Description
Warrior. Leader. Visionary. Fuelled by a desire to protect his homeland, Tecumseh (1768-1813) is remembered as one of the great military heroes of the War of 1812. On the 250th anniversary of his birth, this 2018 $100 14-karat gold coin is a celebration of the life and legacy of this legendary Shawnee war leader, whose beliefs, triumphs and sacrifice are woven into the complex fabric of this nation’s history. Mintage is limited to 1,500.
The Design:
On the reverse, artist Bonnie Ross has drawn from various visual and written sources to present an ideal portrait of the legendary Shawnee war leader. Presented in three-quarter profile, Tecumseh is depicted in his traditional Shawnee clothing (as described by one of Sir Isaac Brock’s men) with the King George III medal worn around his neck. Behind the carefully sculpted bust, a precision-engraved map fills the field. This illustrated representation of Upper Canada circa 1813 highlights Tecumseh’s key role as a military ally during the War of 1812, but the area above his right shoulder has added significance—it includes the sites of several major conflicts involving Tecumseh, including the Battle of the Thames where he was slain in 1813. The reverse includes the name “Tecumseh” and the commemorative dates “1768 – 2018” in a stylistic 1812 typography, along with the engraved word “CANADA” and the face value “100 DOLLARS”. The obverse features the effigy of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II by Susanna Blunt.
Since there are no official portraits extant of this famous leader, ours is based on extensive research to present the most historically accurate representation possible.
