadian Mint is the Crown Corporation responsible for the minting and distribution of Canada’s circulation coins. An ISO 9001-2008 certified company, the Mint is recognized as one of the largest and most versatile mints in the world, offering a wide range of specialized, high quality coinage products and related services on an international scale.