HAPPY EASTER !
WESOŁYCH ŚWIĄT WIELKANOCNYCH !
JOYEUSES PÂQUES !
FELICES PASCUAS !
TROYAK EXECUTIVE TEAM is informing all members, colleagues, collectors, and Polonia at large, that Club meetings taking place at John Paul II Polish Cultural Centre, 4300 Cawthra Rd. (just south of Hwy. 403), Mississauga, Ontario. The new members are always welcome. www.polishculturalcentre.ca
ADRES SPOTKAÑ KLUBOWYCH ! Zarząd Główny Klubu “Troyak” informuje wszystkich członków kolekcjonerów, sympatyków oraz całą Polonię, że spotkania klubowe odbywają się w Polskim Centrum Kultury im. Jana Pawła II, przy 4300 Cawthra Rd. (na południe od autostrady 403), Mississauga, Ontario. Zapraszamy nowych członków do prężnego. Klubu “Troyak”. www.polishculturalcentre.ca
“TROYAK” CLUB NEXT MEETINGS …
NASTĘPNE SPOTKANIA KLUBU “TROYAK” …
Sunday 27th April 2025 @ 4:30 p.m.
25th May 2025
22nd June 2025
July & August 2025 –
Summer break … Letnie wakacje …
TROYAK CLUB @
Roncesvalles Polish Festival 2025
Saturday – September 13th, 2025 &
Sunday – September 14th, 2025
https://polishfestival.ca www.kazimierz.org
St. Casimir’s Church Parish Hall …
156 Roncesvalles Ave. Toronto, Ontario
Stamp Exhibit … Pope John Paul II on World Stamps
and Displays of Coins, Stamps, Collectibles
by Troyak Club Members.
Roncesvalles Polish Festival
www.troyakclub.com
28th September 2025
26th October 2025
23rd November 2025
Sunday – 30th November 2025 @ 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Mississauga Coin & Stamp Show
December 2025 … Happy Holidays!
KWIECIEŃ –
MIESIĄC PAMIĘCI OFIAR ZBRODNI KATYŃSKIEJ … 1940
APRIL –
MONTH MEMORY OF VICTIMS OF THE KATYN MASSACRE … 1940
Wielkanoc
Easter
www.poczta-polska.pl
2025-02-25 … Nominał znaczka: 4,90 zł … Autor projektu: Agnieszka Sancewicz; Ilość znaczków w emisji: 1; Format znaczka: 25,5 x 31,25 mm; Technika druku / Papier: Rotograwiura / Fluorescencyjny; Arkusz sprzedażny: 100; Nakład: Ekonomiczny S, & Priorytetowy S, nakład wielomilionowy powtarzalny.
2025-02-25 … Denomination: 4,90 PLN … Designer: Agnieszka Sancewicz; Number of stamps in issue: 1; Stamp size: 25,5 x 31,25 mm; Paper: Fluorescent; Printing techniques: Rotogravure; Sales sheet: 100; Print run: Economy S, & Priority S, multi-million repeat edition.
1. Dywizja Pancerna – Odyseja Wolności
1st Armored Division – Odyssey of Freedom
www.poczta-polska.pl
2025-02-28 … Nominał znaczka: 4,90 zł … Autor projektu: Agata Tobolczyk; Ilość znaczków w emisji: 1; Format znaczka: 31,25 x 39,50 mm; Technika druku / Papier: Offset / Fluorescencyjny; Nakład: 144 000 szt.; Arkusz sprzedażny: 12 znaczków w układzie tête-bêche;
2025-02-28 … Denomination: 4,90 PLN … Author of the stamp design:: Agata Tobolczyk; Number of stamps in issue: 1; Stamp size: 31,25 x 39,50 mm; Paper: Fluorescent; Printing techniques: Offset; Sales sheet: 12 characters in a tête-bêche arrangement; Print run: 144 000 pcs.
100-lecie zawarcia Konkordatu
między Stolicą Apostolską a Rzecząpospolitą Polską
www.nbp.pl
Narodowy Bank Polski jest centralnym bankiem państwa odpowiadającym za politykę pieniężną i stabilność cen. Jego funkcje określa Konstytucja Rzeczypospolitej Polskiej i ustawa o NBP. NBP ma wyłączne prawo emisji pieniądza. Jako bank centralny nie prowadzi rachunków bankowych obywateli, nie przyjmuje od nich lokat, nie udziela kredytów. Prowadzi natomiast obsługę budżetu państwa, a także podmiotów sektora finansów publicznych. Gromadzi rezerwy walutowe państwa i zarządza nimi. Pełni funkcję banku banków, tworząc warunki do działania systemu bankowego. Jest również jednym z najważniejszych ośrodków naukowo-analitycznych w dziedzinie ekonomii i rynków finansowych. Emisja wartości kolekcjonerskich stanowi okazję do upamiętniania ważnych historycznych rocznic i postaci oraz do rozwijania zainteresowań polską kulturą, nauką i tradycją. 6 lutego 2025 roku Narodowy Bank Polski wprowadził do obiegu srebrną monetę o nominale 20 zł „100-lecie zawarcia Konkordatu między Stolicą Apostolską a Rzecząpospolitą Polską”.
Nominał: 20 zł … metal: Ag 999/1000; stempel: lustrzany, druk UV; wymiary: 40,00 × 28,00 mm; masa: 28,28 g; brzeg (bok): gładki; nakład: do 8000 szt.; Projektantka: Dominika Karpińska-Kopiec; Emitent: NBP; Na zlecenie NBP monety wyprodukowała Mennica Polska SA.
Na rewersie monety przedstawiono sylwetki papieża Piusa XI i prezydenta Stanisława Wojciechowskiego, których podpisy widnieją na dokumencie ratyfikacyjnym. Na awersie monety umieszczono odcisk pieczęci państwowej Rzeczypospolitej Polskiej z ostatniej strony oryginalnego dokumentu ratyfikacyjnego sporządzonego w języku francuskim, a także fragment tekstu: „Salut: Un Concordat entre le Saint-Siège et la République de Pologne ayant été signé à Rome le dix Février mil neuf cent vingt cinq, Concordat, dont la teneur suit:” („W dniu dziesiątym lutego tysiąc dziewięćset dwudziestego piątego roku podpisany został w Rzymie Konkordat pomiędzy Stolicą Apostolską a Rzecząpospolitą Polską, który słowo w słowo brzmi jak następuje:”).
Konkordat między Stolicą Apostolską a Rzecząpospolitą Polską został podpisany 10 lutego 1925 r., po zaledwie sześciu miesiącach negocjacji. Głównym negocjatorem ze strony polskiej był minister Stanisław Grabski, przywódca Narodowej Demokracji i brat ówczesnego premiera Władysława Grabskiego. Tak wspominał swoją audiencję u papieża Piusa XI, przyjaciela Polski, który w latach 1919–1921 pełnił funkcję nuncjusza apostolskiego w Polsce jako Achille Ratti: „Powiedział mi on, że z chęcią przyznał państwu polskiemu większe uprawnienia, niż daje władzy państwowej jakikolwiek inny nowoczesny konkordat, bo wie, w jak trudnym położeniu znajduje się Polska wskutek swej geograficznej pozycji, a dla całego świata chrześcijańskiego trzeba, by była jak najsilniejszą”.
Słowa te nie straciły na aktualności. Zarówno Rosja, jak i Niemcy kontestowały kończący I wojnę światową traktat wersalski i towarzyszące mu dokumenty pokojowe. W 1925 r. Polska musiała prowadzić politykę obronną ze względu na roszczeniową politykę Niemiec, które za pomocą dyplomacji i nacisków gospodarczych negowały nasze prawa do ziem zachodnich. Z kolei wobec Rosji sowieckiej – od 1922 r. związanej z Niemcami antywersalskim traktatem z Rapallo – również należało wykazywać szczególną czujność z powodu przerzucania przez granicę komunistycznych agitatorów dążących do oderwania wschodnich części terytorium Polski.
Umowa międzynarodowa między II Rzecząpospolitą a Stolicą Apostolską, a wraz z nią stały podział terytorium odrodzonej Polski na metropolie i diecezje wzmacniały stabilizację naszych granic, natomiast katolickiej większości dawały poczucie utożsamienia się z wolną ojczyzną. Dlatego przy ratyfikacji konkordatu przez parlament nawet lewica – wroga umowie i opowiadająca się za rozdziałem Kościoła od państwa – nie zdecydowała się na ostentacyjne głosowanie przeciwko jego podpisaniu. Część posłów wstrzymała się od głosowania. Z kolei przedstawiciele stronnictw narodowo-chadeckich i konserwatywnych oraz ludowcy z „Piasta” przyjęli w głosowaniu umowę z nieskrywaną satysfakcją. We wrześniu 1945 r. władze narzucone przez Moskwę zerwały jednostronnie konkordat z 1925 r. Nowa umowa powstała dopiero po odzyskaniu przez Polskę niepodległości, w dobie pontyfikatu św. Jana Pawła II, w 1993 r. Do dziś stanowi gwarancję należytego rozumienia przez naród nadzwyczajnej roli katolicyzmu na ziemiach polskich. Informacja: Jan Żaryn.
100th Anniversary of the Concordat
between the Holy See and the Republic of Poland
www.nbp.pl
Narodowy Bank Polski is the central bank of the State, responsible for its monetary policy and price stability. The Bank’s functions are described in the Constitution of the Republic of Poland and the Act on NBP. NBP holds the exclusive right to issue the currency of the Republic of Poland. As the central bank, it does not provide accounts for the general public, accept deposits from or extend loans to individuals. It acts as a banker to the State budget and public sector entities. NBP also holds and manages the foreign exchange reserves of the State. Finally, it functions as a banker to banks, creating conditions for the operation of the Polish banking system. Narodowy Bank Polski is one of the most important research and analytical centres in the fields of economics and financial markets. Issuing collector items is an occasion to commemorate important historic figures and anniversaries, as well as to develop the interest of the public in Polish culture, science and tradition. On 6 February 2025, Narodowy Bank Polski issued into circulation a silver coin “100th Anniversary of the Concordat between the Holy See and the Republic of Poland”, with a face value of 20 złoty.
Face value: 20 zł … Metal: Ag 999/1000; Finish: proof, UV printing; Dimensions: 40.00 × 28.00 mm; Weight: 28.28 g; Edge (side): plain; Mintage: up to 8,000 pcs; Designer: Dominika Karpińska-Kopiec; Issuer: Narodowy Bank Polski; The coins, commissioned by Narodowy Bank Polski, were struck by Mennica Polska SA.
The reverse of the coin depicts the silhouettes of Pope Pius XI and President Stanisław Wojciechowski, whose signatures appear on the ratification document. The obverse of the coin features the imprint of the state seal of the Republic of Poland on the last page of the original document of ratification in French, as well as an extract from the text: “Salut: Un Concordat entre le Saint-Siège et la République de Pologne ayant été signé à Rome le dix Février mil neuf cent vingt cinq, Concordat, dont la teneur suit:” (On the tenth day of February, one thousand nine hundred and twenty-five, the Concordat between the Holy See and the Republic of Poland was signed in Rome, word for word as follows:).
The concordat between the Holy See and the Republic of Poland was concluded on 10 February 1925, after only six months of negotiations. The main negotiator on the Polish side was Minister Stanisław Grabski, leader of the National Democracy Party and brother of the then Prime Minister Władysław Grabski. This is how he recalled his audience with Pope Pius XI, a friend of Poland, who served as Apostolic Nuncio to Poland as Achille Ratti from 1919 to 1921: “He told me that he was happy to grant the Polish state more powers than any other modern concordat gives to the state authority, because he knows how difficult the situation of Poland is due to its geographical position, and that for the entire Christian world, it is necessary for Poland to be as strong as possible.”
These words have not lost their relevance. Both Russia and Germany contested the Treaty of Versailles that ended World War I and the accompanying peace documents. In 1925, Poland had to pursue a defensive policy because of Germany’s demanding policy, which denied Poland’s rights to western lands through diplomacy and economic pressure. On the other hand, special vigilance also had to be exercised vis-à-vis Soviet Russia – linked to Germany since 1922 by the anti-Versailles Treaty of Rapallo – due to the transfer of communist agitators across the border, striving to separate the eastern parts of Polish territory.
The international agreement between the Second Polish Republic and the Holy See, and with it the permanent division of the territory of the reborn Poland into metropolises and dioceses, strengthened the stability of its borders, while for the Catholic majority it gave a sense of identification with the free homeland. Therefore, at the ratification of the concordat by the parliament, even the left – hostile to the agreement and in favour of the separation of the Church and the State – did not decide to ostentatiously vote against its signing. Some MPs abstained from voting. On the other hand, representatives of the national Christian democratic and conservative parties, as well as the People’s Party ‘Piast’, accepted the agreement in the vote with undisguised satisfaction. In September 1945, the authorities imposed by Moscow unilaterally broke the concordat of 1925. The new agreement came into being only after Poland regained its independence, during the pontificate of St John Paul II, in 1993. To this day, it is a guarantee of the nation’s proper understanding of the extraordinary role of Catholicism on the Polish lands. Info: Jan Żaryn.
2025 … From Far and Wide (Part 4)
Single rate stamps
www.canadapost.ca
Add the From Far and Wide single-rate stamp to your collection with this convenient 4-stamp coil strip. This stamp ($1.44) is sold individually in post offices for a single individual mailing in Canada. This 4th edition of the From Far and Wide definitive issue showcases more of Canada’s most photogenic vistas, transporting Canadians – and their mail – from coast to coast to coast. This issue celebrates the incredible beauty and diversity of Canada’s natural and cultural landscapes. The single stamp coil strip is a convenient way to add this single denomination to your collection.
About From Far and Wide, Part 4 … From national park reserves to an historic abbey and an endless horizon of brilliant yellow sunflowers, captivating images of Canada’s natural and cultural beauty are once again the focus of this 4th edition of the From Far and Wide series. These stamps are sure to stir your sense of adventure and add some new stops to your sightseeing list.
About Point Prim Lighthouse … The single rate stamp features the Point Prim Lighthouse (PE). This heritage lighthouse, the first to be built on Prince Edward Island, was constructed in 1845, nearly 30 years before PEI joined Confederation. It is located in an open field at the end of Point Prim, which juts out into Northumberland Strait and marks the southeastern entrance to Hillsborough Bay and Charlottetown Harbour. The Point Prim Lighthouse is one of only a few cylindrical brick lighthouses – and one of the oldest lighthouse structures still standing – in Canada.
About the design … The stamp features a view of the Point Prim Lighthouse in Prince Edward Island, photographed by Sander Meurs. Stamp Designer: Stéphane Huot; Quantity Produced: 3,000. Issue Date: January 13, 2025.
From Far and Wide (Part 4) Coil strip of 4 U.S. rate stamps … Get this strip of 4 U.S. rate ($1.75) stamps – one of nine definitives in the 4th edition of the multi-year From Far and Wide series. The U.S. rate stamp, used for mailing to destinations in the United States, features an aerial photograph of the Thousand Islands in Ontario by Canadian photographer Ian Coristine. From Far and Wide showcases more of Canada’s most photogenic vistas, transporting Canadians – and their mail – from coast to coast to coast. This issue celebrates the incredible beauty and diversity of Canada’s natural and cultural landscapes. This 4th edition of the From Far and Wide definitive issue features a U.S. rate stamp for mailing to destinations in the United States. It is one of nine stamps available in the 4th edition of the From Far and Wide series, which also includes Permanent™, oversized and international mailing postage rates.
About Ontario’s Thousand Islands … The U.S. rate stamp features an aerial photograph of the Thousand Islands in Ontario by Canadian photographer Ian Coristine. It shows part of the Admiralty Islands, a grouping of islands in Thousand Islands National Park, near Gananoque, Ontario. The Thousand Islands are a group of some 1,800 islands in the St. Lawrence River, straddling the Canada–U.S. border in southeastern Ontario. between Kingston and Brockville. Popular for sightseeing and outdoor recreation, the islands are often explored by boat cruise, kayak, canoe or helicopter tour.
About the design … The stamp features a photograph of the Thousand Islands in Ontario by photographer Ian Coristine. It shows part of the Admiralty Islands, a grouping of islands in Thousand Islands National Park, near Gananoque, Ontario. Stamp Designer: Stéphane Huot; Quantity Produced: Continuous printing; Issue Date: January 13, 2025.
From Far and Wide (Part 4): Oversized rate stamps … Get this strip of 10 oversized rate ($2.61) stamps – one of nine definitives in the 4th edition of the multi-year From Far and Wide series. Oversized rate stamps are required for larger documents and unusually shaped envelopes weighing up to 100 grams. The stamp features a photograph of the Restigouche River in New Brunswick by Canadian photographer Guylaine Bégin. From Far and Wide showcases more of Canada’s most photogenic vistas, transporting Canadians – and their mail – from coast to coast to coast. This issue celebrates the incredible beauty and diversity of Canada’s natural and cultural landscapes. The oversized rate stamp is one of nine stamps available in the 4th edition of the From Far and Wide series, which also includes Permanent™, U.S. and international mailing postage rates. Oversized rate stamps are required for larger documents and unusually shaped envelopes weighing up to 100 grams.
About New Brunswick’s Restigouche River … The oversized rate stamp features a photograph of the Restigouche River in New Brunswick by Canadian photographer Guylaine Bégin. The Restigouche River in northern New Brunswick flows northeast for 200 kilometres from its source in the Appalachian Mountains to Chaleur Bay, an arm of the Gulf of St. Lawrence. The Upper Restigouche is included in the Canadian Heritage River System, in part for its history as a Mi’kmaq waterway, its habitat for bald eagles, moose and lynx, and its canoeing and kayaking appeal. The scenic river is also world renowned for its tranquil beauty and Atlantic salmon fishing, which attracts anglers from all over the world.
About the design … The stamp features a photograph of the Restigouche River in New Brunswick by Canadian photographer Guylaine Bégin. Pictured is a horseshoe-shaped stretch of the river surrounded by the forest in autumn, the trees dressed in orange-coloured leaves. Stamp Designer: Stéphane Huot; Quantity Produced: Continuous printing; Issue Date: January 13, 2025.
From Far and Wide (Part 4): International rate stamps … Get this strip of 10 international rate ($3.65) stamps – one of nine definitives in the 4th edition of the multi-year From Far and Wide series. The stamp, which is for mailing to international destinations, features the Qarlinngua sea arch in Arctic Bay, Nunavut, by Canadian photographer Clare Kines. From Far and Wide showcases more of Canada’s most photogenic vistas, transporting Canadians – and their mail – from coast to coast to coast. This issue celebrates the incredible beauty and diversity of Canada’s natural and cultural landscapes. This 4th edition of the From Far and Wide definitive issue features an international rate stamp for mailing to international destinations. It is one of nine stamps available in the 4th edition of the From Far and Wide series, which also includes Permanent™, U.S. and oversized mailing postage rates. The strip of 10 stamps is for use in mailing to international destinations.
About Nunavut’s Qarlinngua sea arch … The international rate stamp features a photograph of the Qarlinngua sea arch in Arctic Bay, Nunavut, by Canadian photographer Clare Kines. Pronounced kar-ling-wah, the Qarlinngua sea arch is located approximately 85 kilometres southwest of the community of Arctic Bay, Nunavut, at the north end of Baffin Island. The Inuktitut name means “like pants.” Locals estimate that the formation is more than 50 metres high. Wind and water erosion over many years likely contributed to the formation.
About the design … The international rate stamp features a photograph of the Qarlinngua sea arch in Arctic Bay, Nunavut, by Canadian photographer Clare Kines. The dramatic image on the stamp shows the stone arch and other nearby rock formations blanketed in snow. Stamp Designer: Stéphane Huot; Quantity Produced: Continuous printing; Issue Date: January 13, 2025.
Pysanka – $20 Fine Silver Coin
www.mint.ca
As winter ebbs, the sun returns to user in a season of renewal—it’s the eternal cycle of life, as represented on this 99.99% pure silver pysanka coin. The coin’s reverse is an intricate, original work of art that draws its inspiration from the cosmos, colourfully combining ancient Ukrainian motifs for love and passion, fire and light, to form a contemporary representation of the universe in all its strength, balance and benevolence for all mankind.
Face Value: $20 … Composition: 99.99% pure silver with selective colour; Mintage: 9,000; Weight: 31.82 g; Dimensions: 45 mm x 33 mm; Edge: Interrupted serrations; Finish: Proof; Artist: Natalie Kit (reverse), Steven Rosati (obverse); Packaging: Black clamshell with black beauty box.
DID YOU KNOW? … Many of the traditional symbols found on pysanky (the plural form of “pysanka”), and throughout Ukrainian decorative folk art, date back centuries and even to prehistoric times. Some of the most ancient motifs are geometric ones, like the triangles featured on this pysanka coin.
Designed by Canadian artist Natalie Kit, your pysanka coin’s reverse is a contemporary representation of the universe through cosmic symbols that embody endurance, protection and guardianship of life. Beneath the band containing the words “CANADA 2025”, the Ukrainian rose that traditionally serves as an expression of love and devotion also symbolizes the sun—the powerful giver of life and light, and the centre of all knowledge—and welcomes its return in the spring, when the cycle of life is renewed. The field in the centre portion contains dots that send down light from the heavens, as well as several eight-pronged stars, their fixed points signifying eternity, while the unbroken lines that run along the rim represent the continuous thread of life. The eight-point star motif in the centre symbolizes strength, life and fire, while the angled squares containing star variations create a different viewing experience from different angles.
Repeating throughout the design, the cross shapes symbolize life itself while the triangles represent the life-giving properties of the trinity of air, fire and water. Indented lines in a saw shape recall the life-giving properties of the sun, curled lines represent protection, and ladder lines represent both the stairway to the heavens and the ability to separate good from evil. The colours used throughout the design also carry symbolic weight: red, signifying action and joy; orange, the colour of passion and the everlasting sun; yellow, which signifies light and purity; and blue, the airy colour of good health. The obverse features the effigy of His Majesty King Charles III by Canadian artist Steven Rosati.
Natalie Kit, Artist… “As a child, gazing up at the stars with my mother ignited my passion for the cosmos, as she shared captivating tales of its wonders and the celestial dance that brought about our seasons. The Spring Equinox marks the beginning of a new cycle, representing the awakening of life and the infinite possibilities for the coming year, and the story of the red egg at Easter was a favourite of mine. These memories inspired this design, and I invoked them by prominently featuring red and using solar symbols and motifs to honour the sun’s life-giving energy and the power of the universe.”
Alicia Cook Sapene, Product Manager … The 2025 fine silver pysanka coin is an invitation to explore the depths of the cosmos through a contemporary representation of the universe. Created with meticulous attention to detail and vibrant hues accentuated by glimpses of silver, this latest masterpiece is sure to enhance your pysanka coin collection.
Janet C. Prebushewsky Danyliuk, Former Director and CEO, Ukrainian Museum of Canada … “Arguably one of the most recognizable cultural symbols, the pysanka has existed in various forms for centuries. Its power and light have never been diminished as it continues to live on in the cosmos, reflecting the heavens and earth and all the symbols therein to all who hold one in the palm of their hand. These pysanky are more than just beautiful talismans or intricate works of design—they are a reflection of the sun, the light, the love, and the life they both represent and depict. The pysanka has the ability to educate and inspire; to hold eternal and everlasting memories; and to seek the heart and soul of both the one who designs, writes and captures its plethora of meaning, and the recipient who receives its magic.”
80th Anniversary of the End of the
Second World War in Europe –
$20 Fine Silver Coin
www.mint.ca
The final phase of the Second World War in Europe brought the First Canadian Army to the Netherlands (1944-45), where the Canadians fought from town to town, and sometimes, house to house, bringing freedom and relief to Dutch civilians who had endured five years of hardship and occupation. The hero’s welcome so poignantly illustrated on this 99.99% pure silver coin captures the joyous liberation celebrations that took place in the spring of 1945. Amid the excitement of the “Sweetest Spring,” a young girl’s gift of a tulip symbolizes a lasting legacy of peace, gratitude and friendship. A fine silver symbol of the ties that bind Canada and the Netherlands.
Face Value: $20 … Composition: 99.99% pure silver; Mintage: 7,000; Weight: 31.39 g; Diameter: 38 mm; Edge: Serrated; Finish: Proof; Artist: Neil Hamelin (reverse), Steven Rosati (obverse); Packaging: Black clamshell with black beauty box.
DID YOU KNOW? … May 5 is Dutch Heritage Day in Canada and Liberation Day in the Netherlands. To this day, the Dutch people continue to take part in events and acts of remembrance for the more than 7,600 Canadians who died while fighting to bring freedom to the Netherlands; and in Canada, the enduring connection between our two nations is evidenced by the thousands of tulips that bloom each spring in Ottawa—a gift from the Dutch Royal Family and the people of the Netherlands.
Designed by Canadian artist Neil Hamelin, your coin features a view of the Liberation of the Netherlands in the spring of 1945. A procession of Canadian soldiers in wartime manufactured Canadian Military Pattern (CMP) vehicles can be seen rolling into a Dutch town, where they are given a hero’s welcome. Standing in a crowd of cheering Dutch civilians, a young girl offers a tulip to a soldier of the Canadian Army kneeling before her. The double dates “1945-2025” commemorate the 80th Anniversary of the end of the Second World War in Europe. The obverse features the effigy of His Majesty King Charles III by Canadian artist Steven Rosati.
Neil Hamelin, Artist … “It is a profound honour to have been entrusted with the task of designing this coin. My grandparents’ firsthand experiences of the Second World War in Europe deeply impacted me, their stories and struggles leaving an indelible mark. With this design, I aimed to encapsulate a poignant moment: a battle-hardened Canadian soldier kneeling before a young child and her mother, graciously accepting a tulip as a token of gratitude. This scene captures the essence of acknowledgment for the sacrifices made by so many.”
Mrs. Margriet Vonno, Dutch Ambassador in Ottawa … ‘’When my father was a little boy, he waved at the Canadian troops during the liberation of his – and my – hometown of Kampen, the Netherlands. This year marks the 80th Anniversary of the end of the Second World War. It is a time to remember and commemorate those brave people, who sacrificed everything. This coin makes such commemoration tangible. The coin, with the beautiful Canadian maple leaf and Dutch tulips, also symbolizes the strong friendship between Canada and the Netherlands. I’m very proud to see the result, the Canadian Mint has done a remarkable job!’’
80th Anniversary of the End of the
Second World War in Europe –
$100 Pure Gold Coin
www.mint.ca
The final phase of the Second World War in Europe brought the First Canadian Army to the Netherlands (1944-45), where the Canadians fought from town to town, and sometimes, house to house, bringing freedom and relief to Dutch civilians who had endured five years of hardship and occupation. The hero’s welcome so poignantly illustrated on this ¼ oz 99.99% pure gold coin captures the joyous liberation celebrations that took place in the spring of 1945. Amid the excitement of the “Sweetest Spring,” a young girl’s gift of a tulip symbolizes a lasting legacy of peace, gratitude and friendship. A pure gold celebration of friendship between Canada and the Netherlands.
Face Value: $100 … Composition: 99.99% pure gold; Mintage: 1,350; Weight: 7.8 g; Diameter: 20 mm; Edge: Serrated; Finish: Proof; Artist: Neil Hamelin (reverse), Steven Rosati (obverse); Packaging: Maroon clamshell with black beauty box.
DID YOU KNOW? … May 5 is Dutch Heritage Day in Canada and Liberation Day in the Netherlands. To this day, the Dutch people continue to take part in events and acts of remembrance for the more than 7,600 Canadians who died while fighting to bring freedom to the Netherlands; and in Canada, the enduring connection between our two nations is evidenced by the thousands of tulips that bloom each spring in Ottawa—a gift from the Dutch Royal Family and the people of the Netherlands.
Designed by Canadian artist Neil Hamelin, your coin features a view of the Liberation of the Netherlands in the spring of 1945. A procession of Canadian soldiers in wartime manufactured Canadian Military Pattern (CMP) vehicles can be seen rolling into a Dutch town, where they are given a hero’s welcome. Standing in a crowd of cheering Dutch civilians, a young girl offers a tulip to a soldier of the Canadian Army kneeling before her. The double dates “1945-2025” and the inscription “VICTORY/VICTOIRE” commemorate the 80th Anniversary of the end of the Second World War in Europe. The obverse features the effigy of His Majesty King Charles III by Canadian artist Steven Rosati.
Neil Hamelin, Artist … “It is a profound honour to have been entrusted with the task of designing this coin. My grandparents’ firsthand experiences of the Second World War in Europe deeply impacted me, their stories and struggles leaving an indelible mark. With this design, I aimed to encapsulate a poignant moment: a battle-hardened Canadian soldier kneeling before a young child and her mother, graciously accepting a tulip as a token of gratitude. This scene captures the essence of acknowledgment for the sacrifices made by so many.”
Mrs. Margriet Vonno, Dutch Ambassador in Ottawa … ‘’When my father was a little boy, he waved at the Canadian troops during the liberation of his – and my – hometown of Kampen, the Netherlands. This year marks the 80th anniversary of the end of the Second World War. It is a time to remember and commemorate those brave people, who sacrificed everything. This coin makes such commemoration tangible. The coin, with the beautiful Canadian maple leaf and Dutch tulips, also symbolizes the strong friendship between Canada and the Netherlands. I’m very proud to see the result, the Canadian Mint has done a remarkable job!’’
Gleaming Maple Leaves –
$100 Fine Silver Coin
www.mint.ca
The leaf of the silver maple (Acer saccharinum) is dramatic and multifaceted: its slender, coarsely toothed lobes and deep notches give it a sharp outline, but get up close and you’ll realize that it’s also bright green on one side, and silvery-white on the other.
These characters make it easy to identify a silver maple tree, and they are artfully explored on this 10 oz. 99.99% pure silver coin, which uses multifaceted engraving to create a striking effect. Radiating outward from the petiole, the angled lines form peaks and valleys that reflect light in an extraordinary way within each leaf—especially the top one, which is highlighted with rose gold plating that gives it a beautiful blushing hue. A blushing gleam, a modern aesthetic—a captivating maple celebration.
Face Value: $100 … Composition: 99.99% pure silver with selective rose gold plating; Mintage: 1,200; Weight: 311.54 g; Diameter: 76.25 mm; Edge: Serrated; Finish: Proof; Artist: Michelle Grant (reverse), Steven Rosati (obverse); Packaging: Black clamshell with black beauty box.
DID YOU KNOW? … One of the 10 maple species (genus Acer) that are native to Canada, the silver maple gets its common name from the pale silver-like undersides of its leaves, which seem to shimmer whenever a breeze ruffles the leaves on a sunny day.
The reverse design by Canadian artist Michelle Grant features an overlapping arrangement of three silver maple (Acer saccharinum) leaves brought to life by multifaceted engraving, with precisely angled lines rising and falling within each leaf shape, like multiple mirrors working to reflect brilliant light in different directions. The top leaf is further enhanced with rose gold plating, which also adds colour to the rim on both sides of the coin. The obverse features a repeating maple pattern behind the rose-gold plated effigy of His Majesty King Charles III by Canadian artist Steven Rosati.
Michelle Grant, Artist … “I was at my friend’s family’s farm in rural Quebec when I saw a silver maple for the first time. Its silver leaves were sparkling and dancing in the breeze, like a jewel in sunlight. The experience inspired me to capture these qualities and incorporate them into this gem of a coin”
Ken Farr, Dendrologist … “The silver maple leaf, with its silvery-white lower surface and central lobe that narrows to the centre of the leaf, is a distinctive feature in lowland forests of southern Ontario, Quebec and New Brunswick. With flowers that appear in late winter, it is the earliest native species of maple to flower.”
Cecily Mok, 3D Artist-Engraver … “This 10 oz. coin differs from previous multifaceted coins, since those ones used more geometrical forms to give shape to the elements. The outline is unmistakable here, with angled lines that rise and fall within the traditional leaf form—if you look closely, some of those straight lines are wider, and they’re not all equally distanced, which makes it more interesting. The engraving process wasn’t straight-forward, either, since the leaves overlap and we wanted to maximize the relief. I had to be strategic in how I stacked the sculpt: in order to avoid having a huge draft on the edge, and to allow the material to cross over the other two leaves, I gave the top leaf a slightly more sculpted shape before laying down the facets that, combined with the rose gold plating, produces a luminous effect.”
Melanie Luis, Product Manager … “It’s only fitting for this design to be presented on such a large coin—it deserves a lot of attention and will keep calling you back to view it over and over again!”
Heraldic Bear –
$50 Fine Silver EHR/UHR Coin
www.mint.ca
Emblematic of strength and courage in the wild, the black bear (Ursus americanus) is found in the forests of nearly every Canadian province and territory, including Ontario, where its prominent placement in the provincial coat of arms—on the crest above the shield—alludes to that province’s abundance of wildlife. Reimagined in a heraldically stylized manner on this 99.99% pure silver coin, the bear’s head is raised and its features pushed to the forefront thanks to Extraordinarily High Relief, allowing Ontario’s heraldic animal to confront the viewer eye to eye while maintaining a watchful presence over flora emblems engraved in Ultra High Relief. It’s a stunning rendering of Canadian emblematic art! EHR and UHR provide maximum relief height.
Face Value: $50 … Composition: 99.99% pure silver; Mintage: 2,000; Weight: 70 g; Diameter: 50 mm; Edge: Serrated; Finish: Proof; Artist: Cathy Bursey-Sabourin (reverse), Steven Rosati (obverse); Packaging: Black clamshell with black beauty box.
DID YOU KNOW? …Blazon is the language of heraldry: it provides an exact description of attitudes (position) and attributes in formal heraldic terminology that ensures an accurate reconstruction of the achievement. The blazon of the Ontario Coat of Arms describes the crest as “a bear passant Sable,” meaning a black bear (“Sable” is the term for black) walking with its right forepaw raised, while this coin’s forward-facing bear would be described as “a bear’s head affronty.”
Set against a woodgrain pattern, the reverse design by Cathy Bursey-Sabourin features a reimagining of the black bear crest from the Ontario Coat of Arms. Rendered in Extraordinarily High Relief (EHR) and placed in a cartouche frame, the bear’s head is presented in a heraldically stylized manner and featured in a forward-facing pose, allowing it to meet the viewer’s gaze. The surrounding wreath is engraved in Ultra High Relief (UHR) and composed of white pine (Ontario’s arboreal emblem), trillium (Ontario’s floral emblem) and stylized maple leaves (a nod to the Arms of Canada), while the pine cones, trillium buds and maple keys signify renewal and hope for the future. The woodgrain pattern also appears on the obverse, which features the effigy of His Majesty King Charles III by Canadian artist Steven Rosati.
Cathy Bursey-Sabourin, Artist … “The symbols in the wreath inspired me to think of a walk in the woods, a common activity enjoyed by many in the numerous provincial parks and hiking trails throughout the picturesque province of Ontario. Therefore, I placed the bear in a cartouche frame that used curled decoration to evoke the curls of wood generated when woodworking and carving or shaping a piece of wood with a plane. It was a real challenge to design this coin to incorporate the elements in such a way that facilitated the strict requirements for placement to gain maximum effect with the high relief format. I tried to place the elements to take best advantage of the relief depth and the Royal Canadian Mint’s extraordinarily talented engravers. It is a fun design and I hope you like it!”
Samy Khalid, Ph.D., Chief Herald of Canada … “This coin’s reverse was designed by Cathy Bursey-Sabourin, the greatest heraldic artist in Canada today, and showcases the bear on the crest of Ontario’s coat of arms. A symbol of strength and courage for some, wisdom and tenderness for others, the bear is the undisputed king of our forests. The bear stands in its natural habitat, surrounded by pine branches, maple leaves and trilliums, and proudly lifts its strong head to look out with an expressive, intelligent gaze.”
Louis-Rémi Labelle, Engraver-3D Artist … “By combining both technologies, we’re pushing the envelope in terms of the number of design elements that can be present on one Extraordinarily High Relief (EHR) coin. In the past, our EHR coins featured just one central element; here, we’ve combined the EHR bear with an intricate wreath that frames it beautifully, and since that wreath is in Ultra High Relief (UHR), we’re able to really play up the different shapes of the flowers and leaves. Engraving/modelling is the fun part, while the biggest challenge is processing the tooling for striking these coins—given the high relief, we had to take a completely different approach, and all the added details you see here definitely made it more challenging.”
2025 … O Canada Gift Card Set
www.mint.ca
Turn a moment into a cherished memory with the O Canada gift card set! Whether you’re looking for a special souvenir, a little piece of Canada to gift, or just a fun way to express your love for this country, the O Canada gift card set is your perfect keepsake for 2025. Inside the easy-to-mail, greeting-card packaging are five 2025 uncirculated coins, and one of those coins is an exclusive $1 coin featuring two classic images of Canada: our nation’s flag and the mighty polar bear, the beloved symbol of Canada’s Arctic region and its resilient spirit.
Set: Mintage:100,000; Finish: Brilliant Uncirculated; Packaging: Gift card packaging; Artist: Tony Bianco (reverse), Steven Rosati (obverse)
1 dollar … Composition: Three-ply brass finish-plated steel; Weight: 6.27 g; Diameter: 26.5 mm; Edge: Plain; Finish: Brilliant Uncirculated.
2 dollars … Composition Outer ring: Three-ply nickel finish plated steel; Inner core: Three-ply brass finish plated aluminum bronze; Weight: 6.99 g; Diameter: 28 mm; Edge: Interrupted serrations; Finish: Brilliant Uncirculated.
25 cents … Composition: Three-ply nickel finish plated steel; Weight: 4.4 g; Diameter: 23.88 mm; Edge: Serrated; Finish: Brilliant Uncirculated.
10 cents … Composition: Three-ply nickel finish plated steel; Weight: 1.75 g; Diameter: 18.03 mm; Edge: Serrated; Finish: Brilliant Uncirculated.
5 cents … Composition: Three-ply nickel finish plated steel; Weight: 3.95 g; Diameter: 21.2 mm; Edge: Plain; Finish: Brilliant Uncirculated.
DID YOU KNOW? … ***Canada is home to an estimated 16,000 polar bears, about two-thirds of the world’s total polar bear population. In Canada, polar bears reside in the Arctic regions stretching from the Yukon to Newfoundland and Labrador, and from the northerly Ellesmere Island south to James Bay—in fact, Churchill, Manitoba, has been dubbed the polar bear capital of the world (Churchill is also the name of the polar bear on Canada’s $2 circulation coin).
***Designed by Canadian artist Tony Bianco, the $1 coin in the 2025 O Canada Gift Card Set features a fun and uniquely Canadian take on timeless moments of celebration, by depicting a polar bear with two flag-waving cubs enjoying a spectacular firework display. The obverse features the effigy of His Majesty King Charles III by Canadian artist Steven Rosati.
Gleaming Maple Leaves –
$10 Fine Silver Coin
www.mint.ca
Even in the slightest breeze, the leaves of a silver maple tree shimmer and sway in the sunlight as they flash their silvery undersides. The effect is captured in this 99.99% pure silver portrait, in which the veined Acer saccharinum leaves have been rendered with multifaceted engraving, resulting in a dazzling new view of a famous Canadian emblem. Within the familiar leaf silhouette, the carefully sculpted and precisely angled lines rise and fall, reflecting and scattering light in different directions to produce a gleaming work of art—one that reflects the beauty of Canada’s most treasured symbol.
Face Value: $10 … Composition: 99.99% pure silver; Mintage: 25,000; Weight: 15.87 g; Diameter: 34 mm; Edge: Serrated; Finish: Reverse Proof; Artist: Michelle Grant (reverse), Steven Rosati (obverse); Packaging: Black clamshell with black beauty box.
DID YOU KNOW? … ***The silver maple is one of the 10 maple species (genus Acer) that were proclaimed Canada’s national arboreal emblem in 1996. While its common name refers to the bright undersides of its leaves, the scientific name Acer saccharinum is a nod to the silver maple’s sweet sap—though it’s not as sweet as the sap of a sugar maple (Acer saccharum), the preferred species for maple syrup production.
***The reverse design by Canadian artist Michelle Grant features an arrangement of three silver maple (Acer saccharinum) leaves brought to life by multifaceted engraving, with precisely angled lines rising and falling within each leaf shape, like mirrors working to reflect brilliant light in different directions. The obverse features the effigy of His Majesty King Charles III by Canadian artist Steven Rosati.
