Description
The quintessential Canadian collector coin has been renewed with unique highly detailed elements on this large and impressive 2021 one kilogram (32.15 ounce) fine silver dollar coin. Honouring yesterday’s artistry and today’s engraving techniques, this coin pays tribute to both the Voyageur Dollar and its artist, Emanuel Hahn. Instead of re-creating the design as it was issued on historic dollar coins (1935-1986), the Royal Canadian Mint has worked from the artist’s original concept drawings to bring his artistic vision to life with all its nuanced details and on a much larger fine silver canvas than he could have ever imagined. The main design and effigy are also enhanced with a layer of 24 karat gold. Mintage is extremely limited to 400. HST/GST exempt.
The Design:
The design is closely based on an original pencil sketch that is now part of the National Currency Collection of the Bank of Canada Museum. Like on the business strike coins introduced in 1935, the coin shows a Voyageur and an Indigenous guide as they paddle a fur-laden canoe past wind-swept pines that rise up from a small island. However, in this unique version of the coin, the artist’s original vision comes fully to life featuring a more intricate aurora borealis and fully detailed waves on the water.
The obverse pays tribute to the 85th anniversary of the last issue year (1936) of Sir E.B. MacKennal’s portrait of King George V; this effigy appeared on Canadian coins from 1911 to 1936, with the 1935 silver dollar being the only exception. The portrait is surrounded with the Latin legend, “GEORGVS V REX IMPERATOR ANNO REGNI XXV” (George V, King and Emperor, 25th Year of Reign), honouring the first Voyageur Dollar issued in 1935 to commemorate the Silver Jubilee of King George V.
