The Royal Canadian Mint and The Royal Canadian Legion have unveiled the world's first coloured circulation coin. The 25-cent coin features a red poppy, the symbol that pays homage to the 117,000 Canadians who have died while in the service of the nation.
Right now, this coin is available exclusively at Tim Hortons. The coins will also be available at financial institutions in the coming months, but right now it's Tims or nothing. I was excited to get my first poppy coin last week, but the excitement was short lived.
The red from the poppy in the center of the coin rubbed off rather easily. When I took the coin out of my pocket the red was already partially scratched off. The Royal Canadian Mint claims with normal wear and tear the colour should remain for one to three years. With normal wear and tear, my poppy coin didn't make it one to three hours. They add that the red can be removed by harsh chemicals or friction, but how are they defining "friction". There will be friction in the cash register and friction in ones pocket. Doesn't that qualify as "normal wear and tear"?
I like the poppy and I don't even mind the fact it's only available at Tim Hortons, an American owned operation, but I'm rather disturbed by how easily it can be tarnished.
It's more than a little insulting to the 117,000 Canadians who have died while in the service of the nation.
