Description
Fascinating history and beautiful art combine to bring to life the story of the great Shawnee Chief Tecumseh on this 2018 $25 pure silver coin enhanced with selective gold plating. The coin has been struck as a “piedfort” on an extra thick 34 mm one ounce planchet, providing exceptional detail on this proof finish selectively gold plated coin. Mintage is limited to just 6,000. HST/GST exempt.
Tecumseh fought heroically during Tecumseh's War and in the War of 1812. He is most well-known for his early role in the War, when he joined the British commander of Upper Canada, Major-General Sir Isaac Brock in the battle to capture Detroit. Over the course of the War of 1812, he led over 2,000 warriors and fought at the sieges of Fort Meigs and Fort Stephenson. As he was a dynamic leader and warrior, his name meant both "shooting star" and "crouching panther".
The Design:
The reverse design by artist Mary McPherson presents a detail-rich portrait of Tecumseh, shown in three-quarter view. His gaze trained ahead, the visionary war leader is dressed in traditional clothing and wears the King George III medal around his neck. He is flanked by an American eagle on one side and a British lion on the other; this deliberate positioning reflects Tecumseh’s role in the War of 1812 as a key military ally of Upper Canada, which is further emphasized by the maple leaves above him. Between the leaves is an artistic representation of a shooting star on a rising path, for which Tecumseh was named. Trees and clouds fill the field and hint at an indigenous worldview that he is part of a universal process, and had fought on behalf of all who shared the land and sky. Two scroll banners bear the engraved words “CANADA” and “25 DOLLAR”, while the year “2018” is inscribed below. The obverse features Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.
