New $20 4 $20

Ooops, my bad. I just double checked the Mint site and it does say free lettermail shipping.

realpenny may be on to something with the funky credit card charges or an error by the Mint.

The latest CCN (March 15 to 28, 2011) has a story on the $20 and its legal tender status.

.. the Mint "will accept any returns of this production in our boutiques at face value".

"Our boutiques will page returns in cash if the customers prefers that".

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/RoyalCanadianMint

"The Royal Canadian Mint ‎@Michael, Regarding your question about the new $20 coins, these coins are legal tender, but banks and businesses can set conditions as to which bank notes and coins they accept as payment." - February 9 at 7:36pm

"The Royal Canadian Mint ‎@Michael, Yes, we will accept any returns of this product in our boutiques at face value. Thank you for asking." - February 10 at 3:31pm

(Didn't even think that the RCM might have a Facebook page)

dialog_gvf: I can't find that on the facebook page. If that is the case then people should stop using the term NCLT and switch to giftware or granny bait. The latter terms would be more accurate and wouldn't cause confusion.

Anyways, if I was the bank then I would be demanding payments in rare Canadian decimal coins in high grades for face value or else we take back your house or car etc... They could make a fortune and they know the RCM doesn't have the backbone to stand up to them.

Thanks dialog_gvf.

The RCM has undermined their worth considerably with that one statement. As I said, banks can now only demand high grade collector coins or gold/silver maples at "legal tender" face value or you default on your house payment. Nothing is there to stop the banks from doing this. If the Canadian government can't enforce a legal tender standard then it is really just paper and promises and what the banks decide ultimatley. The RCM's reputation is going to get smashed with this coin.

Ugly: Just so you know - holed and bent coins are NOT legal tender by law... not that the law means much.

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I am sure the government has given the banks many extra privileges no one else gets. In return the banks should be expected to deal with the "little hardships" of odd coins. (I guess I forgot though that if you get special privileges from the government you don't need to bare any burden - that is only for the tax payer).

The RCM states "This new Canadian silver commemorative coin is legal tender with a value of $20." More like it costs $20, but it's real world value is next to $0 (NOTHING) according to banks, stores, and most likely the taxman himself. I will not defend the RCM anymore. Their marketing department needs to get buried for this. I am shocked that the RCM didn't claim this coin; if you bought it, would cure cancer as well. If the RCM doesn't change it's tune quickly I hope it gets fazed out. The Bank of Canada should handle real money and the RCM can have the play money (and it should be clearly marketed as such) or make bullion.

Someone reported using one at Tim Horton's on another forum. So the banks might?/will not? take them as legal tender but one Tim Horton's did for a coffee. And of course you can spend them at the RCM for more of their "legal tender play money".

Give it a few days and the RCM's tag line will read: "$20 for $20*. The little * at the bottom will read: "$20 of your real money for $20 of our play money. Or $20 for your real money for ~$7.50 in silver."

On the bright side though this RCM product makes the Bank of Canada's paper bills look great.

I know about bent/holed Realpenny. I was thinking I should make this deposit as painful as possible.

Where did you hear that?