Funny, this is the first one I've seen from circulation and I live in downtown Toronto. You'd think there would be millions of these loonies floating around T.O.
Dean
It would seem that way. But the following would help put things in perspective:
The ratio of regular circulation coins to the total commemorative coins is low. There are about 1 billion regular issue coins not including the new laser marked 2012 and 2013 loonies. In comparison the commemorative as a total (in 1994 and 1995 they were the regulars) are less than 100 million.
Some commemorative coins such as the Vancouver lucky loonie, Terry Fox were introduced in much larger numbers than others like the Navy. The ratio is almost 2:1.
Then it is the location where these coins may have been introduced in larger numbers relative to other locations.
Finally it is the hoarding of these coins. I would not underestimate this. For a total of 5 million mintage many are distributed as coin exchanges and are held by collectors at large.
The probability of finding any of these coins that were issued in quantities of 5 million is about the same.
Wonder what the experience has been with Parks Canada Loonie for instance.
In any case things will be get more scarcer as the alloy recovery program results in more 2012 and 2013 new loonies replacing the older coins