2 Dollars In the name of Elizabeth II; Polar Bear
2023 year| Silver (.9999) | 31.39 g | 38 mm |
| Issuer | Canada |
|---|---|
| King | Charles III (2022-date) |
| Type | Non-circulating coin |
| Year | 2023 |
| Value | 2 Dollars 2 CAD = USD 1.48 |
| Currency | Dollar (1858-date) |
| Composition | Silver (.9999) |
| Weight | 31.39 g |
| Diameter | 38 mm |
| Shape | Round |
| Technique | Milled |
| Orientation | Medal alignment ↑↑ |
| Updated | 2024-10-04 |
| Numista | N#365945 |
|---|---|
| Rarity index | 80% |
Reverse
The centre portion shows an adult polar bear in early summer on an ice floe, while the circular frame bears the “W” (Winnipeg) mint mark.
Script: Latin
Lettering:
CANADA
W
BT
2 DOLLARS
Designer: Brent Townsend
Edge
Serrated
Comment
The first in a six-part series of 1 oz. 99.99% pure silver coins.
New from the Winnipeg Mint! The Tribute: W Mint Mark series celebrates Canada’s circulation coins and tells their story, beginning with our “youngest” circulation coin: the $2 piece, or Toonie.
Re-created in 99.99% pure silver with a tailored specimen finish and the “W” mint mark of the Winnipeg Mint, this all-silver tribute to Canada’s bi-metallic circulation coin features the beloved polar bear design that has appeared on hundreds of millions of $2 pieces since the coin denomination was introduced on February 19, 1996.
Tailored specimen finish
The Toonie’s classic polar bear design features a satin sheen, while the field’s textured appearance is the result of angled lines inspired by the Winnipeg Mint’s pyramid-shaped building.
Struck in Winnipeg: Canada’s $2 Coin
Introduced on February 19, 1996 as a more durable and cost-effective replacement for the $2 banknote, the “Toonie” broke new ground as the first Canadian bimetallic circulation coin—an innovative feat made possible by a patented locking mechanism and a new striking process.
The Toonie’s iconic polar bear is instantly recognizable, but did you know it has a name? In 2006, we held a Name Our Polar Bear Contest, and “Churchill” was the first-place winner with 34% of the 166,635 votes cast. Fittingly, it’s a nod to the northern Manitoba community that is famous for polar bear watching. The runners-up in our naming contest were Wilbert (26%) and Plouf (15%).
DID YOU KNOW?
Canada’s $2 circulation coin is the only denomination that has been exclusively struck in Winnipeg from the start—and our facility can produce at a rate of 650 strikes per minute!
Thirty years—that’s the estimated life expectancy for a Toonie, while the old $2 paper banknote was expected to last just one year.
The 2022 $2 Commemorative Polar Bear coin was the first circulation coin to feature a black design feature.
Interesting fact
The interesting fact about this coin is that it features a unique polar bear design, showcasing the animal in its natural habitat. The coin's design is meant to highlight the importance of preserving Canada's Arctic ecosystem and the need to protect the polar bear's habitat from the impacts of climate change.
Price
| Date | Mintage | VG | F | VF | XF | AU | UNC |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 W | 7500 | - | - | - | - | - | - |
Values in the table are based on evaluations by sales realized on Internet platforms. They serve as an indication only for 2 Dollars (In the name of Elizabeth II; Polar Bear) 2023 coin.
