The 100th Anniversary special edition dime was recently awarded the Best Circulation at the Coin of the Year Awards. Image: Royal Canadian Mint.

The Bluenose is still winning prizes after over 100 years since it first set sail.

However, its latest triumph wasn’t in the water, but rather in the world of coins.

In 2021, to honor the Bluenose’s 100th anniversary the Royal Canadian Mint changed the design of the dime for the first time since 1937 when the Bluenose was first put on the dime.

The design featured the Bluenose traveling under full sail with a splash of blue for the ocean. It was entered into one of the most prestigious categories at the Coin of the Year Awards, Best Circulation.

It beat out nine other coins from around the world that were selected as finalists but ultimately a panel of judges crowned the Canadian dime as the best-circulating coin of 2021.

The nominees for the 2022 Coin of the Year, Best Circulation Category. Image: Numismatic News.

In addition to the coloured version which won the award the Royal Canadian Mint also produced non-colored versions with the same design.

Although the coins were only made in 2021 they can still be readily found today as most are still in circulation.

The Royal Candian Mint also claimed the Best Crown prize at the Coin of the Year Awards which recognizes coins that range from 37-45 millimeters in diameter for a special $20 black and gold coin that featured two wolf heads in a yin and yang design.

The Royal Candian Mint were awarded the Best Crown award at the Coin of the Year Awards for their 2021 $20 Fine Silver Coin – Black and Gold: The Grey Wolf. Image Royal Canadian Mint.

“The Mint is passionate about finding new ways to showcase Canada on coins that represent the highest levels of craftsmanship, design and innovation,” said Marie Lemay, President and CEO of the Royal Canadian Mint. “To win not only one, but two Coin of the Year Awards in the same year is an amazing recognition that our coins are indeed best-in-class, and admired by collectors around the world.”

The annual Coin of the Year competition receives nominations from an international consortium of mint representatives and numismatists. The judging is conducted by an international panel of the world’s leading mint officials, medalists, journalists, central bank and museum officials. The winners were selected from among 100 finalists spanning ten categories.