Royal Canadian Mint Poppy Canada Flower of Remembrance in the USA Now a Mysterious Canadian Spy Coin

The supposed nano-technology on the coin actually was a protective coating the Royal Canadian Mint applied to prevent the poppy's red color from rubbing off. The Royal Canadian Mint perfected a high speed colouring process that will generate 30 million coins. The process ensures that the colour adheres to the metal and is resistant against wear from daily use or from exposure to common household products and detergents. With normal wear and tear, the colour should remain for one to three years, but can be removed with harsh chemicals or friction. A permanent poppy has been struck on the coin, which will retain its full value, even if the red colour has been removed. The mint produced nearly 30 million such quarters in 2004 commemorating Canada's 117,000 war dead. Beginning on October 21, 2004, the new poppy coin was made available from Tim Hortons locations across Canada. Tim Hortons is the Mints exclusive distribution partner for the poppy coin. The US Defense Security Service never examined the suspicious coins. Spokeswoman Cindy McGovern said "We know where we made the mistake. The information wasn't properly vetted. While these coins aroused suspicion, there ultimately was nothing there." "That story about Canadians planting coins in the pockets of defense contractors will not go away," Luc Portelance, now deputy director for the Canadian Security Intelligence Service, wrote in a January e-mail to a subordinate. "Could someone tell me more? Where do we stand and what's the story on this?" The Poppy Quarter is Behind Spy Coin Alert. Spy service also were searching for answers. "We would be very interested in any more detail you may have on the validity of the related to the use of Canadian coins in this manner," intelligence official wrote in an e-mail. "If it is accurate, are they talking industrial or state espionage? If the latter, who?"