Money raised from new Royal Canadian Mint pysanka coins to go to Ukraine relief

Funds raised by the sales of this year’s pysanka coins — coins specially crafted by the Royal Canadian Mint to celebrate traditional Ukrainian folk art — will be donated entirely to the Red Cross Ukraine Humanitarian Crisis Appeal.

Talking to The Sam Laprade Show on Wednesday, March 2, Marie Lemay, CEO of the Mint, said that both the 2022 gold and silver coins will go on sale on March 8.

“It started back in 2016,” Lemay said. “The first one was released to recognize the 125th anniversary of the Ukrainian settlement in Canada. It has become a really proud annual tradition that reflects the artistry of Ukrainian culture in Canada.”

The Mint conducts its own research and works with external partners to solicit artists for its coin designs — and in the case of the pysanka-themed coins, they solicit Ukrainian-Canadian artists.

“The artists that we’ve recruited over the years, they bring to these coins their own signature in interpretation of the theme. If you have a chance to see one, they’re just so beautiful.”

This 1 oz pure silver pysanka coin’s reverse is designed by Canadian artist Dave Wasylyshen. 

By using four or more colours, this year’s silver pysanka conveys a blessing for a family’s property: blue for the sky and good health; red for passion and happiness; yellow for youth and light; white for purity and birth; and black for eternity and the dark time before dawn. 

The pure gold pysanka coin is designed by Canadian artist Dave Melnychuk. 

The central motif features the Tree of Paradise (or Tree of Life), a foundational symbol that represents renewal and creation, health and wisdom, a long life and eternal youth. 

There are 5,500 silver coins and 250 gold coins minted. 

According to Lemay, the coins are revered by many coin collectors, leading to sell-out sales, year after year. 

This year isn’t expected to be any different.

“We increased the mintage of the silver coins this year to reflect the coin’s popularity,” Lemay explained. “As in past years, we do expect all the coins to sell out quickly.”

If the coins do sell out, then the Mint anticipates they will be donating above $300,000 to the Canadian Red Cross Ukraine Humanitarian Crisis Appeal Fund.