The Canadian government will issue a new ‘toonie” coin to honor its former head of state, the late Queen Elizabeth II, the Royal Canadian Mint reported.
The toonie, which replaced the $2 bill in 1996, will be encircled by a black ring that is meant to signify mourning.
“Queen Elizabeth II served as Canada’s head of state for seven decades, and for millions of Canadians, she was the only monarch they had ever known,” Marie Lemay, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Royal Canadian Mint, said in a statement. “Our special $2 circulation coin offers Canadians a way to remember her.”
The 96-year-old Queen died in September. The Mint will initially produce 5 million coins and add more if needed.
The $20 bill has the Queen’s image since she held the title of head of state. Subsequently, her image will be replaced by that of her son, Charles, who is King Charles III.
The Mint often issues coins to honor individuals. A loonie — the coin that replaced the $1 bill — was issued to honor Alexander Graham Bell who invented the telephone and was buried on Cape Breton Island in Canada.
And it produced a loonie in August to honor Canadian jazz great Oscar Peterson.
