Canadian Arctic Expedition
Royal Canadian Mint President Ian Bennett, at left, and Dr. David Gray, a Research Associate at the Canadian Museum of Nature in Ottawa,unveil a model of one of two new quarters at the Nellie McClung branch of the Greater Victoria Public Library on Cedar Hill Road. The quarters celebrate the 100 year anniversary of the first official Canadian Arctic expedition and life in the Canadian North. The expedition departed from Esquimalt harbour. Dr. David Gray, a Research Associate at the Canadian Museum of Nature in Ottawa, is an expert on the Arctic expedition and a native of Esquimalt.— Image Credit: Don Denton/News Staff
New coins celebrate Victoria's role in Arctic expedition
by Don Denton - Victoria News
posted Nov 22, 2013 at 12:00 PM— updated Nov 22, 2013 at 5:13 PM
The president of the Royal Canadian Mint, Ian Bennett, was on hand Friday morning to help unveil Canada's latest quarter coins at the Nellie McClung branch of the Greater Victoria Public Library.
Helping to unveil the coins were Nanaimo-Alberni MP James Lunney and David Gray, a research associate with the Canadian Museum of Nature. Twenty-five million of the 25 cent commemorative coins will begin to be distributed into circulation today.
The coins celebrate the 100th anniversary of Canada's first official Arctic expedition as well as life in the north. The expedition set out from Victoria, sailing from Esquimalt harbour. The Prime Minister at the time Sir Robert Borden sent the expedition to map the western Arctic and to study the peoples, wildlife and geology.
Gray, who was born in Esquimalt, is an expert on the 1913 expedition and has made several trips to the sites visited by the original explorers.
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Coins Honoring Louis Braille
Louis Braille
Louis Braille (4 January 1809 – 6 January 1852) was a French educator and inventor of a system of reading and writing for use by the blind or visually impaired. His system remains known worldwide simply as braille.
Blinded in both eyes as a result of an early childhood accident, Braille mastered his disability while still a boy. He excelled in his education and received scholarship to France's Royal Institute for Blind Youth. While still a student there, he began developing a system of tactile code that could allow blind persons to read and write quickly and efficiently. Inspired by the military cryptography of Charles Barbier, Braille constructed a new method built specifically for the needs of the blind. He presented his work to his peers for the first time in 1824.[1]
2009 Louis Braille Coins
1. Belgian 2-euro commemorative coin
The newest Belgian 2-euro commemorative coin is dedicated to Louis Braille (1809 – 1852) and the 200th anniversary of his birthday.
Louis Braille is the inventor of braille, the world-wide system used by blind and visually impaired people for reading and writing. The inner part of the coin features his portrait between his initials L and B, in the alphabet that he designed.[2]
2. Italy 2-euro commemorative coin
The coin depicts a hand reading an open book by touch. The index finger points at a vertical inscription ‘LOUIS BRAILLE 1809-2009’ and two birds in flight above the hand symbolise freedom of knowledge. The monogram of the Italian Republic, ‘RI’, is at the top right, while the mint mark ‘R’ is at the bottom right. Braille’s name is written under the book in the alphabet that he invented. At the very bottom are the initials ‘MCC’ of the artist Maria Carmela Colaneri. The 12 stars of the European Union are shown on the outer ring.[3]
3. India 2 Rupee Coin
Obverse : The face of coin is divided into three portions with two horizontal lines. The left centre portion shall bear the Lion Capitol of Ashoka Pillar with the legend सत्यमेव जयते inscribed below, and right centre portion denominational value "2" in International Numeral. In the upper portion the word भारत in Hindi and "INDIA" in English and lower portion the word रूपये in Hindi and "Rupees" in English.
Reverse : The face of the coin shall contain the portrait of "LOUIS BRAILLE" in the centre. Left upper periphery the word लुई ब्रेल in Hindi and right upper periphery the word " LOUIS BRAILLE "in English. In centre Left side of the portraits, the year '1809 and right side '2009' in International Numerals. Below the portrait the word "LOUIS BRAILLE" in Braille Language.[4]
4. US Commemorative Silver Dollar
Now, for the first time in history, a United States coin features readable Braille. It is available in both proof and uncirculated versions. The obverse (heads) features a portrait of Louis Braille designed by United States Mint Artistic Infusion Program (AIP) Master Designer Joel Iskowitz and sculpted by United States Mint Sculptor/Engraver Phebe Hemphill. It is also inscribed with LIBERTY, IN GOD WE TRUST, LOUIS BRAILLE, 1809 and 2009.
The reverse (tails), showing a child reading a book in Braille, was designed by United States Mint AIP Master Designer Susan Gamble and sculpted by United States Mint Sculptor/Engraver Joseph Menna. The word Braille (abbreviated Brl in Braille code) is depicted in the upper field. The word INDEPENDENCE is featured on a bookshelf behind the child, in addition to the inscriptions UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, ONE DOLLAR and E PLURIBUS UNUM.[5]
[1] en.wikipedia.org REF
[2] nbbmuseum.be REF
[3] ecb.europa.eu REF
[4] rbi.org.in REF
[5] usmint.gov REF
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