Commemorative toonie with McCrae’s likeness to mark war poem’s centenary

The man who penned one of the most memorable poems in Canadian history is getting not one, but two commemorative coins.

The federal cabinet has approved the creation of commemorative toonies and two 25-cent coins depicting Lt.-Col. John McCrae writing “In Flanders Fields’’ to mark the poem’s 100th anniversary.

“It is one of the First World War’s most recognized poems and an integral part of Canadian culture,’’ the Royal Canadian Mint explains in a notice published in the Canada Gazette.

The coins will feature an image of McCrae writing his poem on the battlefield after the second battle of Ypres in early May 1915, surrounded by the symbols featured in the poem _ birds, crosses and poppies.

The word “Remember’’ will also be inscribed around the edge of each coin.