FAQ | The Royal Canadian Mint (2024)

All coins manufactured by the Royal Canadian Mint are legal tender. However, unlike Canadian circulation coins, collector coins are non-circulating legal tender (NCLT). As such, these coins are not intended for daily commercial transactions and accepting them as payment or for redemption is at the discretion of businesses and financial institutions.

We have a process in place to reimburse financial institutions the face value of redeemed NCLT coins, once they have accepted them from a customer and returned them to the Royal Canadian Mint. In the event a bank branch is unaware of this procedure, customers are advised to contact us with the coordinates of the bank branch, we will take steps to inform the branch of the redemption process.

As collector coins can only be redeemed at face value by businesses and financial institutions willing to accept them, it is recommended that individuals wishing to sell a collector coin first consult with a coin dealer, who is more likely to offer a price above face value.

Canada’s circulation coins are the most secure in the world. Over the past several years we have tested a sampling of circulation coins across the country to determine whether counterfeiting is a concern. The sampling results have concluded that circulation coin counterfeiting is not a widespread issue in Canada.

The introduction of multiple security features on $1 and $2 circulation coins in 2012 offers an even higher level of protection against coin counterfeiting.

While the Royal Canadian Mint produces all circulation coins in Canada, as well as numismatic coins for purchase, any investigation into counterfeit currency must be initiated by the police. If you suspect you have a counterfeit coin in your possession, you should report it to your local police.

Local law enforcement may work with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police once a complaint is filed.

We encourage customers to purchase numismatic coins only from reputable coin dealers. Please consult our comprehensive list here.

We receive many suggestions for coin themes every year and base our design selections on several criteria.

We pride ourself on depicting themes of significance to Canadians, therefore all designs must reflect Canada’s heritage, culture and values, and commemorate, celebrate and promote Canada.

It can take up to two years for a coin concept to be released as an actual coin. We also regularly conduct market research to assess the popularity of proposed themes, and even welcome suggestions from the general public

Coin Theme Suggestion Process

1. Submissions for non-circulation (collector) or circulation coins may be submitted online or mailed to:

   Product Team
   Royal Canadian Mint
   320 Sussex Drive
   Ottawa, Ontario
   K1A 0G8

In order to properly evaluate a submission, it is suggested that the following information be included:

• Theme or anniversary and any relevant dates or celebratory events;
  • If a theme is tied to an anniversary, the submission should be made at least two calendar years out as product marketing and production plans are developed well in advance.
• Any relevant promotional activity surrounding the theme or anniversary;
• Background information (i.e. historical, Web links);
• Requestor’s contact information;

You understand and agree when you submit your coin theme suggestion to the Royal Canadian Mint that: (1) your coin theme suggestions and their contents will automatically become the property of the Royal Canadian Mint, without any compensation to you; (2) the Royal Canadian Mint may use or redistribute coin theme suggestions and their contents for any purpose and in any way; (3) there is no obligation for the Royal Canadian Mint to review these coin theme suggestions; (4) there is no obligation to keep any submissions confidential; and (5) you are not violating any agreement or understanding you have with another party, including current or former employer.

2. A formal response is drafted and sent, in order to confirm receipt of suggestion.
3. The Royal Canadian Mint’s marketing team conducts bi-annual market research to evaluate themes and their emotional and commercial appeal with our coin buyers. In addition, themes must:
   1. Reflect Canada’s heritage, values and culture;
   2. Be appropriate to the currency of Canada and commemorate, celebrate, or promote Canada by depicting themes of significance to Canadians;
   3. Any text on a coin must be in both of Canada’s official languages.
4. All coin products are subject to Government approval:

• Non-circulation coin designs are the responsibility of the Minister responsible for the Royal Canadian Mint;
• Circulation coins are authorized by Order in Council.

5. Upcoming issues of circulation coins are communicated through mass advertising. Non-circulation coins are launched through various marketing activities including coin events, catalogues and direct marketing.

In Economic Action Plan 2012, the Government of Canada announced that it would modernize Canada’s currency set by removing the penny from circulation. While the coins remain legal tender, the Royal Canadian Mint stopped distributing pennies on February 4, 2013.

The Government of Canada phased out the penny due to its rising cost of production relative to face value, the increased accumulation of pennies by Canadians in their households, environmental considerations, and the significant handling costs the penny imposes on retailers, financial institutions and the economy in general.

A federal Crown corporation in Canada is a corporation distinct legal entity established by the federal government to deliver public policy and is wholly owned either directly or indirectly by the government. While Crown corporations are instruments of public policy, many also operate in a business commercial environment. Some Crown corporations are completely funded by government; others are self-sufficient or profit-making, like the Royal Canadian Mint.

On a day-to-day basis, Crown corporations operate at arm’s length from the government. The responsible Minister determines the Corporation’s broad policy directions while a Board of Directors is responsible for the day-to-day operations, strategic direction and management performance of the organization.

Our Ottawa facility produces hand-crafted collector coins (numismatic), bullion products in pure gold, silver, platinum, as well as medals and medallions. It is here that all the master tooling is done to create the dies that strike coin designs for both circulation and commemorative issues. Our gold and silver refining, assay laboratory and engraving operations are also located in Ottawa.

Our Winnipeg facility is primarily a high-tech, high-volume circulation coin manufacturing and plating facility, where all of Canada’s circulation coinage is produced. Production capacity averages up to 20 million coins per day. We also produce foreign circulation coins in Winnipeg. Since opening its doors in 1976, Winnipeg has produced coinage for over 75 different foreign countries.

Both Ottawa and Winnipeg have their own research and development laboratories.

The Royal Canadian Mint’s gold and silver ETRs provide investors with a secure, convenient and low-cost direct investment in physical gold or silver. We have issued ETRs under our Canadian Gold Reserves and Canadian Silver Reserves programs, which provide holders with direct legal and beneficial ownership in physical bullion held in the custody of the Mint at our facilities. ETRs are listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX) under the trading symbols “MNT” and “MNT.U” for gold, and “MNS” and “MNS.U” for silver. Additional information on the Canadian Gold Reserves program, the Canadian Silver Reserves program and ETRs is available on the programs’ respective websites and on SEDAR at www.sedar.com.

DISCLAIMER: An investment in ETRs involves certain risks. Losses may be incurred both as a result of gold or silver price diminution and if any price gains do not exceed applicable fees described in the relevant information statement. An investor could lose all or a significant portion of his or her investment in the ETRs. Accordingly, the investment may not be suitable for persons unfamiliar with the gold and silver markets, as applicable, or unwilling or unable to bear the risk attendant to a security of this type. Prospective purchasers of ETRs should consider carefully these risks before making an investment decision. For additional information on risk factors that have the potential to affect the ETRs, the Canadian Gold Reserves program, the Canadian Silver Reserves program or the Mint, reference should be made to the latest gold and silver ETR information statements accessible via www.reserves.mint.ca and on SEDAR at www.sedar.com. ETRs may not be offered or sold in any jurisdiction outside of Canada except in circ*mstances which do not constitute a public offering or distribution under the laws of the jurisdiction where the ETRs are to be offered or sold. The Mint and the selling agents require persons into whose possession ETR information statements come to inform themselves of and observe any and all such restrictions. In particular, the ETRs have not been and will not be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933 and may not be offered or sold within the United States or to, or for the account or benefit of, United States persons. No securities.

Yes. Please refer to our Intellectual Property Policy for more information.

Premium Bullion in special packaging is an uncirculated bullion coin which comes in Royal Canadian Mint authorized packaging designed for gifting or collecting.The value of the precious metal is only part of the overall value because the uncirculated bullion coins have been specially handled during the manufacturing process, encapsulated and protected in card packaging.

These products are final sale, and orders for these products cannot be cancelled. They are also not eligible towards Masters Club program. For more details, visit our Policy and Masters Club Terms and Conditions.

Members receive free delivery for their orders within the U.S. and Canada. The mode of free delivery offered will depend on a number of factors including size and value of the product and the destination, and will be determined by the Royal Canadian Mint in its sole discretion.

This is just one of the many advantages of joining the Masters Club. Learn more about the Masters Club.

Approximate transit times for available items – with Standard Shipping (Canada Post) – are as follows:

• 2-3 days in Greater Toronto and Ottawa area
• 3-5 days in Southwestern Ontario
• 4-9 days in other major Canadian cities
• Up to three weeks for remote areas of Canada
• Ordering items that do NOT have an available status will delay the delivery of that order

* Please keep in mind that seasonal volumes and inclement weather can increase these estimated times.

* Please note that the Royal Canadian Mint may require that you sign a receipt of delivery in person for your order from the shipper. In such cases, if you change or waive this requirement to allow for your order to be dropped off without your receipt signature, you have unilaterally changed the shipping terms and the Royal Canadian Mint is not liable and not responsible to you for any loss, theft or damage to your order at delivery.

To calculate total delivery time, add 2 days processing to the above transit times. Selecting FedEX will reduce the above transit times.

The transaction details available under Order History are from 2019 onwards. To obtain information on orders placed before 2019, please Contact Us.

If you want to view your coin purchase history, including all coins purchased before 2019, go to My Collection under your account details. With the exception of transaction details, you will find your collection there!

In the event of any discrepancy or conflict between this Return & Cancellation Policy and stipulations made elsewhere on mint.ca, this policy will take precedence.

Return Policy

General Return Policy: We take pride in the superior quality and craftsmanship of our products. Subject to the exceptions below, your satisfaction is 100% guaranteed or your money back – shop with confidence knowing that if you are not completely satisfied with your purchase, you may return it to us within 30 calendar days, as explained further below, and we will gladly offer you the choice of a refund or a replacement of the same product originally purchased (subject to product availability). Returns/exchanges under the General Return Policy are subject to the conditions below and the conditions applicable to all returns/exchanges:

• Should you elect to receive a refund, the refund will be provided in the same form of payment and currency (i.e. Canadian dollars) originally used for purchase.

• Products purchased from a Royal Canadian Mint boutique must be returned to that boutique within 30 calendar days from the date of purchase.

• For products purchased through the Mint's website (mint.ca), mobile application or call centre, please follow the steps below under the heading “Return Procedure” to first obtain aReturn Merchandise Authorization number(RMA number) and then return your purchase by mail. You must contact the Mint to request an RMA number for your return within 30 calendar days of the date of invoice, and then send your product to the Mint within 30 calendar days of receiving the RMA number.

Exception to the General Return Policy: Products purchased from the Mint that are identified as belonging to one of the following categories are final sale (i.e. they cannot be returned or exchanged, and are not eligible for refund):

1. Premium Bullion products in special packaging
2. Bullion Products
3. Any Mint product advertised and/or sold with a suggested retail price greater than $500,000 CAD before any applicable taxes.

Exceptionally, if you have purchased a product identified as belonging to one of the categories above from the Mint online (i.e. through the Mint’s website (mint.ca) or mobile application) or via the Mint’s call centre and believe that the product you received is damaged, defective or incorrect, you may contact our Customer Service Solutions Centre by telephone at 1-800-267-1871 within 14 calendar days of product shipment to request an exchange for the same product originally purchased (subject to product availability).

Requests for exchanges will be reviewed by the Mint on a case-by-case basis. You may be asked to provide more information about the product you received, including, but not limited to, photos of the product. Should it be determined by the Mint, at its sole discretion, that your product is approved for exchange, our Customer Service Solution Centre will provide you with an RMA number; please follow the steps below under the heading “Return Procedure” to then return your product by mail to the Mint for exchange. You must send your product back to the Mint within 30 calendar days of receiving the RMA number. Approved exchanges under this Exception to the General Return Policy are also subject to the conditions applicable to all returns/exchanges below.

Conditions Applicable to All Returns/Exchanges:

1. All products must be returned to the Mint in their original condition, with all original packaging (including the original display cases, outer protective boxes, certificates of authenticity, etc.). Any free or bonus promotional items associated with your purchase must also be returned at the same time.
2. You will be required to provide proof of purchase from the Mint (i.e. your invoice or receipt).
3. For products purchased through the Mint's website (mint.ca), mobile application or call centre, if the product is returned to the Mint with no RMA number, receipt may be declined and the package may be returned to the original sender's address; the sender may also incur the shipping charges for the unauthorized return.

The Mint reserves the right to refuse any returned/exchanged product that does not meet the requirements and conditions laid out in this Return & Cancellation Policy.

Return Procedure

From Canada:

Returns are free within Canada when you use the prepaid Canada Post shipping label offered by the Mint. For your convenience, simply:

1. Call our Customers Service Solutions Centre at 1-800-267-1871 to request an RMA number.
2. We'll have Canada Post send you an email with a PDF of a return label. Please print the label and then drop off your package at the nearest Canada Post location. If you can't print the label, please reference the RMA number and Canada Post will gladly print it for you. If alternative mailing instructions have been provided to you by the Customer Service Solutions Centre, ship your package to the Mint in accordance with the instructions provided.

From the United States:

The Mint will reimburse you up to CAD $15 of the cost for the return shipping from the United States. For your convenience, simply:

1. Call our Customer Services Solutions Centre at 1-800-268-6468 to request an RMA number.
2. Ship your package to the Royal Canadian Mint in accordance with the instructions provided by the Customer Service Solutions Centre. Please include your RMA number in the package. In order to obtain reimbursem*nt from the Mint for the cost of the return shipping, up to a maximum of CAD $15, please submit your shipping receipt as well in accordance with the instructions provided.

*Important note: Please be advised that the Royal Canadian Mint is not responsible for returned purchases that are lost or damaged in shipment. To ensure your return package does not get lost, we recommend that you choose a carrier that provides the option of a tracking number, insurance and/or "signature required" shipping.

Please call us at 1-800-267-1871 (Canada, US & International) from Monday to Friday, 8:30 am to 6 pm EST. Click here to request cancellation of a purchase made online at www.mint.ca.

Subject to the exception below: We will do our best to cancel your order before it leaves our warehouse. However, depending on what stage of the shipping process your order is in, it is not always possible to cancel your order; no order cancellations will be accepted after product shipment.

Exception: With respect to the purchase of products identified as belonging to one of the following categories – Premium Bullion products in special packaging and Bullion Products – once you have placed an order for the purchase of these products, that order is locked-in and cannot be cancelled.

The Mint’s app offers a secure, personalized experience for tracking and completing your collection. Keep an inventory of your coins, add previously purchased coins, receive notifications on Mint coin releases and respond more quickly to coins that are expected to sell-out.

Gain an advantage in your collecting strategy with the Royal Canadian Mint App.

Download it for free!

To register for an account, simply click on the account icon at the top right of the homepage and follow the instructions.

Once your account is created and you have logged in, you can access:

• Personal information
• Shipping information
• Payment options to modify billing address and credit card information.
• Subscriptions
• Email and password: to revise email and password details. If you forget your password there is a link in the My Account section, which enables you to receive your password reminder by email.

The Shopping Cart summarizes all your current online purchases. Each item selected for purchase is itemized by photo, product name, quantity, unit cost and total cost. You can make additions and deletions to your order and view the revised total of your purchase. You can either continue shopping to add more items to your Shopping Cart or complete the purchase transaction by clicking on the Checkout button, once you have chosen your location and shipping method.

You will then be prompted to log in, if you haven’t already done so. Enter your shipping address and payment details, then review your order one more time before submitting it. When your order has been successfully submitted you will receive an onscreen confirmation and a separate confirmation by email.

You can shop by phone, mail or in person, however we are no longer accepting orders via fax.

To shop in person, visit our boutiques in Ottawa and Winnipeg. Boutique business hours and location details can be found here.

To shop by phone, call: 1-800-267-1871 (Canada and U.S.) or 1-613-954-2626 (International).

The Masters Club is a loyalty-based program designed for passionate collectors. It features a flexible points-based rewards system and exclusive member-only benefits.

For more information on the program, visit the Masters Club page.

Following the implementation of harmonized sales tax (HST) on gold and silver products, regimes in Ontario and British Columbia, who meet the following conditions will be HST exempt:

• Minimum purity must be 99.5% for gold and platinum and 99.9% for silver;
• Products must be in bar, ingot, coin or wafer form; and
• Coins satisfying minimum purity levels must have also been issued by a government authority as legal tender.

For further information, please visit the Canada Revenue Agency’s website.

You can purchase Royal Canadian Mint bullion products from the main branches of many Canadian chartered banks, from authorized Bullion DNA™ Dealers, or from the Royal Canadian Mint’s boutiques at our Ottawa and Winnipeg locations (with the understanding that bullion products are always subject to availability).

If you are a U.S. resident, please check with an authorized distributor in your area. It is the responsibility of the purchaser to ensure that the precious metal dealer chosen to conduct business with is a reputable source.

In order for the Royal Canadian Mint to comply with its obligations including those under the Proceeds of Crime (Money Laundering) Terrorist Financing Act, if you are planning on purchasing Royal Canadian Mint bullion product(s) through one of our boutiques, you may be required to provide official Government issued identification and/or any other information deemed appropriate by the Royal Canadian Mint before completing your purchase. Examples of situations when this would occur include for cash purchases and larger value transactions.

To ensure that American residents always benefit from the most competitive exchange rates, all items in our catalogues are listed in Canadian dollars only. If you are in the U.S. and paying by credit card, your company will automatically convert the payment to U.S. funds at the time of shipment.

​Should you have any questions in regards to payment methods, please call 1-800-267-1871 and one of our customer service representatives will be happy to assist you.

The United States Customs and Border Protection (USCBP) requires that a US-based Ultimate Consignee or Foreign-based Ultimate Consignee or receiver of the goods provide a U.S. Social Security Number (SSN) or Internal Revenue Service (IRS) employer identification number for any order equal to or exceeding CAD$2,500.

In order to comply with US Customs regulations, the Royal Canadian Mint will now require your SSN or IRS number when you place an order that equals or exceeds CAD$2,500 in value. This information will be recorded in the US Customs Service computer system for customs purposes only.

Anyone living outside of Canada and the United States should contact a local coin dealer to purchase Royal Canadian Mint products. See our dealer locator for details.

Also note, that it is the customer’s responsibility to pay any duties or taxes for any goods shipped to an international address. Any shipping charges for packages returned to us as a result of a customer’s failure to pay customs, duties and taxes will be billed to that customer.

The Royal Canadian Mint has long relied on the definition of financial services or instruments in the Excise Tax Act to determine what coins may be subject to GST/HST.

After conducting internal reviews and consulting external tax advisors, we have determined that some numismatic coins that have been modified to a degree where they no longer fit the narrow criteria for "financial services or instruments" that previously exempted them from taxation.

These modifications include, but are not limited to:

• Embellishments such as sculptures or moving parts
• Crystals, gemstones or diamonds embedded into the coin
• Sculptures and/or other moving parts

We routinely review our business practices to ensure they comply with all applicable laws and standards.

The tax for most of the numismatic coins was based on the financial instrument rules in the Excise Tax Act. While the GST legislation hasn’t changed, the Canada Revenue Agency and court decisions have narrowed the interpretation of the financial services or instruments section of the Excise Tax Act.

We are obligated to collect all applicable federal and provincial or territorial taxes.

In some provinces, sales tax is charged when the overall purity of a coin (including embellishments, jewels, moving parts, etc.) falls below 99.9% pure for silver and 99.5% pure for gold and platinum. In Manitoba and British Columbia, Provincial Sales Tax is charged when the selling price exceeds the face value of the coin.

Applicable sales taxes, in each province and territory, are as follows:

Detailed tax treatment by province and territory is as follows:

• British Columbia, Manitoba: All numismatic coins are already subject to provincial sales tax in British Columbia and Manitoba. As of September 28, 2020, coins that are not subject to GST will also be subject to 5% GST when the modifications impact the overall purity of the coin and the delivery and/or sale occurs in British Columbia or Manitoba.
• Alberta: There is no provincial sales tax in Alberta. As of September 28, 2020, coins that are not Subject to GST will be subject to GST when the modifications impact the overall purity of the coin and the delivery and/or sale occurs in Alberta. The current GST rate is 5%.
• Saskatchewan: As of September 28, 2020, coins that are not subject to GST or Saskatchewan Provincial Tax will be subject to GST and SK PST when the modifications impact the overall purity of the coin and the delivery or sale occurs in Saskatchewan. The current GST rate in Saskatchewan is 5% and the current SK PST rate is 6%.
• Ontario: As of September 28, 2020, coins that are not subject to GST will also be subject to HST when the modifications impact the overall purity of the coin and the delivery or sale occurs in Ontario. The current HST rate in Ontario is 13%.
• Quebec: As of September 28, 2020, coins that are not subject to GST will be subject to GST and QST when the modifications impact the overall purity of the coin and the delivery and/or sale occurs in Quebec. The current GST rate is 5% and QST rate is 9.975% in Quebec.
• Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, Newfoundland and Labrador: As of September 28, 2020, coins that are not subject to GST will also be subject to HST when the modifications impact the overall purity of the coin and the delivery and/or sale occurs in these provinces. The current HST rate in these provinces is 15%.
• Nunavut, Northwest Territories, Yukon Territory: As of September 28, 2020, coins that are not subject to GST will also be subject to GST when the modifications impact the overall purity of the coin and the delivery and/or sale occurs in these territories. The current GST rate in these territories is 5%.

In most countries with a VAT, numismatic coins have always been taxable regardless of purity. The Royal Canadian Mint is not registered for VAT outside Canada, so we do not collect VAT outside Canada.

In the United States, numismatic coins are subject to sales tax, depending on individual state laws. The Royal Canadian Mint is already registered for sales tax in several U.S. jurisdictions and collects tax in these states, when applicable.