Yellowknife (Oct 27/04) - With a red poppy printed in the centre, the newest Canadian quarters are the world's first coloured coins.

The coins help observe Remembrance Day to honour all Canadians who have died in wars. They were released Oct. 21 and are uniquely available in Yellowknife at Tim Hortons -- the only commercial distributor of the coins.

New quarter commemorates Remembrance Day

Having the coins at Tim Hortons is something of a marketing coup.

"A lot of people want to buy rolls (of the coins), but we don't have enough in stock," said Robert Young, manager of Yellowknife's Tim Hortons.

The quarters are available on request as part of a customer's change. Tim Hortons has promoted itself for several years as being a fan favourite among Canada's Armed Forces, especially those serving overseas.

"Our veterans and current members of the Canadian Forces are some of our most loyal customers," says Tim Hortons marketing executive vice-president Bill Moir.

"The Mint felt very strongly about dedicating the world's first coloured circulation coin to war veterans," said David Dingwall, president of the Royal Canadian Mint. "The courage and self-sacrifice symbolized by the poppy is universally understood by all Canadians."

The special coins will also be available at the Royal Canadian Legion before Nov. 11, and at financial institutions in the months following.