Francine Hochereau, vice-president, marketing and communications at the Royal Canadian Mint and Greg Royer, chief operating officer at the Calgary Zoo unveil the fine silver coin: The Peaceful Panda: a Gift of Friendship. (CNW GROUP / ROYAL CANADIAN MINT)
The Royal Canadian Mint has introduced a “lucky” $8 silver coin to celebrate a new family of giant pandas at the Calgary Zoo.
The coin was unveiled Saturday at the zoo’s new Panda Passage exhibit, which will be home to the pandas for the next five years.
Panda adults Er Shun and Da Mao were originally loaned to the Toronto Zoo in 2013 as part of a 10-year agreement between Canada and China. Twin cubs Jia Panpan (Canadian Hope) and Jia Yueyue (Canadian Joy) were born in Toronto, during the first half of their decade-long visit.
The Mint says in keeping with Chinese tradition, an $8 denomination was chosen for good luck.
The coin retails for $29.95 and will be available for purchase as of June 5 at the Royal Canadian Mint’s boutiques in Winnipeg and Ottawa, at participating Canada Post outlets, by calling 1-800-267-1871 or ordering online.
