The next coin in my burgeoning $5 commemorative collection is the 2006 Breast Cancer Awareness (BCA) coin. The coin is one of the four that I had purchased in the past, well before I decided to pursue Canada's $5 series of 36 millimeter silver commemorative coins. I purchased it in 2017, prior to the 2018 release of the three United States Breast Cancer Awareness commemorative coins. I figured it would pair well with the
US coins in an exhibit and during show-and-tell at my local coin club.
At the time of my purchase, the Canadian non-circulating legal tender (NCLT) coin market was a bit stronger than it is at present. I paid $47.95 CAD for the coin in 2017. Today, I could buy it for about $40 CAD. The issue price for the coin was $59.95 CAD.
In 2006, the
Royal Canadian Mint (
RCM) collaborated with the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation (CBC Foundation) to raise awareness about breast cancer; the campaign was implemented under the banner of "Creating a Future without Breast Cancer." The CBC Foundation was organized in 1986 and was thus celebrating its 20th anniversary of raising funds for breast cancer research and raising awareness about breast cancer. Press releases of the time noted that 21,000 women were diagnosed with breast cancer in 2005, and that more than 5,000 women had died of the disease during the year.
The collaboration was something new for the
RCM. Pamela Aung Thin, then Vice President, Communications for the
RCM stated, "It's the first time we've actually tried to create an awareness for a cause." The primary RCM-CBC Foundation vehicle for raising awareness about breast cancer was a colourized 25-cent circulating coin that featured a pink ribbon on a white circle on its reverse.
(An interesting side note: The Public Health Agency of Canada estimates that in 2019 26,900 women would be diagnosed with breast cancer and 5,000 would die of it. [2020 estimates are not yet available.] It could be inferred from these statistics that while increased awareness has resulted in more breast cancer cases coming to light, earlier detection is working to save a higher percentage of lives.) The CBC Foundation merged with the Canadian Cancer Society (CCS) in 2017; you can learn more about the CCS at:
http://www.cancer.ca/.
The looped pink-ribbon quarter was designed by Cosme Saffioti, the Mint's Director of Engraving R&D and Master Engraver (he retired in March 2011). In addition to the painted pink ribbon on a white background at the center of the coin's reverse, the design also includes three ribbons (engraved) that surround the center; the engraved ribbons are not coloured. The pink ribbon is internationally recognized as a symbol of hope and awareness regarding breast cancer. The coin was the
RCM's second release of a circulating coloured coin; its first (and the world's first) was the 25-cent red poppy coin issued in 2004.
The 25-cent coins were initially distributed through Shoppers Drug Mart/Pharma Prix stores; the stores were selected as the result of a request for proposal / competitive bidding process. The
RCM struck 29,798,000 BCA quarters in total (its plan called for up to 30 million); the first of the coins entered circulation on April 1, 2006.
The
RCM created two collector products for the circulating coin: rolls of the 25-cent piece and a First Day Coin folder (see images of the FDC folder below). The 2007
RCM Annual Report lists 1,102 rolls as having been sold; I didn't see the rolls listed in the 2006 AR. The combined 2006 and 2007 AR sales figures for the FDC folder total 7,348 (7,256 + 92, respectively).
The silver $5 collector coin has a completely different design vs. the circulating 25-cent coin. The
RCM described the design as follows: "Since 1986, the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation has raised millions through partnerships, donations and national fundraising events. These elements as well as the recognition that this is a family disease are depicted on this finely crafted coin. Central to the design is the pink ribbon worn by millions to show their support for the cause." Starting at the top and moving clockwise, my eyes see a father and child wearing skull caps in support of a wife and mother who lost her hair during treatment, a researcher working on a cure, a young girl, a medical treatment team, two hands clasped in a show of support and a woman who has just finished running in a breast cancer fundraising race with her arms raised in triumph while wearing a breast cancer awareness pink ribbon. At the center is a large, colourized Ribbon of Hope; the pink colour is enameled vs. painted. The coin was designed by Christie Paquet, an engraver at the
RCM.
The $5 coin was struck as a proof on a 0.9999 fine silver planchet. The coin has a weight of 25.175 grams and a diameter of 36.07 millimeters; the coin features a reeded / serrated edge.
The Susanna Blunt portrait of a right-facing Queen Elizabeth II is on the coin's obverse.
The coin had a mintage limit of 15,000. Per the
RCM Annual Report for 2006, the coin had total sales of 11,048 which is ~74% of the maximum.
(Note: No sales were reported in the 2007 Annual Report.)The $5 coin was recognized within the Krause Publications Coin of the Year (COTY) Awards for 2006-dated coins; it was a co-winner in the "Most Inspirational Coin" category (it shared the award with the gold five euro coin from Finland that marked the 150th anniversary of the demilitarization of the Aland Islands). The coin's award was announced at the World Money Fair in Berlin in February, 2008.
(Note: The annual COTY Awards are always for coins issued two years prior; the time lag gives enough time to receive nominations, judge them and select the winners.)Adding the $48 CAD I spent on the Breast Cancer Awareness $5 coin to the $57 I spent for the Alberta and Saskatchewan $5 coins, my total spend so far is $105 against a three-coin budget of $120. So, though I'm $8 over on the BCA coin, my overall budget is still on target.
One comment about all of the coins I am adding to my $5 collection, each of them is complete with original packaging and paperwork. I could purchase most, if not all, of the coins for less without all of the original materials, but I prefer to own them as they were issued from the RCM. One final note...
From what I can tell, the
RCM created just one product that specifically generated funds for the CBC Foundation. It created a bookmark that included an embedded 25-cent coin with a distinctly different design vs. the standard circulating coin. The bookmark coin has an engraved and coloured pink ribbon at its center, the center area is not painted white, there is a raised circular border around the center and the three engraved ribbons that surround the center are all coloured in pink (vs. being uncoloured on the circulation coin). The quarter is a distinct variety for collectors of Canada's 25-cent coin series. The bookmarks sold for $13.95 with $1.00 being donated to the CBC Foundation for each one sold. Per
RCM reporting, 40,911 of the bookmarks were sold. (Images of the bookmark are shown below.)
Note: Inner Panel in closed position.
Note: Inner Panel in opened position; right two panels.
Posted 02/06/2020 09:01 am
