The Mint adds to the celebration of the team's 100th anniversary with a
limited-edition Proof Silver Dollar

MONTREAL, March 10 /CNW Telbec/ - After a century of dazzling legions of
hockey fans, the Montreal Canadiens are themselves feeling pride and
excitement at the Royal Canadian Mint's official introduction of the 2009
Montreal Canadiens Centennial one-dollar commemorative circulation coin. The
coin was unveiled today at Montreal's Bell Centre by Montreal Canadiens
President Pierre Boivin and Royal Canadian Mint President and CEO Ian E.
Bennett. The Mint also unveiled a limited-edition Montreal Canadiens
Centennial proof silver dollar enhanced with touches of selective gold
plating, and presented two of these precious keepsakes to Canadiens Official
Ambassadors Henri Richard and Réjean Houle.
"The Montreal Canadiens have made an immeasurable contribution to
Canadian sports history and the Mint is delighted to permanently commemorate
this legendary team's 100th anniversary through a special one-dollar
circulation coin," said Ian E. Bennett, President and CEO of the Royal
Canadian Mint. "The legacy of the Montreal Canadiens will be preserved from
coast to coast as Canadians find this coin in their change and save it is as a
treasured symbol of Canada's glorious hockey heritage."
"The Government of Canada is pleased to participate in the celebration of
the 100th anniversary of the Montreal Canadiens," said the Honourable Rob
Merrifield, Minister of State for Transport. "The legacy and traditions of
great success in hockey are captured on this one-dollar circulation coin
created by the Royal Canadian Mint and this coin will allow hockey fans across
the country to be a part of the celebration."
"The Royal Canadian Mint's one-dollar circulation coin paying tribute to
the centennial of the Montreal Canadiens is an exceptional addition to our
team's year-long centennial celebration," said Montreal Canadiens President
Pierre Boivin. "The Montreal Canadiens hold a special place in the hearts of
hockey fans across Canada and thanks to the Royal Canadian Mint, they can own
a piece of Canadiens history every time they collect a 2009 Montreal Canadiens
Centennial one-dollar circulation coin."
Canadians fans across Canada can now look in their change for these new
coins or visit www.mint.ca to find products such as a limited-edition roll of
25 coins retailing for $ 44.95 CDN, among other Montreal Canadiens Centennial
collectibles. On March 11, 2009, Metro, Quebec's largest grocery chain, will
begin the exclusive distribution of the Mint's Montreal Canadiens Centennial
$1 commemorative circulation coin across the province.
"The Metro grocery chain has a long relationship with the Montreal
Canadiens and it is delighted that the Royal Canadian Mint has immortalized
the Canadiens' century of hockey exploits on a new commemorative one-dollar
circulation coin," said Christian Bourbonnière, Metro's Senior Vice President,
Quebec Division. "As the exclusive distributors of the Mint's one-dollar
circulation coin commemorating the centennial of the Montreal Canadiens, we
look forward to welcoming hockey fans in our Metro stores across Quebec and
helping them collect this special keepsake."
Today, the Mint also launched a special-edition proof silver dollar which
is limited to a world-wide mintage of 15,000. It is available for $69.95 CDN
in a clamshell case or $74.95 CDN, if customers choose an innovative acrylic
stand simulating a well-worn ice surface. Selective gold-plating over the
Canadiens centennial official logo and rim of the coin adds a rich contrast to
its proof silver finish. This exquisite, limited-edition keepsake can be
purchased at the Montreal Canadiens' Bell Centre boutique, on-line at
www.mint.ca, or by calling 1-800-267-1871 in Canada and 1-800-268-6468 in the
United States.

About the Royal Canadian Mint

The Royal Canadian Mint is the Crown Corporation responsible for the
minting and distribution of Canada's circulation coins. An ISO 9001-2000
certified company, the Mint is recognized as one of the largest and most
versatile mints in the world, offering a wide range of specialized, high
quality coinage products and related services on an international scale.The
Mint is an Official Supporter of the Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic
Winter Games and has undertaken to produce the most extensive circulation coin
program in relation to the Olympic Games ever conceived by any mint worldwide,
while also offering limited mintage collector coins and sets. Visit
www.mint.ca/2010 for Vancouver 2010 keepsakes and gifts.
Images and product details of the Mint's Montreal Canadiens Centennial
coin products are available by visiting
ftp://communications:RCM2007@ftp.mint.ca

Source: www.cnw.ca