Canadian Bobsleigh Hologram Silver Coin

With the Royal Canadian Mint’s release of the circulating 25-cent bobsleigh coin on Tuesday, perhaps it is time to think about the tenth silver coin in the Mint’s 2010 Vancouver Silver 15-coin series — the $25 Bobsleigh Hologram Silver Coin.

Like the preceding coins, it was launched to help celebrate the upcoming Olympic Games to be held in Vancouver, British Columbia in the winter of 2010. This unique coin joins a collection that highlights fifteen different sports and traditions that will be a part of the Winter Games.

Beginning in 2007 the Mint offered Curling, Hockey, Athletes’ Pride, Biathlon and Alpine Skiing. 2008 saw the release of Snowboarding, Freestyle Skiing, Home of the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympic Games, Figure Skating and our featured Bobsleigh. In 2009, the list includes Speed Skating, Cross-Country Skiing, Olympic Spirit, Skeleton and Ski-Jumping.

"Today marks only 234 days until Vancouver hosts the biggest sporting event in the world," said Ian E. Bennett, President and CEO of the Royal Canadian Mint. "Through our innovative circulation coin program, the Mint is providing Canadians from coast to coast to coast with a unique way to collect a piece of the Games, which will serve as a lasting reminder of this extraordinary moment in our country’s history."

The coins are available separately, or as a part of sets. The Olympic Motto Citius, Altius, Fortius (Faster, Higher, Stronger) is used to differentiate one such collection. As the sport of bobsleighing is all about speed (sometimes hundredths of seconds define a winner), the Bobsleigh Hologram coin is featured in the Citius or Faster set.

The true history of bobsleighing (also known as bobsledding) goes back only a few centuries. According to historians, Europeans in Switzerland took small delivery sleds that were normally pulled and crafted them into sleighs that had a crude steering mechanism. Winter vacationers then took these sleighs and raced them down the hillside. From this rickety beginning, a sport gradually emerged and it became part of the first Winter Olympics at Chamonix, France, in 1924.

Normally two or four persons occupy a sled as it goes racing down the track at speeds nearing 100 miles an hour. The course consists of stone or concrete, covered with snow that has been soaked with water to create an ice track. The banks of the course can be as high as 20 feet.

Bobsleigh silver coin specifications, price and order details

The hologram coin celebrating this invigorating sport is composed of 92.5% silver and 7.5% copper. It has a weight of 27.78 grams with a width of 40 mm.

This proof coin features an image of a Maple Leaf emblazoned bobsled racing down the track with four heads clearly seen huddled together. On the left of the action image is a hologram effect featuring the Vancouver 2010 Olympic logo and snowflakes.

The coin has a face value of CAN $25 with a mintage of 45,000. Currently available for the price of $71.95 (CAD), the coin may be ordered directly from the Royal Canadian Mint’s online store at:

Silver Hologram Coin – Bobsleigh

The $25 silver coin, a 25-cent circulating version housed within a sports card for $7.95, a first day 25-cent coin for $15.95, and coin rolls for $16.95 are also available through www.mint.ca/2010, or by calling the Mint at 1-800-267-7000.

$25 Bobsleigh silver coin image

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.