‘It’s unreal’: Winnipeggers line up for Unknown Soldier coin exchange

A new $2 coin released by the Royal Canadian Mint pays tribute to Canada’s Unknown soldier.

A long line of Winnipeggers could be seen standing outside the Royal Canadian Mint on Tuesday to take part in a Remembrance Day event and add a meaningful commemorative coin to their collections.

“I can’t believe it,” said attendee Eugene Gawalko, estimating there were a couple hundred people in the line.

“We’ve been here often, and I cannot believe the lineup here. It’s unreal.”

From noon to 4 p.m. on Tuesday, the Mint is hosting a coin exchange for Canada’s Unknown Soldier $2 commemorative coin.

According to the Mint, the coin serves as a call to remember, marking the 25th anniversary of the repatriation of Canada’s Unknown Soldier.

The coin was designed by Canadian artist Mary-Ann Liu and includes an image of a poppy, as well as the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier that sits in front of the National War Memorial. It also features the silhouettes of four sentries as well as a bilingual inscription that says, “Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.”

The coin exchange is on at the Mint’s Winnipeg boutique, located at 520 Lagimodiere Blvd.

Each attendee is subject to a coin limit, while supplies last. The coin exchange is a cash-only event, though any Canadian circulation coin or banknote is accepted.

The Mint will be hosting another Unknown Soldier coin exchange from Nov. 28 to 29.