On October 21st, 2004 (http://www.cbc.ca/story/canada/national/2004/10/21/quarter.html) the canadian mint released the first painted coin in the world. It is a quarter whose paint is said to last under regular use for 3 years. On one said it has a painted red poppy, a symbol in canada usually associated with November 11th, Remembrance Day.
The symbol of the poppy as a War Memorial symbol originates from this poem:
In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.
We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved, and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders Fields.
Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders Fields.
-- Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae, MD (1872-1918)
Canadian ArmyA history of the poem can be found here: http://www.arlingtoncemetery.net/flanders.htm
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