Order Authorizing the Issue of Two Two-dollar Commemorative Circulation Coins Specifying the Characteristics and Determining the Designs (Tomb of the Unknown Soldier): SOR/2025-40
Canada Gazette, Part II, Volume 159, Number 6
Registration
SOR/2025-40 February 26, 2025
ROYAL CANADIAN MINT ACT
Order Authorizing the Issue of Two Two-dollar Commemorative Circulation Coins Specifying the Characteristics and Determining the Designs (Tomb of the Unknown Soldier)
P.C. 2025-165 February 25, 2025
Her Excellency the Governor General in Council, on the recommendation of the Minister of Finance, under sections 6.4footnote a and 6.5a of the Royal Canadian Mint Act footnote b, authorizes the issue of two two-dollar circulation coins, the characteristics of which are to be as specified in item 1.1footnote c of Part 2 of the schedule to that Act and the diameter of which is to be 28.03 mm, and determines the designs of the coins to be as follows:
- (a) a coloured two-dollar coin
- (i) the obverse impression of which is to depict, on the inner core of the coin, 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; on the outer ring, the inscriptions “CHARLES III” and “D·G·REX” to the left and right of the effigy, respectively; and, centred at the bottom of the outer ring, the inscription “2025”,
- (ii) the reverse impression of which is to depict,
- (A) on the inner core of the coin, four silhouettes of members of the Canadian Armed Forces saluting behind the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, which overlaps onto the outer ring of the coin; the artist’s initials “ML” beneath and to the right of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier; and a red, white and black poppy layered over a pattern of hash marks and partially overlapping the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, and
- (B) on the outer ring of the coin, two virtual images of a maple leaf between two slanted lines centred at the top; the inscriptions “TOMB OF THE UNKNOWN SOLDIER” and “LA TOMBE DU SOLDAT INCONNU” to the left and right of the virtual images, respectively; two security marks each consisting of a maple leaf within another maple leaf within a circle at the bottom of the ring; and the inscription “2” between the two security marks and the inscriptions “CANADA” and “DOLLARS” to the left and right of the security marks, respectively, and
- (iii) the edge of which is to show the inscriptions “CANADA” and “2 DOLLARS”, with a maple leaf before and after the inscription “CANADA”; and
- (b) a two-dollar coin
- (i) the obverse impression of which is to depict, on the inner core of the coin, 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; on the outer ring, the inscriptions “CHARLES III” and “D·G·REX” to the left and right of the effigy, respectively; and, centred at the bottom of the outer ring, the inscription “2025”,
- (ii) the reverse impression of which is to depict,
- (A) on the inner core of the coin, four silhouettes of members of the Canadian Armed Forces saluting behind the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, which overlaps onto the outer ring of the coin; the artist’s initials “ML” beneath and to the right of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier; and a poppy partially overlapping the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, and
- (B) on the outer ring of the coin, two virtual images of a maple leaf between two slanted lines centred at the top; the inscriptions “TOMB OF THE UNKNOWN SOLDIER” and “LA TOMBE DU SOLDAT INCONNU” to the left and right of the virtual images, respectively; two security marks each consisting of a maple leaf within another maple leaf within a circle at the bottom of the ring; and the inscription “2” between the two security marks and the inscriptions “CANADA” and “DOLLARS” to the left and right of the security marks, respectively, and
- (iii) the edge of which is to show the inscriptions “CANADA” and “2 DOLLARS”, with a maple leaf before and after the inscription “CANADA”.
REGULATORY IMPACT ANALYSIS STATEMENT
(This statement is not part of the Order.)
Issues
The Royal Canadian Mint (the Mint) will produce two two-dollar commemorative circulation coins to honour the 25th anniversary of Canada’s Unknown Soldier’s repatriation. The two two-dollar coins have one shared design that will be produced in a version with colour and a version without colour.
Background
In May 2000, the remains of Canada’s Unknown Soldier were repatriated from Cabaret-Rouge British Cemetery, near Vimy Ridge, France, and interred in the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, at the foot of the National War Memorial in Ottawa. Since then, Canada’s Tomb of the Unknown Soldier has become a national site of mourning and the focal point of collective remembrance for the Canadian population.
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 two-dollar commemorative circulation coins honouring Canada’s Unknown Soldier. The coins will recognize all of those who have died serving, as well as all those who serve, or have served, Canada in a military capacity.
Description
The two two-dollar coins feature the same design in versions with and without colour. The design depicts, on the inner core, four members of the Canadian Armed Forces saluting the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, beneath which appears a poppy and “ML,” the artist’s initials. On the outer ring are inscribed: “TOMB OF THE UNKNOWN SOLDIER,” “LA TOMBE DU SOLDAT INCONNU,” “CANADA” and “2 DOLLARS.”
Regulatory development
Consultation
The Mint welcomes the public to submit ideas for coin themes and design through its web site. Development of the design for the Mint’s 2025 commemorative coin program began in 2024.
Quantitative market research was conducted June 3–19, 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-six per cent of respondents indicated that the design is appealing, suggesting broad support for the coins.
In addition, Mint officials consulted directly with subject matter experts and organizations connected to the repatriation of Canada’s Unknown Soldier. All have indicated their support for the coins.
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. The 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 will help the Canadian population learn more about Canada’s Unknown Soldier, as well as the service and sacrifices of those who have served, or serve, Canada in a military capacity.
As commemorative coins are available at face value and circulate widely, public demand is high, with many people collecting coins and taking them 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 public 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
The one-for-one rule does not apply as there is no impact on businesses.
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 in the lead up to Remembrance Day 2025. 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