John Paul II coin minted

There’s a uniquely Canadian way of celebrating Pope John Paul II’s canonization, courtesy of the Royal Canadian Mint.

The mint has issued pure gold and pure silver collector coins with face values of $25 and $10. But with an initial price of $649.95 for the gold coin and $69.95 for the silver, these aren’t the kind of coins anybody will use to pay for groceries.

There will only be 1,500 gold John Paul II coins struck, and just 8,500 of the silver. The coins went on sale as of April 1. The Mint takes orders at 1-800-267-1871, on its www.mint.ca web site and at select Canada Post outlets and Royal Canadian Mint boutiques.

The mint chose to honour John Paul II for his universal significance, but also because he was the first pope in history to visit Canada. The image on the coins is taken from a photograph of the pope offering Mass in Canada in 1984.