The Bank of Canada Museum announced on May 7 the opening of a new exhibition, “Montréal 1976: The legacy of the Olympic coins,” marking the 50th anniversary of the Montréal Olympics. The exhibition explores how specially designed collector coins helped fund Canada’s first Olympic Games and became symbols of national ambition.
The event highlights one of the largest commemorative coin programs in Canadian history. Between 1973 and 1976, Canadians purchased silver and gold coins created for the Olympics, raising $108 million to support the Games. This initiative turned public enthusiasm into significant financial backing for a major national project.
“The Olympic Coin Program was novel in several ways,” said Curator David Bergeron. “Not only was it the first coin program created to support a major national project in Canada, but the coins themselves were the first ever struck in a large format to feature the spectacular designs from several Canadian artists.”
Visitors to the exhibition will see complete sets from the Montréal Olympic Coin Program, including gold coins, production materials, and public design submissions. Interactive features such as a design station allow guests to create their own Olympic coin designs for display. The museum reports that many objects are being shown publicly for the first time.
“Montréal 1976: The legacy of the Olympic coins” will be open at the Bank of Canada Museum until March 22, 2027. Admission is free every day during regular hours at its Ottawa location.
The Bank of Canada manages currency and digital payments while regulating retail payment systems and oversees monetary policy within Canada’s financial sector according to its official website.
