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Centennial of flight in Canada featured on Royal Canadian Mint’s first collector coins of 2009

Jan. 9, 2009 – The Royal Canadian Mint today released its first new collector coins and gift products of 2009, choosing the centennial of flight in Canada as the theme of its highly anticipated 2009 Proof Silver Dollar. This coin leads a formation of annual releases consisting of $100, $200 and $300 face value gold issues, as well as proof, uncirculated and specimen coin sets celebrating popular and meaningful themes. The Mint's fine silver version of the Historical Commerce Collection, "new look" gift sets and new greeting card coins complete the line-up.

"The Royal Canadian Mint continues to stand out among the world's mints by producing collector coins of striking appearance and exceptional quality," said Ian E. Bennett, President and CEO of the Royal Canadian Mint. "The first collector coins of 2009 are shining examples of our passion for crafting coins of outstanding beauty and value for buyers from across Canada and around the world."

2009 PROOF SILVER DOLLAR – 100TH ANNIVERSARY OF FLIGHT IN CANADA (1909-2009)
Canadian history was made 100 years ago on the surface of a frozen Nova Scotia lake as the Silver Dart, Canada's first successful flying machine, celebrated its maiden flight on Feb. 23, 1909. From its proving grounds in Baddeck, Nova Scotia, Alexander Graham Bell's Aerial Experiment Association laid the groundwork for a century of Canadian distinction in the field of aeronautics. The Royal Canadian Mint is proud to showcase Canada's many flying icons, from the Silver Dart to Canada's Snowbirds, on a beautifully contrasting proof silver coin.

Designed by Ontario artist Jason Bouwman, this sterling silver dollar features an image of a young person running with arms spread like an airplane's wings, symbolizing humanity's timeless dream of flight. In the background, the silhouettes of the Silver Dart, the Avro Arrow and a "Snowbird" Tutor Jet, illustrate Canada rich aeronautic engineering legacy. A close look at the overall design also reveals the ingeniously composed image of our beloved maple leaf. Limited to a mintage of 50,000, the 2009 Proof Silver Dollar is available for $47.95 CDN. The brilliant uncirculated version of this coin also retails for $39.95 CDN and is limited to a mintage of 30,000.

The same design is reproduced on a selectively gold-plated proof dollar coin, which is exclusive to the Mint's 2009 Proof Set. Only 55,000 sets, with a suggested retail price of $99.95 CDN, are available world-wide.

All of the Mint's products are available directly from the Mint at 1-800-267-1871 in Canada, 1-800-268-6468 in the US, or on the Internet at www.mint.ca . The coins are also available at the Royal Canadian Mint's global network of dealers and distributors.

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 9001-2000 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. The Mint is an Official Supporter of the Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games and has undertaken to produce the most extensive circulation coin program in relation to the Olympic Games ever conceived by any mint worldwide, while also offering limited mintage collector coins and sets. Visit www.mint.ca/2010 for Vancouver 2010 keepsakes and gifts.