Inspired to help Quebec's working class citizens, in 1900 Alphonse Desjardins founded Canada’s first cooperative financial institution, also called a Caisse Populaire. Now a historical site, his house in Lévis, Quebec served as the head office. The first deposit ever made was a 10 cent coin. 

With a detailed illustration of Maison Desjardins on its reverse, this sterling silver 10 cent coin commemorates the 100th anniversary of credit unions in North America. Out of a total mintage of 70,000, Caisse Populaire acquired roughly 50,000 pieces directly for internal distribution, leaving only a fraction available to the numismatic market.