Canadian Mint Offers 2011 Silver $20 Coin at Face Value

The Royal Canadian Mint is now offering Canadian residents the opportunity to purchase a legal tender 2011 $20 coin at face value. More intriguing, the coin is composed of .9999 fine silver instead of the cheaper combinations of metals which are within standard circulating coinage.

The amount of the precious metal is far from token. Each of the Canadian $20 coins weighs 7.96 grams, giving them a melt value equal to about one quarter of an ounce of pure silver.

That melt value is about $7.50 using a spot silver price of $30 an ounce. (Silver ended just above the $30 an ounce mark on Thursday.)

The $20 coin features an attractive reserve design depicting five maple leaves that form a "C." Superimposed over the largest maple leaf is the legend "CANADA." Additional inscriptions include "20 DOLLARS," "FINE SILVER," "9999 — 9999," "ARGENT PUR," and the date "2011." Also shown are the initials "CS," denoting Cosme Saffioti who designed the reverse.

The obverse design, by Susanna Blunt, is an image of Queen Elizabeth II. Circulating the portrait is her name, "D," "G," and REGINA".

The 2011 $20 coin has a diameter of 27 mm, a serrated (reeded) edge and a specimen finish. The Royal Canadian Mint has set their mintage ceiling at 200,000, with a per customer order limit of 3.

The silver coins may be ordered directly from the Mint’s website (www.mint.ca) for $20. Free lettermail shipping is available.

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.