On June 26, 2024, the Royal Canadian Mint unveiled a new dollar coin to celebrate the 150th birthday of the famous Canadian author Lucy Maud Montgomery, who created the beloved character Anne of Green Gables. This coin honors Montgomery’s impact on literature and highlights her deep connection to Canada. Let’s explore the details of this special coin release and Montgomery’s remarkable legacy.
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Author Celebrated | Lucy Maud Montgomery (L. M. Montgomery) |
| Coin Type | Dollar Coin (circulating) and Proof silver $20 coin |
| Unveiling Date | June 26, 2024 |
| Birth Anniversary | 150th (Born in 1874) |
| Design Artist | Brenda Jones (PEI Artist) |
| Coin Artwork | Portrait of L. M. Montgomery, her signature, and a cat drawing |
| Mintage Limit | 3 million total: 2 million colored, 1 million plain |
| Coin Features | Reverse design shows Montgomery writing, with Anne Shirley in the foreground |
| Obverse Design | Effigy of King Charles III by Steven Rosati |
| Collector Products | Specially wrapped rolls (25 coins each), Proof silver coin |
| Silver Coin Price | $119.95 CAD |
The Celebration of a Literary Icon
Who is L. M. Montgomery?
Lucy Maud Montgomery, often known as L. M. Montgomery, was born in 1874 in Clifton, Prince Edward Island. She is best known for her classic novel Anne of Green Gables, which tells the story of an imaginative girl named Anne Shirley. Montgomery wrote more than 20 novels and many short stories and poems. Her works are still loved by people all over the world, making her one of Canada’s most famous authors.
Why This Coin Matters
The new dollar coin not only marks the anniversary of Montgomery’s birth but also pays tribute to her lasting contributions to Canadian and global literature. Montgomery’s stories helped make Prince Edward Island a popular destination and showcased the beauty of Canada through her writing.
Marie Lemay, the President and CEO of the Royal Canadian Mint, stated, “The life and legacy of L.M. Montgomery is the kind of story that belongs on the first circulation coin to celebrate an author.” This coin serves as a reminder of Montgomery’s influence and the joy her stories continue to bring to readers of all ages.
Unveiling the New Coin
Details of the Coin
The dollar coin was revealed at the Green Gables Heritage Place, the actual house and farm that inspired Anne of Green Gables. This setting holds great significance as it is where Montgomery found inspiration for her characters and stories.
The artwork on the coin was created by Brenda Jones, an artist from Prince Edward Island. The coin features a portrait of Montgomery, alongside her signature and a cat drawing she often included when signing her works. This design connects fans of her literature directly to her legacy.
The coin has two versions: a colorful one and a plain one. The colorful version will have a mintage limit of 2 million coins, while the plain version has a limit of 1 million coins. The total mintage limit is set at 3 million coins.
Celebrating Montgomery’s Legacy
The Design Elements
The reverse side of the coin beautifully captures Montgomery’s creative process. It shows her writing (symbolized by a portfolio and inkwell) alongside Anne Shirley looking out over the farmland that inspired many of Montgomery’s stories. This design symbolizes the link between Montgomery’s life and her work.
On the obverse side of the coin, you will find an image of King Charles III, created by Canadian artist Steven Rosati. This traditional feature is common on Canadian coins.
A Personal Connection
Montgomery’s granddaughter, Kate Macdonald Butler, shared her pride about the commemoration. “For her to be commemorated on millions of circulation coins is an unimaginable honour,” she said. This shows how the family values Montgomery’s legacy and hopes that Canadians will appreciate the coins as much as they do.
Getting Your Hands on the Coins
Availability and Collectibles
The new dollar coins will be distributed through banks and businesses, so Canadians will receive them as change. This makes it easy for everyone to own a piece of Montgomery’s legacy.
In addition to the circulating coins, there are also special collector items available. These include rolls of 25 coins (both plain and colorful) and a Proof .9999 fine silver $20 coin. The silver coin features the same design as the circulating coin but is made of silver and is a special collectible. It has a limit of 5,000 pieces and sells for $119.95 CAD.
You can order these collectibles online through the Royal Canadian Mint’s website visit their boutiques in Ottawa and Winnipeg.
Conclusion
The Royal Canadian Mint’s new dollar coin honoring L. M. Montgomery is a beautiful tribute to one of Canada’s most cherished authors. As we celebrate her 150th birthday, this coin not only commemorates her literary contributions but also connects generations of readers to the rich stories of Anne of Green Gables. With the new coins circulating in Canada, both new and old fans of Montgomery can carry a piece of her legacy with them. This initiative encourages appreciation for Canadian literature and inspires young readers to explore Montgomery’s timeless tales.
FAQs
1. Who is L. M. Montgomery?
L. M. Montgomery, or Lucy Maud Montgomery, is a famous Canadian author best known for her classic novel, Anne of Green Gables. She was born in 1874 in Prince Edward Island and wrote many novels, poems, and short stories.
2. What does the new coin celebrate?
The new coin commemorates the 150th anniversary of L. M. Montgomery’s birth and honors her contributions to Canadian literature, especially her beloved character, Anne of Green Gables.
3. When was the coin unveiled?
The coin was officially unveiled on June 26, 2024, at Green Gables Heritage Place, the house that inspired Montgomery’s writing.
4. What are the designs on the coin?
The coin features a portrait of L. M. Montgomery, her signature, and a cat drawing she often included. The reverse side shows Montgomery writing with Anne Shirley looking over farmland, representing the inspiration for many of her stories.
5. How many coins will be made?
The Royal Canadian Mint has a total mintage limit of 3 million coins: 2 million in color and 1 million plain.