Description
Following the quick Royal Canadian Mint sell out of subscriptions for the full 2020 Real Shapes series and a quick sell out of single coins for the Loon, Caribou, Bluenose and Beaver designs, this fifth coin in the series is expected to be equally popular. Though it was among the first Canadian denominations struck at the new Ottawa branch of the Royal Mint in 1908, a 50-cent piece is a rare sight in everyday commercial transactions today. The Royal Canadian Mint continues to produce the 50-cent piece every year, but does not actively circulate it with other standard coins. The coin is dated 2020 with a 50 cent denomination and weighs 100 grams (over three ounces) of pure silver. Adding to its collectability, the mintage is extremely limited to just 1,200. HST/GST exempt.
This unique coin presents the Thomas Shingles Canadian Coat of Arms design—which has appeared on Canadian 50-cent pieces since 1959.
The Design:
This coin has been specifically designed for consistent weight while also ensuring that the subject remains unaltered from the original in detail and proportions. From the 1994 50-cent coin reverse design, this rendering of the Canadian Coat of Arms includes a wide range of symbolic imagery. A lion holding a Union Jack flag on the left and a unicorn holding a flag bearing three French fleurs-de-lys on the right support a central shield divided into five sections bearing historical emblems of England, France, Scotland, and Ireland, as well as a sprig of three maple leaves. The shield is encircled with a ribbon representing the Order of Canada bearing the motto desiderantes meliorem patriam, which means “desiring a better country.” The shield is surmounted by a royal helmet within a garland of maple leaves, upon which stands a crowned lion holding a maple leaf. St. Edward’s Crown, symbolizing Canada’s constitutional monarchy, rests above the lion, which symbolizes Canada’s sovereignty. The motto a mari usque ad mari (“from sea to sea”) appears in a ribbon below the shield, along with a “compartment” or garland composed of the floral emblems of England, Scotland, France, and Ireland. The image is portrayed within its own silhouette. The obverse features the effigy of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II by Susanna Blunt.
