Royal Canadian Mint honours famous author with coins

Anne of Green Gables, a classic children’s book that, like its main character, is of Canadian origin.

On June 26, the Royal Canadian Mint introduced a new circulating dollar associated with the character, as the coin officially marks the 150th anniversary of the birth of creator and author Lucy Maud Montgomery.

In addition to the circulation coin (which is available in plain and colorful versions), the RCM has issued a $20 proof silver coin with the same basic design.

Montgomery’s legacy

Montgomery is one of the most prolific and widely read authors in Canadian history.

Born in 1874 in Clifton, Prince Edward Island, Montgomery published hundreds of short stories and poems as well as 20 novels, including the famous Anne of Green Gables.

Montgomery eventually settled in Toronto, where she died in 1942. She was buried in Cavendish Cemetery on Prince Edward Island – a final return to the island she loved so much.

The coins pay tribute to Montgomery’s talent and lasting contribution to Canadian and world literature, as well as her role in popularizing Prince Edward Island and Canada through her series of novels and other works.

“LM Montgomery’s life and legacy is the kind of story that belongs on the first circulating coin honoring an author,” said Marie Lemay, President and CEO of the Royal Canadian Mint.

“Her legendary stories about Anne Shirley continue to be translated into dozens of languages ​​and adapted for stage and screen. We are proud to have Montgomery’s story represented on a coin that will be shared and cherished for generations,” she added.

Unveiling of the coin

The $1 coin was unveiled at Green Gables Heritage Place, the family home and farm now managed by Parks Canada that Montgomery used as inspiration for the setting of her novel. Anne of Green Gables.

The artwork is a creation of Prince Edward Island artist Brenda Jones. It shows a profile portrait of the popular Canadian author from the Anne of Green Gables written, along with the author’s signature and the cat drawing that she often signed along with her name.

The $1 coin was put into circulation on June 27. The mintage is limited to three million pieces, of which two million are colored and one million are plain.

To convey Montgomery’s imagination, the design of the reverse of the coin alternates between the view of the author putting pen to paper (represented by the portfolio and inkwell) and the view of Anne Shirley looking out over the island’s farmland – the true inspiration for many of Montgomery’s stories.

The obverse features an image of King Charles III by Canadian artist Steven Rosati.

“I admire my grandmother greatly for her contribution to Canadian literature and culture, her strength of character and the love, pride and sense of responsibility she brought to my family,” said Montgomery’s granddaughter Kate Macdonald Butler. “To have her honored on millions of circulating coins is an unimaginable honor and I hope Canadians will appreciate it as much as I do.”

Receiving the coins

The $1 coins will reach Canadians through change once bank branches and businesses have replenished their coin stocks.

Other collectible products include specially packaged rolls of plain and colored coins (25 coins each) and a $20 coin in .9999 fine silver proof quality with selective color. The silver coin features the same designs as the circulation coin, but with a different denomination and an inscription replacing the maple leaf security feature on the reverse above the main design.

The silver coin is limited to 5,000 pieces and the retail price is CAD 119.95.

These collectibles can be ordered online at www.mint.ca/LMM and are available at RCM boutiques in Ottawa and Winnipeg, as well as through RCM’s worldwide dealer and distribution network.

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