Ottawa Approves New $2 Coin Design to Celebrate CN Tower

The Toronto skyline in a file photo. The Canadian Press/Tijana Martin

Ottawa has approved a new two-dollar coin design that commemorates the opening of the CN Tower in Toronto 50 years ago.

A government order said the coin will begin production and enter circulation by June 2026.

Two styles have been approved: one is in colour and features glow-in-the-dark elements, while the other will have no additional colour or features, according to the government order.

“These coins will provide the Canadian population the opportunity to engage with and learn more about the story of a national icon and the symbol of national pride that stood as the world’s tallest freestanding structure for over three decades,” the federal government said.

The design of the coloured coin will include an image of the CN Tower in black and white, along with a historical skyline of downtown Toronto in black behind the tower. An image of a contemporary skyline of downtown Toronto in white and dark blue will be placed behind the historical skyline.

The coin design will also include a light blue sky with dark blue radial lines behind the contemporary skyline with the inscription “50 years/ans” in black and white superimposed over the sky. Light blue water will be seen below the CN Tower and have a dark blue reflection of the tower and the historical skyline.

Two virtual images of a maple leaf will appear between two slanted lines centred at the top, with “Canada” inscribed over the historical skyline of downtown Toronto on the left of the ring. The image of a contemporary skyline of downtown Toronto will be on the right of the outer ring.

The coloured coin will also contain two security marks and the inscriptions “La Tour,” “CN,” and “Tower” between the marks.

The uncoloured coin will have the same design, but will not have the additional colouring.

The CN Tower’s construction began in February 1973 by more than 1,500 workers who worked 24-hour shifts, five days a week, according to the government order. The 553.33-metre tower was completed in April 1975, and officially opened in June 1976.

For 35 years, it was the world’s tallest structure. The government said the building was one of Canada’s “most iconic landmarks and a symbol of national pride.”

For the Tower’s 30th anniversary, a special collector coin was released, featuring an image of the CN Tower and using hologram technology.

The technology gave the coin a three-dimensional look that is created by photographic methods, according to a 2006 government news release. The 99.99 percent pure silver CN Tower collector coin was being sold for almost $70 at the time.

The 2006 CN Tower coin was the second coin issued in the Architectural Treasure series. The first was a 2006 Notre Dame Basilica of Montreal coin, which also had hologram features.