This is Canada’s new coin featuring a heart-shaped gem

The Canadian Mint has unveiled a collector’s new coin that is probably superior to flowers and chocolates if you’re at a loss for Valentine’s Day presents.

The Canadian Mint has unveiled a new collector's coin that might just trump flowers and chocolates if you're stumped on Valentine's Day gifts. Billed as exuding romance, the Love is Precious coin features a vibrant tropical design.

This stunning Love is Precious—Macaw 1 oz. Silver New Coin showcases two macaws displaying romance amidst colourful flowers, according to the website. Nestled between them on the new coin is a crimson heart-shaped cubic zirconia. Delicately inscribed along the edge within an elaborate border is the statement, "Love is precious."

An image of King Charles III is featured on the opposite side of the coin, which weighs 31.39 g, has a diameter of 40 mm and is composed of 99.9% pure silver. The new coin has a face value of CAD 1.63 or $2 NZ and was crafted by the New Zealand Mint for Niue, a tiny self-governing island nation in the South Pacific Ocean with about 2,000 people that's in free association with New Zealand.

Also, because presentation matters, the Love is Precious coin comes in a graphic beauty box adorned with macaws.

With only 3,000 of these coins available worldwide, you may want to get yours quickly. While it won't be widely available in stores, you can get it online. The website states that the new coin will retail for $149.95 and is expected to ship on Feb. 12.

It's worth noting that among the Mint's more unique recent releases is the massive Big Silver Maple Leaf, a $1,000 piece that weighs 10 kilograms, about the same as three Canadian babies. Also available for 2025 is a collector coin commemorating Hogan's Alley, a Black neighbourhood that thrived in Vancouver's Strathcona neighbourhood until the early 1970s.

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Many Canadians are accustomed to using the $2 coins, also known as "toonies," in daily transactions. However, some coins from Canada’s past are incredibly valuable and worth substantially more than their face value. Among them are rare $2 coins from the Victorian era that were minted during Newfoundland's colonial history and now fetch a maximum price of about $27,000.

These coins were produced in the late 1800s when Newfoundland was a British colony. The coins carry historical significance as they were created during Queen Victoria's reign and are now highly sought after by numismatists and collectors due to their limited production and unique characteristics.

In contrast to modern tonies, these rare coins were made of gold, adding intrinsic numismatic value. Their rarity, pristine condition and the historical narrative attached to them contribute to their hefty price tags. In this article, we have highlighted three exceptional coins that have captivated the attention of collectors.

Historical Newfoundland $2 Coin

Before Newfoundland joined Canada in 1949, it operated its own currency system. One denomination of note is the $2 coin, which was issued during Queen Victoria's reign. These coins represent an important era in Newfoundland's history as a British colony.

Unlike later Canadian coins, which primarily used nickel and copper-nickel compositions, the $2 coin was made of gold, making it distinct.

The 1872 Victoria Gold (Reeded Edge)

In numismatics, the 1872 Victoria Gold (Reeded Edge) is one of the rarest and most sought-after coins. Because of its scarcity — less than ten coins were ever made — it is a true gem for collectors. Here are the new coin's main important features:

The rarity of the new coin is likely because it was struck for a specific purpose, such as an experiment or a commemorative piece, which makes it even more unique and appealing to collectors.