2016-11-15 Tue

The 75th Anniversary of the Battle of the Atlantic during World War II was celebrated by Canada with the release of a circulating commemorative ringed-bimetallic $2 coin. This would be the second time that the mint is issuing a coin of such a theme.

The coin was unveiled on 20th October during a special function in Halifax, Nova Scotia, on HMCS Sackville, the last of 123 Canadian corvettes to sail in World War II. Veterans of the war who served in the Atlantic were also invited to attend the event.

The Battle of the Atlantic went on for 6 long years. Officials stated that Canada played a vital role to protect the shipping lanes essential to the Allied war effort and help ensure victory.

Canadian maritime artist Yves Berube created the reverse design featuring an anti-aircraft gunman at the deck of a corvette; an Allied aircraft targeting submarines; and a merchant ship protected by a navy vessel. The obverse features the Susanna Blunt effigy of Queen Elizabeth II.

5 million new $2 coins have been struck for release into circulation.