Order Authorizing the Issue of Two One-dollar Commemorative Circulation Coins Specifying the Characteristics and Determining the Designs (Supreme Court of Canada): SOR/2025-38
Canada Gazette, Part II, Volume 159, Number 6
Registration
SOR/2025-38 February 26, 2025
ROYAL CANADIAN MINT ACT
Order Authorizing the Issue of Two One-dollar Commemorative Circulation Coins Specifying the Characteristics and Determining the Designs (Supreme Court of Canada)
P.C. 2025-163 February 25, 2025
Her Excellency the Governor General in Council, on the recommendation of the Minister of Finance, under sections 6.4footnote a and 6.5footnote a of the Royal Canadian Mint Actfootnote b, authorizes the issue of two one-dollar circulation coins, the characteristics of which are to be as specified in item 2.2footnote c of Part 2 of the schedule to that Act and the diameter of which is to be 26.5 mm, and determines the designs of the coins to be as follows:
- (a) a coloured one-dollar coin
- (i) the obverse impression of which is to depict the effigy of His Majesty King Charles III by Steven Rosati, with the initials “SR” at the bottom right of the effigy on the lapel; the inscriptions “CHARLES III” and “D·G·REX” to the left and right of the effigy, respectively; the inscription “2025” centred beneath the effigy; and beading around the circumference of the coin, and
- (ii) the reverse impression of which is to depict the inscriptions “CANADA” and “DOLLAR” at the top of the coin; the façade of the Supreme Court of Canada beneath those inscriptions; a security mark consisting of a maple leaf within another maple leaf within a circle superimposed over the Supreme Court of Canada in the centre of it; the artist’s initials “SP” beneath and to the right of the Supreme Court of Canada; a blue circle layered over a pattern of hash marks and superimposed over the Supreme Court of Canada beneath the security mark; within that circle, the inscription “150” in white in the centre, a white laurel branch beneath and to the left of the inscription and the dates “1875–2025” in white above and to the right of the inscription; and the inscriptions “SUPREME COURT OF CANADA” and “COUR SUPRĂŠME DU CANADA” to the left and right of the circle, respectively; and
- (b) a one-dollar coin
- (i) the obverse impression of which is to depict the effigy of His Majesty King Charles III by Steven Rosati, with the initials “SR” at the bottom right of the effigy on the lapel; the inscriptions “CHARLES III” and “D·G·REX” to the left and right of the effigy, respectively; the inscription “2025” centred beneath the effigy; and beading around the circumference of the coin, and
- (ii) the reverse impression of which is to depict the inscriptions “CANADA” and “DOLLAR” at the top of the coin; the façade of the Supreme Court of Canada beneath those inscriptions; a security mark consisting of a maple leaf within another maple leaf within a circle superimposed over the Supreme Court of Canada in the centre of it; the artist’s initials “SP” beneath and to the right of the Supreme Court of Canada; a circle superimposed over the Supreme Court of Canada beneath the security mark; within that circle, the inscription “150” in the centre, a laurel branch beneath and to the left of the inscription and the dates “1875–2025” above and to the right of the inscription; and the inscriptions “SUPREME COURT OF CANADA” and “COUR SUPRĂŠME DU CANADA” to the left and right of the circle, respectively.
REGULATORY IMPACT ANALYSIS STATEMENT
(This statement is not part of the Order.)
Issues
The Royal Canadian Mint (the Mint) will produce two one-dollar commemorative circulation coins to mark the 150th anniversary of the Supreme Court of Canada. The two one-dollar coins have one shared design that will be produced in a version with colour and a version without colour.
Background
Created by the Supreme Court Act of 1875, the Supreme Court is Canada’s highest court and court of last resort. At the pinnacle of the judicial branch of the Canadian government, the Supreme Court holds jurisdiction over all areas of law and decides legal questions of public importance to Canadians.
The Mint produces commemorative circulation coins to promote Canada’s shared history, as well as our shared values and culture. These special coins engage the Canadian population while raising awareness about topics, stories and events of national significance.
Objective
The objective of this Order is to authorize the Mint to produce two one-dollar commemorative circulation coins commemorating the 150th anniversary of the creation of the Supreme Court of Canada.
Description
The two one-dollar coins feature the same design in versions with and without colour. The design depicts the façade of the Supreme Court of Canada, as well as the Supreme Court of Canada’s 150th anniversary logo, which includes a laurel, the number “150,” and the dates “1875–2025.” The inscriptions “SUPREME COURT OF CANADA,” “COUR SUPRĂŠME DU CANADA,” “CANADA” and “DOLLAR,” as well as the artist’s initials “SP,” appear on the design.
Regulatory development
Consultation
The Mint welcomes the public to submit ideas for coin themes and designs through its web site. Development of the designs for the Mint’s 2025 commemorative coin program began in 2024.
Quantitative market research was conducted between June 319, 2024, through an online survey sent to a nationally representative sample consisting of 2 501 respondents over the age of 18 and residing in Canada. Ninety-four per cent of respondents indicated that the design is appealing, suggesting broad support for the coins.
In addition, Mint officials worked closely with the Supreme Court of Canada to develop the coin design.
This Order has been exempted from prepublication in the Canada Gazette, Part I, because changing circulation coin designs has no impact on day-to-day transactions and has always been well received. These coins will perform the same function in trade and commerce and in the same manner as a coin bearing the standard design.
Modern treaty obligations and Indigenous engagement and consultation
The proposal is not expected to impact potential or established Aboriginal or treaty rights, which are recognized and affirmed in section 35 of the Constitution Act, 1982.
Instrument choice
Pursuant to sections 6.4 and 6.5 of the Royal Canadian Mint Act (the Act), the Governor in Council may, by order, authorize the issuance of circulation coins of a denomination listed in Part 2 of the Schedule of that Act and determine the design of any circulation coin to be issued. This Order is the only instrument choice available under the Act to authorize the issuance of circulation coins and approve their design.
Regulatory analysis
Benefits and costs
The Mint will incur some program costs in issuing these new commemorative coins. No additional costs for Canadians, businesses, or other stakeholders are anticipated.
These coins offer the Canadian population a widely accessible means through which to engage and learn more about the role, history and significance of Canada’s highest court.
As commemorative coins are available at face value and circulate widely, public demand is high, with many coins being collected and taken out of circulation. These special circulation coin programs contribute to the overall success of commemorative events and activities. Coins will be distributed through financial institutions with a portion reserved for coin exchanges.
Small business lens
Analysis under the small business lens concluded that the Order will not impact Canadian small businesses.
One-for-one rule
This Order does not impose new administrative costs on businesses. Therefore, the one-for-one rule does not apply.
Regulatory cooperation and alignment
Given that this Order authorizes the issuance of new commemorative coins, there is no regulatory cooperation or alignment component associated with it.
Effects on the environment
In accordance with the Cabinet Directive on Strategic Environmental and Economic Assessment, a preliminary scan concluded that a strategic environmental assessment is not required.
Gender-based analysis plus
Through its commemorative circulation coins, the Mint has represented national milestones in the advancement of gender rights, in addition to featuring topics more broadly representative of Canadian diversity and our shared history. Honouring the full breadth of Canada’s diversity will continue to feature prominently in the Mint’s future plans for commemorative circulation coin designs.
Implementation, compliance and enforcement, and service standards
This Order will come into force upon its approval. Upon approval of the Order, the Mint will proceed with a production order to authorize its Winnipeg facility to start production. These coins will be launched on April 8, 2025, for the anniversary of the Supreme Court of Canada’s creation. There are no compliance and enforcement requirements associated with this Order. Launch event tactics are developed collaboratively with federal and community partners. They may include some or all of the following: a national multimedia advertising campaign, news releases, a public launch event, media relations outreach and public coin exchanges.
Contact
Simon Kamel
Vice-President
General Counsel and Corporate Secretary
Corporate and Legal Affairs
Royal Canadian Mint
320 Sussex Drive
Ottawa, Ontario
K1A 0G8
Telephone: 613‑993‑1732
Fax: 613‑990‑4665
Email: kamel@mint.ca