The toonie (also spelled twonie[1][2] or twoonie[3][4]), formally the Canadian two-dollar coin (French: pièce de 2 dollars canadiens, nicknamed deux piastres or deux piastres rond), was introduced on February 19, 1996, by Minister of Public Works Diane Marleau. As of 2023,[update] it possesses the highest monetary value of any circulating Canadian coin. The toonie is a bi-metallic coin which on the reverse side bears an image of a polar bear by artist Brent Townsend. The obverse, since 2023, bear a portrait of King Charles III. It has the words CHARLES III / D.G. REX; before 2023, the words were in a typeface different to other Canadian coins.[5]
The coin is manufactured using a patented distinctive bi-metallic coin-locking mechanism.[6] The coins are estimated to last 20 years. The discontinued two-dollar bill was less expensive to manufacture but lasted only one year on average.[7]
On April 10, 2012, the Royal Canadian Mint (RCM) announced design changes to the loonie and toonie, which include new security features.[8][9]
Coins minted prior to 2012 consist of an aluminum bronze inner core with a pure nickel outer ring;[10] but in March–May 2012, the composition of the inner core switched to aluminum bronze coated with multi-ply plated brass, and the outer ring switched to steel coated with multi-ply plated nickel.[9] The weight dropped from 7.30 to 6.92g, and the thickness changed from 1.8 to 1.75 mm. The Mint said that multi-ply plated steel technology, already used in Canada's smaller coinage, produces an electromagnetic signature that is harder to counterfeit than that of regular alloy coins; also, using steel provides cost savings and avoids fluctuations in the price or supply of nickel.[11][12]
^International, Radio Canada (January 5, 2021). "Old Canadian banknotes lose legal tender status". RCI | English. Retrieved September 4, 2021.
^"Toonie turns 20 years old". CBC. February 19, 2016. Retrieved November 27, 2022.
^"Greater Sudbury to buy Ramsey Lake Island for a twoonie". CBC. February 24, 2015. Retrieved November 27, 2022.
^Acres, Victoria (August 12, 2021). "'Twoonie Tuesdays' a hit in Rodney". thechronicle-online. Archived from the original on August 12, 2021. Retrieved November 27, 2022.
^"A New Royal Era". Royal Canadian Mint. Retrieved January 7, 2024.
^"Balance and composition – the 2-dollar coin". Royal Canadian Mint. Archived from the original on April 26, 2012. Retrieved November 27, 2022.
^Fred Langan. "Canada's new coin a 'toonie'? By Fred Langan THE CHRISTIAN SCIENCE MONITOR - Tuesday, Feb. 20, 1996 | 11:59 a.m." Las Vegas Sun. Retrieved December 2, 2011.
^Royal Canadian Mint. "The Loonie and Toonie have evolved". Royal Canadian Mint. Archived from the original on April 23, 2012. Retrieved November 27, 2022.
^ ab"The New $2 Coin". Royal Canadian Mint. Archived from the original on April 13, 2012. Retrieved April 21, 2012.
^George S. Čuhaj; Thomas Michael (July 11, 2011). 2012 Standard Catalog of World Coins 2001 to Date. Krause Publications. p. 144. ISBN 978-1-4402-1575-9.[permanent dead link]
^"Order Amending Part 2 of the Schedule to the Royal Canadian Mint Act". Canada Gazette. Government of Canada. Retrieved January 14, 2012.
^"Material change in store for loonies, toonies". Montreal Gazette. Postmedia News. January 14, 2012.[permanent dead link]
The toonie (also spelled twonie or twoonie), formally the Canadian two-dollar coin (French: pièce de 2 dollars canadiens, nicknamed deux piastres or deux...
bill. When the two-dollar coin was introduced in 1996, the derivative word toonie ("two loonies") became the common word for it in Canadian English slang...
is a toonie toss, which has guests toss toonies (CA$2 coins) at a Texas mickey (3L) bottle of liquor. The toss runs for some time until the Toonie closest...
In the case of the Biblio-Mat, the insertion of a two-dollar coin or "toonie" (now a token), prompts the machine to randomly select an antiquarian book...
are called the "loonie" (for the loon depiction on the reverse) and the "toonie" (a portmanteau of "two" and "loonie") respectively. The production of the...
Canadian two-dollar coin was introduced in 1996, it was in turn nicknamed the "toonie" (a portmanteau of "two" and "loonie"). Canada first minted a silver dollar...
Gregor Peter John Townsend MBE (born 26 April 1973) is a Scottish professional rugby union coach and former player who has been coaching the Scotland national...
obverse, replacing Queen Elizabeth II. The two dollar coin, nicknamed the toonie, was issued in 1996, replacing the two dollar note issued by the Bank of...
coin). The Canadian $2 coin or 'toonie', first minted in 1996, also bears a small similarity to the €2 coin. The toonie however is 2mm larger in diameter...
Blacktown and Cumberland Council. The suburb is often locally referred to as "Toonie". To the north across Old Windsor Road the next suburb is Winston Hills;...
one-dollar coin; derived from the use of the common loon on the reverse. The toonie (less commonly spelled tooney, twooney, twoonie) is the two-dollar coin...
pre-2017 Philippine 10-peso coin, the Canadian 2 dollar coin (a.k.a. the 'toonie'), and the outer rings of the Mexican 10-, 20-, 50- and 100-peso coins....
CKOL-FM.[citation needed] The town has a 27 ft (8.2 m) high statue of a toonie, which was designed by local artist Brent Townsend.[citation needed] Escott...
an image of the common loon, a bird. The two-dollar coin is known as the toonie, a portmanteau combining the number two with loonie. It is occasionally...
poem's centennial in 2015, a coloured and uncoloured poppy quarter and a "toonie" ($2 coin) were issued as circulation coins, as well as other collector...
been replaced with coins, colloquially referred to as the "loonie" and "toonie" respectively, with the loonie simultaneously replacing the $1 bill as well...
In 1996, the Mint introduced a $2 circulating coin (known widely as the toonie) that featured a polar bear on the reverse and replaced the $2 banknote...
of the $2 note ceased on February 18, 1996, with initial release of the toonie, a coin that replaced it. These notes are seldom seen in circulation today...
University of St Andrews, was born in Kirriemuir. He called this "wee red toonie" "Thrums" in his novels Auld Licht Idylls, A Window in Thrums, and The Little...
of the $1 value using the common nickname "Loonie", the addition of a "Toonie", the $2 case, and the removal of the $400,000 value. All amounts are in...
Ontario is home to the Big Loonie Campbellford, Ontario is home to the Big Toonie "Sudbury's big nickel celebrates 45 years". Northern Life, July 24, 2009...
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