This quarter ounce $100 pure gold coin pays tribute to the life and contributions of Kathleen “Kit” Blake Coleman (1856-1915), an important and influential Canadian journalist active from 1889 to 1911.  In a time when women journalists were usually limited to writing about the female perspective and women’s issues, Kit Coleman paved the way for better representation in newsrooms and a more equal standing for Canadian women in other aspects of life. Mintage is limited to 1,500. HST/GST exempt.

The Design:

The main design features a portrait of Kit Coleman penning her weekly column. The map in the background traces the trailblazing reporter’s incredible journey—from her birthplace in Ireland to her life and career in Canada, and her travels as North America’s first accredited woman war correspondent. 

Queen Elizabeth II Memorial Obverse

As new King Charles III dies were not yet ready for this coin, the obverse features a posthumous effigy of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II with the addition of the double dates of her reign, 1952-2022. The four dots or pearls between the dates are intended to represent the four different effigies of the Queen that have appeared on Canadian coinage.

Kathleen “Kit” Blake Coleman (1856-1915):

Coleman was one of Canada’s most successful early press women. A pioneer of Canadian journalism, she made history by becoming North America’s first accredited woman war correspondent. She also helped establish the Canadian Women’s Press Club in 1904 and served as its first president, and later became Canada’s first syndicated woman columnist.