New $2 coin with black outer ring honours Queen Elizabeth II

Toonie tribute to the Queen The Royal Canadian Mint releases a new $2 coin to pay tribute to Queen Elizabeth II. CTV's Dave Charbonneau reports.

The Royal Canadian Mint is unveiling a new $2 coin to mark the passing of Queen Elizabeth II.

The coin features a black outer ring reminiscent of a mourning armband, the Mint said in a news release, "echoing the loss felt by millions of Canadians upon the passing of their queen."

The metal composition of the coin remains unchanged from a regular two-dollar coin. The outer ring was given its new look using a black nickel finish.

"It's a really innovative technology that looks really cool," said Stephen Woodland, president of the Royal Canadian Numismatic Association. "I think people who see it are going to like it."

The coin will start circulating later this month. About five million are set to enter the national coin distribution system. They will start appearing gradually as banks restock their inventories.

“Queen Elizabeth II served as Canada’s head of state for seven decades and for millions of Canadians, she was the only monarch they had ever known,” said Marie Lemay, president and CEO of the Royal Canadian Mint. “Our special $2 circulation coin offers Canadians a way to remember her.”

The Mint hosted public coin exchanges at its Ottawa and Winnipeg boutiques on Dec. 7 and 8.

- with files from Dave Charbonneau, CTV News Ottawa