"Many Canadians from coast to coast remember where they were on February 24, 2002 when the final seconds of the game counted down to the exhilaration of Canada's first Olympic gold medal in men's hockey in 50 years," said Ian E. Bennett, President and CEO of the Royal Canadian Mint. "We can each relive the thrill of that magical day by saving this special 25-cent coin while looking forward to new memories which will be made at the Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games."

Up to 22 million 25-cent coins celebrating the men's hockey gold medal at Salt Lake City in 2002 will enter into circulation today, September 29th. In a unique twist, three million of these coins were produced in brilliant colour and inserted randomly into circulation coin rolls.

The coins are available exclusively at RBC branches and participating Petro-Canada locations. RBC is a Premier National Partner and Petro-Canada is a National Partner of the Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games. Canadians can also look for these special coins in their change. Participating Petro-Canada locations will also sell sport cards, containing a uniquely painted version of the coin for $7.95.

The men's hockey gold medal at Salt Lake City in 2002 was voted by fans as the No. 1 Canadian Olympic Winter Games Moment of all time - out of 10 moments - in an online contest hosted earlier this year by the Mint and Canada's Olympic Broadcast Media Consortium. The top three moments will be featured on 25-cent coins. Coming in at No. 2 was the Canadian women's hockey gold medal at Salt Lake City 2002, followed by Cindy Klassen at No. 3 and her five long track speed skating medals at Turin 2006. The coins marking these two moments will be launched into circulation on November 17, 2009 and January 5, 2010 respectively.

Designed by Burlington, Ontario artist Jason Bouwman, the 25-cent coin celebrating the men's hockey gold medal at Salt Lake City in 2002 features a hockey player with arms raised in victory, on the backdrop of a maple leaf. The words 'men's hockey masculin', the year '2002' and the logo of the Canadian Olympic Committee also appear on the reverse of the coin. The three million coloured 25-cent coins, which were produced using state-of-the-art patented technology at the Mint's Winnipeg facility, feature the maple leaf in brilliant red colour.

The Mint has also produced a special uncirculated set featuring all three coloured moments coins, available at www.mint.ca/2010. This set and other Royal Canadian Mint products are also available for purchase by calling 1-800-267-7000. Visitors to www.mint.ca/2010 can request a free coin collector card, to keep all of the circulation coins from the Vancouver 2010 collection.

In addition to the next two moments coins, Canadians can look forward to the release of the remaining 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games themed circulation coins: the 2010 Lucky Loonie coin will be launched on the first day of the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympic Games (February 12, 2010), while the 25-cent coin featuring the sport of sledge hockey will be launched during the Vancouver 2010 Paralympic Games (March 18, 2010).