Montreal pianist and jazz musician Oscar Peterson is being honoured with a commemorative coin, released today.

Peterson, who died in 2007, was one of Canada's most decorated musicians and is remembered as one of the greatest jazz pianists of all time.

The Royal Canadian Mint is issuing the $1 commemorative circulation coin to honour Peterson's "extraordinary talent and enduring musical legacy," it said in a statement.

"The whole city will finally realize that yes, we had the greatest pianist in the world, living here, in this country. And I'm so very, very proud that he was my friend," said Oliver Jones, a collaborator and close friend.

Raised in Montreal's Saint-Henri neighbourhood, Peterson got his start by playing for the predominantly immigrant and Black communities of the city's south side. Though Peterson rose to international acclaim in the span of a few years, he always maintained a connection to local talent and Canadian artistry.

The coin features Peterson playing the piano and musical notes corresponding to his 1962 composition Hymn to Freedom, which became an anthem for the civil rights movement in the 1960s.

There is also silver $20 coin that is available through the mint.

Peterson passed away in 2007 after a career of more than 60 years. He is remembered as a technical genius of jazz, deserving of his place among the greats.

Kelly Peterson, widow of Oscar Peterson, at the unveiling of the new commemorative coin.

To read the complete article, see:
Canada's newest coin pays tribute to Oscar Peterson(https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/montreal/oscar-peterson-commemorative-coin-1.6547499)

The Oscar Peterson commemorative circulation coin was designed by artist Valentine De Landro, an accomplished comic book artist, illustrator, and designer from Ajax, Ontario. His design features Oscar Peterson at the piano, with his hands in full motion, from which emerges a flowing musical scale showing two closing bars of his famous Hymn to Freedom. Mr. Peterson's name completes the design.

The Oscar Peterson circulation coin is limited to a mintage of three million coins, of which two million feature a purple accent, Oscar Peterson's favourite colour. It will reach Canadians through their change as bank branches and businesses replenish their inventories of $1 circulation coins.

The coloured and uncoloured circulation coin can be purchased together as part of a six-piece Collector Keepsake coin set. They are packaged in a richly illustrated collector card that contains one of each currently circulating coin, from five cents to two dollars. Other collector products adding to the celebration of Oscar Peterson's legacy include special wrap rolls of 25 one-dollar circulation coins, in coloured and uncoloured versions, as well as 1 oz. fine silver and pure gold versions of the circulation coin design.

To read the complete Press Release, see:
ROYAL CANADIAN MINT HONOURS LEGENDARY CANADIAN PIANIST AND JAZZ GIANT OSCAR PETERSON ON NEW $1 CIRCULATION COIN(https://www.newswire.ca/news-releases/royal-canadian-mint-honours-legendary-canadian-pianist-and-jazz-giant-oscar-peterson-on-new-1-circulation-coin-800961927.html)