References are numbered in [brackets], which are listed here. A number after the dot gives the page in the source.

Last updated: 2023 October 23.

1996

January 26

• In Basel, Switzerland, the Basel International Coin Convention is held, over three days. The Royal Canadian Mint unveils the bimetallic $2 circulating coin, and a special collector coin. The collector coin has a gold inner core, and silver/gold outer ring. Mintage limited to 5000, price is $299.95. [168.4] [182.8] [257] [326]

February 19

• The Royal Canadian Mint officially launches the new $2 coin at Ben's De Luxe Delicatessan restaurant in Montreal, Quebec. The coin is bimetallic, 28mm outer rinng of nickel, with 16.8mm inner ring of copper-aluminum-nickel. This is Canada's first new circulating coin since 1935. Simultaneously, the Bank of Canada ceases production of $2 notes. [179.1] [181.1] [188] [257] [430.A4] [434.A3] [435.A3] [661.155] [847.18] [862.1] [1143.119] [1159.46] [1219.14]

April 16

• The Base Metal Coins Regulations, 1996, is announced, to come into force July 1. The 1c coin is to change to copper-plated zinc (34.73 grains) or copper-plated steel (36.27 grains). [488.1303]

June 6

• The Royal Canadian Mint announces that Altrista and Lasalle of the United States will produce copper-plated zinc blanks for Canada's 1c coins. [242.1]

(month unknown)

• The Royal Canadian Mint produces 500 phone cards featuring images of the 1996 $2 coin. 102 cards are sold before spelling errors ("Numisimatic", "Colardo") are noticed, and the remainder are destroyed. The cards were produced for sale during the ANA Convention in Denver, Colorado. [345.4]

July 18

• A Royal proclamation amends the Royal Canadian Mint Act, changing the specifications for the 1c coin to be 19.1 mm diameter, made of copper-plated zinc or copper-plated steel. [489.2594]

July 20

• In Montreal, a tractor trailor container is stolen from a CN rail yard, containing $3 million worth of $2 coins. [431.1]

September 25

• The Royal Canadian Mint completes production of 300 million 1996 $2 coins for circulation, one year ahead of schedule. [339.4]

September 28

• In St. Catherines, Ontario, Moore Numismatics conducts the auction at the TICF coin show. A 1921 50c coin graded as AU-55 (ICCS) / MS-61 (PCGS) sells for $60,000 to Todd Sawicki. [270.1] [275.1] [863.1]

October

• A consortium lead by Albern Coins and Foreign Exchange Ltd. buys a silver 1911 pattern dollar coin from Steve and Mary Marr, for an undisclosed price, greater than $500,000. [287.B10] [340.1] [408.1]

November 15

• Bowers & Merena hosts an auction of the Norweb Collection of Canadian Coins, in Baltimore, Maryland. The coins sell for about $2.75 million. Some examples:
  • 50 cents 1951 MS-67: US$90,200 ($121,400);
  • 25 cents 1885/6 SP-66: $45,900;
  • 5 cents 1884 N4 MS-62: $37,000;
  • 50 cents 1910 MS-65: $29,600;
  • 50 cents 1909 MS-64: $26,600.
  [231.10] [345.7] [350] [397.16] [432.A13]

December 20

• A Royal proclamation, effective January 1, 1997, sets the 1c coin as 19.1 mm diameter, made of bronze. [493.263]

1997

January 9

• A Royal proclamation specifies that the design of a 1997 $1 bronze-plated nickel coin depict a common loon preparing for flight from water, with dates 1987-1997. [494.531]

(month unknown)

• The Royal Canadian Mint unveils a $1 coin commemorating the 10th anniversary of the small $1 coin, dated "1987-1997". The coin depicts a flying loon, designed by Jean-Luc Grondin. The coin will be available only in the Specimen set and Oh Canada! set. 1997 coin sets will also include the $2 coin, new bronze-plated zinc 1-cent coin, and 50-cent coin with modified Coat of Arms. [349.1]
• The Royal Canadian Mint adds four high-speed presses to its mint facilities at Winnipeg, Manitoba. This raises its production capacity to 260 million coins per year. [420.1]
• The Royal Canadian Mint delays introduction of nickel-plated steel coins. [406.16]
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• Albern Coins and company sell the 1911 $1 silver pattern to an American coin collector through coin dealer Jay Parrino of The Mint. Price is over $1 million. [408.1]

July

• The 1c coin is changed to copper-plated steel or zinc. [526.33]

July 24

• The Royal Canadian Mint announces that no 1997-dated 25c or $1 coins would be struck for circulation. [397.24]

(month unknown)

• The Royal Canadian Mint shifts production of Uncirculated, Oh Canada!, and Baby gift sets from the Ottawa mint to the Winnipeg mint. [420.1]

October 23

• The first auction of the John Jay Pittman collection is completed. Some prices realized:
  • 1 cent 1936 dot, Gem Specimen: US$110,000 (CDN$170,000);
  • 10 cent 1936 dot: US$121,000 (CDN$185,000).
  [406.7] [444.7] [661.57,90] (October 21 [1195.48] [1218.22])

October 30

• The Minister of Public Works and Government Services and the Minister responsible for the Royal Canadian Mint announces that the Royal Canadian Mint will build a plating facility adjacent to the mint in Winnipeg. [406.15]

November

• The 16th edition (1998) of Coins of Canada by J.A. Haxby and R.C. Willey is released by publisher Unitrade Press, for $10.95. [407.21]

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