2012 Canadian $2 Polar Bear/New Security Toonie Coin (Brilliant Uncirculated)

2012 Canadian $2 Polar Bear/New Security Toonie Coin (Brilliant Uncirculated)

Face Value: $2
Mintage: 89,185,000
Composition: Outer ring - multi-ply nickel plated steel, insert - multi-ply brass plated aluminum bronze
Weight (g): 6.92
Diameter (mm): 28
Finish: BU

While the new two-dollar coin maintains the traditional "Polar Bear" design, there are three visible changes:

• The addition of two laser marks of maple leaves, each within a circle, at the bottom of the coin's reverse – i.e. on the side with the Polar Bear design.
• A virtual image of two maple leaves will appear at the top of the coin – a different image is produced as the coin is turned from side to side. The virtual image is produced by engraving different patterns on each side of two-sided grooves on the face of the coin.
• Edge-lettering of the words "CANADA" and "2 DOLLARS" are engraved along the coin's outer edge.

Design:

2003 was the last year the Dora de Pedery-Hunt design of Her Majesty's effigy appeared on the two-dollar circulation coin. In June 2003, the Government of Canada announced that an updated effigy of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II would appear on all Canadian circulation coins in honour of the 50th anniversary of the Queen's coronation. This design is the work of artist Susanna Blunt, whose prior experience with Buckingham Palace included painting a portrait of Prince Edward. It is by no mistake that two-dollar circulation coins dated 2003 show both the "crowned" and "uncrowned" effigy of Her Majesty.