1 Dollar - Elizabeth II Lucky Loonie 2012

The "Lucky Loonie" tradition traces to the 2002 Salt Lake City Winter Olympics, when icemaker Trent Evans buried a loonie beneath center ice at the E Center arena — a secret kept until Canadian gold medals in both men's and women's hockey were secured. The RCM formalized the concept into an ongoing program, issuing commemorative versions ahead of subsequent Games. The 2012 edition was tied to the London Summer Olympics.

Struck in .9999 fine silver rather than the standard aureate-plated steel of circulation loonies, these were collector issues from the outset — never intended for a pocket.