By Jesse Robitaille
In celebration of what it refers to as “Canada’s exceptional history of peaceful co-existence with the U.S.,” the Royal Canadian Mint launched a two-coin set in partnership with the federal mint south of the border yesterday.
Entitled “Pride of Two Nations” and available in both countries beginning July 3, the set includes numismatic renditions of Canadian and U.S. bullion coins. Canada’s Silver Maple Leaf (SML) bullion coin features a modified Proof finish and reverse design while the U.S. Mint’s American Eagle one-ounce silver coin includes an enhanced reverse Proof finish. It’s the first time these finishes are being used on their respective coins.
“The maple leaf and eagle are proud symbols of our neighbouring nations, which have grown and prospered together for more than 150 years,” said Marie Lemay, Mint president and CEO. “We are proud that these same emblems, found on our famous Silver Maple Leaf and Silver Eagle bullion coins, could be brought together in an inspiring new coin set that celebrates the special bond between Canada and the United States.”
The Canadian Silver Maple Leaf coin rests on a background of radial lines encircled by a pattern of stars and maple leaves on the perimeter.
The reverse of the SML coin features Walter Ott’s classic sugar maple design, which was first created in 1979. This icon of the Mint’s “maple leaf” family of bullion coins, which also includes the Gold Maple Leaf – or GML – rests on a background of radial lines encircled by a pattern of stars and maple leaves on the perimeter. This same pattern surrounds the Susanna Blunt effigy of Queen Elizabeth II on the obverse.
The obverse of the American Eagle coin features Adolph A. Weinman’s full-length figure of Liberty in full stride and enveloped in folds of the star spangled banner. Her right hand is extended while her left holds branches of laurel and oak. The coin’s reverse features a heraldic eagle with shield and clutching an olive branch in the right talon and arrows in the left.
Both coins are packaged in a specially designed clamshell case branded with the logos of both mints. Inside, a certificate is emblazoned with Canadian and U.S. flags.
Limited to a mintage of 10,000 sets, this new issue is being sold for $189.95. The Canadian SML has a denomination of $5, a weight of 31.39 grams and a diameter of 38 millimetres while the U.S. coin has a denomination of $1, a weight of 31.103 grams and a diameter of 40.60 millimetres.
OTHER JOINT ISSUES
The reverse of the U.S. coin features a heraldic eagle with a shield and clutching an olive branch in the right talon and arrows in the left.
The U.S. Mint also recently partnered with the Royal Australian Mint on a jointly issued a commemorative coin set in celebration of the historic Apollo 11 Moon landing on July 20, 1969.
This set, which also has a mintage of 10,000, contains Proof examples of the U.S. 2019-S copper-nickel clad “Apollo 11” dollar (struck at the San Francisco Mint) and Australia’s 2019 $5 “Moon Landing” coin.
Other joint sets are also being planned by the U.S. Mint with Britain’s Royal Mint, the Royal Spanish Mint, Italian State Mint and Vatican City.