Obverse. Photo © Saskatoon Coin Club
  • 2 Dollars 2000, KM# 399, Canada, Elizabeth II, Third Millennium, Knowledge
  • 2 Dollars 2000, KM# 399, Canada, Elizabeth II, Third Millennium, Knowledge
Description

Millennium edition, the coin value "2 DOLLARS" appears on the obverse instead of on the reverse. It also features three polar bears. The issue date of the 2000 coin is on the reverse instead of the obverse side.

The Canadian two-dollar coin, commonly called the toonie, is the most valuable of the frequently used Canadian coins. "Toonie" is a portmanteau word combining the number "two" with the name of the loonie, Canada's one-dollar coin.

Elizabeth II (Elizabeth Alexandra Mary; 1926–2022) was Queen of the United Kingdom and of 14 other Commonwealth realms. Her reign of 70 years and seven months, which began on 6 February 1952, was the longest of any British monarch in history.

When her father died in February 1952, Elizabeth—then 25 years old—became queen regnant of seven independent Commonwealth countries: the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Pakistan, and Ceylon (Sri Lanka), as well as Head of the Commonwealth. Elizabeth reigned as a constitutional monarch through major political changes such as the Troubles in Northern Ireland, devolution in the United Kingdom, the decolonisation of Africa, and the United Kingdom's accession to the European Communities and withdrawal from the European Union. The number of her realms varied over time as territories have gained independence and some realms have become republics.

Times of personal significance have included the births and marriages of her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren, her coronation in 1953 and the celebrations of her Silver, Golden, Diamond, and Platinum jubilees in 1977, 2002, 2012, and 2022, respectively.

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
2 DOLLARS

Reverse

A female polar bear and her two cubs at the edge of an ice floe, represent the transfer of knowledge from one generation to the next, are surrounded by the bilingual legend and the country name below.

Engraver: Tony Bianco

KNOWLEDGE 2000 LE SAVOIR
TB
CANADA

Edge

2 Dollars

3rd portrait
KM# 399 Schön# 392
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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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