They look simple enough, but coins go through extensive testing before they find their way into our pockets. When the two-dollar circulation coin was introduced in 1996, it was the culmination of some of the most advanced engineering the minting industry had ever seen. Its striking bi-metallic construction had to do more than differentiate the newcoin from the other denominations; it had to support the manufacturing process in a cost effective way while maintaining absolute consistency and structural integrity over the long term.

Concept tokens were an essential part of this development process - and they remain at the forefront of the Royal Canadian Mint's research efforts as it continues to produce coinage for Canada and other countries around the world.
The 2006 10th Anniversary of the two-dollar coin Concept Token Set highlights some of the new concepts that were being explored in the 1990s - a distinctive scalloped shape; increased coin thickness (Piedfort); and an irregular shape featuring a bi-metallic construction. The inclusion of these concept tokens in this set make it unique among the other token sets that have been issued for sale by the Royal Canadian Mint since 1907.

This token set also includes a 2006 circulation two-dollar coin as well as a two-dollar coin featuring the special design that was produced to commemorate the 10th anniversary year of this breakthrough coin.