Obverse. Photo © NumisCorner.com
  • 2 Dollars 1999, KM# 357, Canada, Elizabeth II, The Founding of Nunavut
  • 2 Dollars 1999, KM# 357, Canada, Elizabeth II, The Founding of Nunavut
  • 2 Dollars 1999, KM# 357, Canada, Elizabeth II, The Founding of Nunavut, Nunavut Mule
Description

2 Dollars 1999 coin had a special design to commemorate the founding of Nunavut. Nunavut is the newest, largest, northernmost, and least populous territory of Canada. It was separated officially from the Northwest Territories on April 1, 1999. The creation of Nunavut resulted in the first major change to Canada's political map since the incorporation of the province of Newfoundland and Labrador in 1949.

This design appeared on all 1999 two-dollar coins produced for general circulation. In 1999 the Polar Bear design appeared only in a limited number of special coin sets produced for the collector market.

At some point of the production, the dies designed for the silver and gold version of this design were used to mint regular circulation coins. In the silver and gold version, there is no raised ring between the outer and inner core of the coin. As a result, some uncirculated sets were produced with this "mule" coin.

Obverse

Third portrait of HM Queen Elizabeth II, when she was 64 years old, facing right, wearing the George IV State Diadem and surrounded by the inscription. This was the first to be designed by a Canadian, Dora de Pédery-Hunt. The mint mark of the Royal Canadian Mint (Maple Leaf) above.

The George IV State Diadem, officially the Diamond Diadem, is a type of crown that was made in 1820 for King George IV. The diadem is worn by queens and queens consort in procession to coronations and State Openings of Parliament. The piece of jewellery has been featured in paintings and on stamps and currency. It can be seen in the Queen's Gallery at Buckingham Palace.

Dei Gratia Regina (often abbreviated to D. G. Regina and seen as D·G·REGINA) is a Latin title meaning By the Grace of God, Queen.

Engraver: Dora de Pédery-Hunt

ELIZABETH II D • G • REGINA
1999

Reverse

A reproduction of a silkscreen print which represents an Inuit drummer is surrounded by the legend "NUNAVUT" both in the Latin alphabet and the Inuktitut syllabary, the inscription "CANADA" and the facial value.

Engraver: Germaine Arnaktauyok (b. 1946), an Inuk printmaker, painter, and drawer originating from the Igloolik area of Nunavut, then the Northwest Territories

G.A.
NUNAVUT ᓄᓇᕗᑦ
CANADA 2 DOLLARS

Edge
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Characteristics
Type Commemorative Issue (Circulating)
Material Bi-Metallic
Ring Nickel
Center Aluminium Bronze
Weight 7.3 g
Diameter 28 mm
Thickness 1.8 mm
Shape round
Alignment Medal
Mint
Royal Canadian Mint (Maple Leaf)

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