TORONTO – The Big Mac is turning 50. To mark the 50th anniversary of the iconic sandwich, McDonald’s Canada is introducing the MacCoin. MacCoins made their debut in Canada Aug. 2. Each coin is redeemable for one Big Mac at participating restaurants in 50 countries around the world.
There will be 50,000 coins in Canada. To get the limited-edition coins, customers can enter the #BigMac50 contest on Twitter (@McDonaldsCanada and @McDoCanada) or from local radio stations. Coins will not be distributed at restaurants.
"As one of the most well-known and iconic McDonald's menu items – and business driver – around the globe and in Canada, the Big Mac deserves the celebration that the coin evokes," said Jeff McLean, Chief Financial Officer, McDonald's Canada. "The fact that in 50 years, the Big Mac has become so universally recognized it's used to measure the purchasing power of international currencies is pretty remarkable."
Over 6.2 million MacCoins are being distributed in more than 50 countries. The coins feature five unique designs each represented a decade of the Big Mac’s history. Seven languages – Arabic, English, Indonesian, Mandarin, Portuguese, French and Spanish – are featured on the front side of the coin.
"The Big Mac is a cultural icon and what better way to celebrate its continuing status than to issue a commemorative coin" said Henry Nienhuis, President of the Royal Canadian Numismatic Association. "The many designs of the MacCoin reflect the incredible international network that comprises the McDonald's global system. We all know what the Big Mac is worth to us, but giving it its own limited mintage official celebratory coin, expands that worth giving us a collectible keepsake as well."
The Big Mac sandwich was invented in Uniontown, Pennsylvania, in 1967 by Jim Delligatti, one of McDonald’s founder Ray Kroc's earliest franchisees, and was introduced on the national menu in the United States in 1968. Canada was the first country outside of the US to offer the Big Mac.
"When my great-grandfather Jim Delligatti invented the Big Mac at his grill in Uniontown, Pennsylvania, he just wanted to make his local customers happy," said Nick Delligatti, fourth-generation McDonald’s owner-operator and great-grandson of Jim Delligatti, the inventor of the Big Mac. "Aug. 2 would have been my great-grandfather's 100th birthday, and I believe he would be very proud knowing his humble sandwich has made such a lasting impression that people all around the world can enjoy it wherever they find a McDonald's."
The Big Mac is sold in more than 100 countries.