New coins mark Queen’s historic reign

Today in the nation’s capital, the Royal Canadian Mint unveiled a series of coins marking Her Majesty’s mammoth milestone.

$20 Fine Silver Coin.

$20 Fine Silver Coin.

Earlier today – around 12:30 p.m. EST – the reign of Queen Elizabeth II exceeded that of her great-great-grandmother, Queen Victoria, making Elizabeth II the longest-reigning sovereign in Canadian history. The new coins were unveiled at Rideau Hall at 2 p.m.

“In addition to featuring four effigies of Her Majesty on the obverse of Canada’s coins since her accession to the throne, the Mint has a long and proud history of commemorating significant Royal Family milestones,” said Sandra Hanington, Mint president and CEO. “These finely crafted coins are exceptional keepsakes for Canadians, royal watchers and collectors around the world to remember this remarkable event.”

$20 FINE SILVER COIN

The reverse of this coloured 99.99 per cent silver coin was designed by Canadian artist Cathy Bursey Sabourin and features two cyphers sitting above a wreath of maple leaves. On the upper left of the coin is the cypher used by Her Majesty and on the upper right is a cypher that was used by Queen Victoria. Each cypher is ensigned with a crown. The motto ribbon, woven into the wreath, is inscribed with the Latin words “VIVAT REGINA”, which means “LONG LIVE THE QUEEN”. With a mintage of 10,000, this coin retails for $99.95.

FINE SILVER MAPLE LEAF FRACTIONAL SET

2016 Fine SML Fraction Set.

2016 Fine SML Fraction Set.

All five coins in this set of 99.99 per cent silver feature a reverse design by Canadian artist Donna Kriekle and showcase Canada’s beloved symbol, the iconic maple leaf. Yellow and pink gold plating on the one-ounce coin add contrast to the silver while “enhancing the precision engraving,” said representatives from the Mint.

The other coins have pink gold plating on both the reverse and the obverse, the latter of which pays tribute to the historic reign by featuring an effigy of Her Majesty wearing the Imperial State Crown, which was worn at her coronation. With a mintage of 7,500, this set retails for $224.95.

ROYAL SILVER COLLECTION

2015 RAM $5 Fine Silver Proof Coin- REV.

2015 Royal Australian Mint $5 Fine Silver Proof Coin- REV.

 

This collector set features three silver coins produced by select Commonwealth mints to mark the historic reign of Her Majesty: Great Britain (£5 silver Proof coin), Australia ($5 Fine silver Proof coin) and Canada ($20 Fine silver coin). A total of 2,015 of these sets are available for $499 plus applicable taxes.

$200 GOLD COIN

2015 $200 Pure Gold Coin- A Historic Reign Rev.

2015 $200 Pure Gold Coin- A Historic Reign Rev.

The reverse design of this 99.99 per cent gold coin was designed by Cathy Bursey Sabourin and features the cyphers superimposed on maple leafs. The cypher of Her Majesty is on the left and the cypher of Queen Victoria is on the right. The design is ensigned by the St. Edwards crown. Retailing for $2,699.95, this coin is limited to a mintage of 300.

PURE GOLD MAPLE LEAF FRACTIONAL SET

2016 Canada 9999Au Fractional_1-4oz fractional set.

2016 Canada 9999 Fractional_1-4 oz fractional set.

All coins in this 99.99 per cent gold set feature a reverse design by Canadian artist Celia Godkin and showcase an engraved rendition of the maple leaf as it’s carried in the air by a soft breeze. Different profile portraits are featured on the obverse of each coin: the one-ounce coin features a portrait of Her Majesty wearing the Imperial State Crown; the quarter-ounce coin features the effigy of 1953, as designed by Mary Gillick; the one-tenth-ounce coin features the 1965 effigy by Arnold Machin; and the one-twentieth-ounce coin features the 1990 effigy as designed by Dora de Pédery-Hunt. With a mintage of 600, this set retails for $3,999.95.

ROYAL GOLD COLLECTION

2015 RAM $100 Gold Proof Coin- REV.

2015 RAM $100 Gold Proof Coin- REV.

Similar to the 2015 Royal Silver Collection, this set features three coins produced by select Commonwealth mints to mark the historic reign of Her Majesty: Great Britain (£5 gold Proof coin), Australia ($100 gold Proof coin) and Canada ($200 gold coin). With a mintage of only 100 sets, this collector item is available for $9,499 plus applicable taxes.

EFFIGIES

Since her accession to the throne, four effigies of Her Majesty have appeared on the obverse of Canada’s coins. The first effigy was drawn by Gillick in 1953. In 1965, Machin created a portrait of Her Majesty wearing a jewel-studded tiara. In 1990, a new royal portrait was commissioned from Pédery-Hunt, the first effigy of a reigning monarch by a Canadian artist. The current effigy was produced in 2003 by Susanna Blunt of Vancouver, B.C.

During a reception that followed the event, the Royal Canadian Mint – as well as the Bank of Canada and Canada Post, which issued a new banknote and stamp, respectively – had displays where attendees could view the many representations of Her Majesty on Crown corporation products.

What’s more, attendees could trade a $20 banknote for one of the new notes featuring the Queen unveiled at the ceremony.

 

 

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