By George Manz
Collectors will have an opportunity to explore the numismatic legacy of one of Canada’s most popular governors general during the Regina Coin Club Fall Show, taking place Oct. 17-18 at the Italian Club in Regina.
A special display will feature banknotes, medals and coins connected to Albert Henry George Grey, the 4th Earl Grey, who served as Canada’s ninth governor general from 1904-11. Among the items will be the 1911 $1 banknote depicting Earl Grey and his wife, Lady Grey; medals he awarded to Canadian students; and commemorative silver dollars marking events with connections to his time in Canada.
Albert Henry George Grey was born in Great Britain in 1851 into a wealthy and prestigious family. His grandfather served as prime minister of Britain in the 1830s and is the Earl Grey after whom the famous tea is named.
Earl Grey became Canada’s ninth governor general in 1904, replacing his brother-in-law, the Earl of Minto, who was married to Grey’s sister, Mary. Grey proved popular in Canada and served until 1911.
His years in office coincided with some important developments in Canadian history. Alberta and Saskatchewan became provinces in 1905, and Grey appealed to Prime Minister Wilfrid Laurier for Canada to establish its own navy. The Naval Service of Canada was created in 1910.
Perhaps his most familiar legacy, however, is associated with Canadian football.
In 1909, Grey donated a silver trophy for the Senior Amateur Football Championship of Canada. The first Grey Cup championship was played that autumn, with the University of Toronto defeating the Parkdale Canoe Club.
Grey wanted to leave a legacy to amateur sport in Canada. His trophy has endured for more than a century and is now awarded to the champion of the professional Canadian Football League. The Saskatchewan Roughriders won the Grey Cup last year.
NUMISMATIC LEGACY
OF EARL GREY
What does all of this have to do with numismatics?
In 1911, the Canadian government decided it needed a new $1 note. The design chosen featured portraits of Earl Grey and Lady Grey on the face, with the Parliament Buildings depicted on the back.
While serving as governor general, Grey, like many of his predecessors, also awarded bronze, silver and gold medals to students across Canada who achieved the highest marks in high schools, colleges and universities. During his term, Grey awarded 29 medals in gold, 327 in silver and 277 in bronze. Today, these medals are highly sought after by collectors.
Grey also played a role in an important event in the history of Canadian coinage. When the Ottawa branch of Britain’s Royal Mint officially opened on Jan. 2, 1908, Grey struck the first Canadian 50-cent coin produced at the new facility, while Lady Grey struck the first one-cent coin.
COINS RECALL EVENTS
OF GREY’S ERA
Another numismatic item in the Regina display will be the Royal Canadian Mint’s 2012 silver dollar commemorating the 100th Grey Cup.
Other silver dollars in the display commemorate events with connections to Grey’s years as governor general, including the first powered flight in Canada and the 100th anniversaries of the Royal Canadian Navy and Canada’s national parks.
These items, along with many other numismatic pieces, will be on display at the Regina Coin Club Fall Show, taking place Oct. 17-18, 2026 at the Italian Club in Regina.
George Manz is president of the Regina Coin Club and a Fellow of the Royal Canadian Numismatic Association.