The large-format five-ounce fine silver $50 coins in this three-coin set will take you on a captivating journey through 100 years of Canadian history. Through the first 100 years of Confederation, the story of Canada was largely shaped by our efforts to bridge long distances and come together by means of different transportation—first by rail, then by sea and finally, by air. GST/HST exempt

This is the story that unfolds across the three coins in the 2021 First 100 Years of Confederation series. Each coin features a different history maker and a design that channels the spirit of the era through its perfect blend of art, history and industry. It is all tied together by the multiple effigies on the obverse, where the arrangement represents a century of rapid change and innovation in Canada. 

The obverse of each coin combines five of the effigies that have appeared on Canadian coins since 1867 (clockwise, from top): the first effigy of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II by Mary Gillick, the effigy of King George VI by T. H. Paget, the effigy of King George V by Sir E. B. Mackennal, the effigy of King Edward VII by G. W. De Saulles, and the effigy of Queen Victoria by L. C. Wyon. 

Coin 1: An Emerging Country (Rail) $50 Fine Silver Coin
Designed by Canadian artist Glen Green, this coin highlights the importance of railways in Canadian history and the role they played in the expansion of Confederation after 1867. Art nouveau design elements surround the depiction of Engine No. 374, the 4-4-0 locomotive that hauled the first passenger train along the transcontinental railway that linked eastern and western Canada. 

Coin 2: Coming of Age (Sea) $50 Fine Silver Coin
Designed by Canadian artist Glen Green, this coin features a symbol of a Canada's new-found standing on the world stage after the First World War (1914–1918). Art deco elements surround the depiction of HMCS Saguenay; built in 1931, the vessel was one of the first warships built for the Royal Canadian Navy before the naval service's rapid expansion during the Second World War (1939–1945).

Coin 3: Canada Takes Wing (Air) $50 Fine Silver Coin 
Designed by Canadian artist Glen Green, the coin's reverse features a symbol of Canada's high stature on the world stage during the post-war years (1945-1967). Canada's famous bush plane, the de Havilland Canada DHC-2 Beaver, is rendered in a pop art style.