Canada has a new $2 coin and it glows in the dark

A new toonie just entered circulation across Canada, and it might be the coolest $2 coin the Royal Canadian Mint has ever made.

Released on March 31, the 2026 $2 50th Anniversary of the CN Tower coin commemorates 50 years since the iconic structure officially opened to the public on June 26, 1976. The colourized version comes with a glow-in-the-dark effect, making it only the second Canadian circulation coin to feature that technology.

The reverse side was designed by Canadian illustrator Carl Wiens, whose goal was to capture the CN Tower as the centrepiece of a city that has changed dramatically around it.

The inner core shows the tower overlooking Lake Ontario, with Toronto’s current skyline rising above a darker outline of what the city looked like in 1976. The outer ring extends that contrast further, with the 1976 skyline engraved on the left and the 2026 cityscape on the right, including the Rogers Centre.

50th Anniversary of the CN Tower coin.Royal Canadian Mint

“The CN Tower is the ‘Crown Jewel’ of the Toronto skyline,” Wiens said. “My intent was to create a visual tribute that showcased the CN Tower within a growing and changing city.”

He also worked blue tones into the design intentionally. “I also incorporated blue tones to reflect Toronto’s franchises like the Leafs, Jays and Argos, because we all know how passionate Toronto sports fans are,” he said.

To activate the glow effect on the colourized version, expose the coin to natural light or ultraviolet light, then take it somewhere dark. The CN Tower and surrounding skyline illuminate in an electric blue hue. Worth noting: your phone flashlight won’t do the trick, so a UV flashlight is the way to go.

50th Anniversary of the CN Tower coin.Royal Canadian Mint

The obverse features the effigy of King Charles III by Canadian artist Steven Rosati, with the standard gold core and silver outer ring.

50th Anniversary of the CN Tower coin.Royal Canadian Mint

There are three million coins in this limited mintage, split between one million uncoloured and two million colourized versions. The coin is already in circulation, so you could find one in your change as banks and businesses restock their $2 coin supply.

Rolls of the coin are available for purchase via the Mint’s online shop.