Very nice commemorative coin
5
I'm a war history buff and am always looking for coins and notes that are part of significant historical events. I could not pass this coin up, especially for the price.
xxCommiexx
Calgary, AB
100th Anniversary of the Battle of Vimy Ridge Pure Silver Coin (2017)
Mintage:
While Supplies Last
STATUS:
Canada and US only
Canada remembers Vimy. Order your commemorative coin today.
In April 1917, all four divisions of the Canadian Corps were ordered to capture the heavily fortified Vimy Ridge in northern France. This was the first engagement in which Canada's soldiers from coast-to-coast would fight side-by-side as one using innovative tactics. Those forces secured a hard-fought victory that earned them a reputation as a formidable opponent on the western front, while inspiring a nation's sense of pride and unity. This was one of Canada's finest hours during the First World War—but it came at a cost of nearly 11,000 casualties.
Since 1936, an impressive national memorial has marked the site as a tribute to the Canadian soldiers who fought for the cause of peace and freedom during the First World War. The Royal Canadian Mint proudly commemorates the Canadians who served at Vimy Ridge—and throughout the First World War—with a powerful pure silver coin that showcases a poignant symbol of a nation's sacrifice, even in triumph.
Commemorate Canada's historic 1917 battle with this pure silver coin. Order today.
Special features:
- COMMEMORATES THE 100TH ANNIVERSARY OF CANADA'S HISTORIC BATTLE. Your coin commemorates the 100th anniversary of one of the most important battles for Canadian forces during the First World War (1914-1918).
- A PIVOTAL MOMENT IN CANADA'S 150-YEAR HISTORY. If Confederation represents the political birth of our nation, then the Battle of Vimy Ridge (April 9-12, 1917) marks the beginning of its rise to independent greatness — born of valour and sacrifice on the battlefield, where the Canadian National Vimy Memorial now stands.
- CAREFUL APPLICATION OF SHINY AND MATTE POLISHES. The lined specimen background on your coin provides a solemn backdrop that highlights the engraved design, whose detailed features are beautifully enhanced by the careful application of shiny and matte polishes.
- PACKAGED IN A FOLDOUT DISPLAY CARD. Your coin is packaged in a foldout display card that provides all the information you need at your fingertips—coin specifications, certificate of authenticity, and more.
- PURE SILVER! Your coin is crafted from 99.99% pure silver.
- GST/HST EXEMPT! Your coin is GST/HST exempt.
Design:
by Canadian artist Laurie McGaw, your coin features a frontal view of the iconic sculpture "Canada Bereft," which is prominently featured at the Canadian National Vimy Memorial in Vimy, France. An allegorical figure, she is Mother Canada—the powerful personification of a nation mourning her fallen sons. Mother Canada rests her chin on her hand and bears a sorrowful expression that is beautifully re-created with finely detailed engraving. On the reverse, the engraved figure is front and centre as the main focus of the design; on the memorial, the limestone carving stands on the northeast edge of the monument platform, where she looks down at a ground-level tomb. The Vimy Memorial is recreated behind and to the left of the grieving sculpture; set against the lined specimen background, the Vimy Memorial is depicted further in the distance to provide a full sense of the stately grandeur of this Canadian site of remembrance overseas. To the right of Mother Canada are the large letters "VIMY". The obverse features the effigy of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II by Susanna Blunt.
Did you know…
- German forces seized the seven-kilometre ridge and surrounding territory in 1914. The French had tried to recapture it in May 1915 and again in September 1915, at a cost of up to 150,000 casualties—a higher number than the 100,000 Canadians who took part in the Battle of Vimy Ridge in 1917.
- The Vimy Memorial was unveiled by King Edward VIII on July 26, 1936, in a ceremony attended by more than 100,000 people, including many veterans and dignitaries.
- Visitors to the memorial in Vimy, France, can still view a portion of the Grange Tunnel, which was part of a network of underground passageways that were dug at least 10 metres beneath the ground.
- For their individual acts of valour at Vimy, four Canadians were awarded the Victoria Cross: Private William Milne, Lance-Sergeant Ellis Sifton, Captain Thain MacDowell and Private John Pattison.
- The commander of the Canadian Corps, Lieutenant-General Julian Byng, was beloved by Canadian troops, who called themselves the Byng Boys. Raised to the peerage after the war, he was titled 1st Viscount of Vimy and was appointed Governor General of Canada from 1921 to 1926.
The Battle
Intense preparations marked the weeks leading up to the offensive. Canada's troops used models and maps to rehearse and recreate the conditions they'd face during the attack. Tunnels were dug to the front lines and beneath No Man's Land, some equipped with rail lines, water, electricity and large storage bunkers. Each soldier would know his task, since infantrymen were assigned specialized roles such as grenade-throwers, riflemen and machine-gunners.
After an intense bombardment (dubbed the "Week of Suffering" by the German forces defending the ridge), the first wave of 15,000 Canadian soldiers set out at 5:30 a.m. on April 9, 1917. Infantrymen advanced [they weren't side by side, they used a new innovation of attacking in depth and in phases.]behind a creeping barrage of unrelenting artillery fire that was aimed just ahead of them to destroy and supress enemy defences This advance was carefully paced and timed to the minute. Within a half hour, Canadians had captured most of the front line and by noon, a large portion of the ridge was in Allied hands. Continued fighting allowed them to take the highest point, Hill 145, on April 10, and "the Pimple" on April 12. Defeated, the enemy retreated from the position they had occupied since 1914.
The Memorial
The Canadian National Vimy Memorial is located 14 kilometres north of the French city of Arras, on Hill 145, where it towers over the former battlefield. In 1922, the people of Canada were granted perpetual use of the battle-scarred land on Vimy Ridge, and in 1925, construction began on a monument that would honour all of Canada's soldiers who fought in the First World War
Completed in 1936, the Vimy Memorial was designed by Canadian sculptor Walter Allward in a modern classical style. The two 30-metre high pylons tower over the battlefield park, rising up from their stone and concrete base to represent Canada and France. All along the exterior walls are the inscribed names of the 11,285 Canadians who were killed in France during the First World War and have no known grave. This sense of loss is heightened by the prominent sculpture of "Canada Bereft" at the front of the memorial. One of 20 allegorical sculptures, the cloaked figure of Mother Canada bears a mournful expression to represent a nation mourning its lost sons, as she looks down at the ground-level sarcophagus adorned with laurel branches, a sword and a Brodie helmet.
Coupled with the preserved trenches and tunnels, Canada's powerful ode to the combatants of one war would survive another—even as Vimy fell once more behind enemy lines in 1940. Re-dedicated in 2007 after an extensive restoration, the iconic Vimy Memorial remains one of Canada's most important monuments—a timeless symbol of valour, peace, honour and remembrance, but also a stirring reminder of the tragic cost of war.
Order today.
Free standard shipping in Canada only. Shipping and handling charges will apply unless otherwise specified.
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Reviews
Don't like it.The Vimy Memorial should be the center .
2
Do not like the design.
Road Runner
Fernie BC
Great packaging on this coin!
5
I would like to see these sold abroad at Vimeo as well since the coin is so beautiful and the packaging is informative! This is a coin you can send abroad - tells about our significant Canadian heritage
Curtis
Calgary
Somewhat disappointed, kind of small.
2
Too small.
Joseph
Montreal
Very nice
4
Thanks for offering these special coins
N/A
Nova Scotia
Affordable History
4
It's to bad the 20 for 20 series is over this theme would have been a perfect fit. The coin itself is really nice. Displaying 2 key structures you'd see at the memorial in France. It's an affordable coin so pretty much anybody can buy this piece of history for themselves or as a gift.
maximusak5
Man
Quality coin.
5
Very fast delivery, it will make a very nice gift.
Geno
Whitehouse, OH, USA
I have seen an unique mintage right in front of my eyes!!!!!
5
for myself worth this time
no
Scarborough ON Canada
Like the coin.
3
A nice coin; not unique or spectacular.
Judge
Toronto
Beautiful coin
5
An excellent way to remember a special event in Canada's history. May we never forget.
GreyOwl
Quebec City
161068en
4.6
396
97.1
- Is this 1 troy ounce?
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Jim
-
hi Jim, 7.96g translates to approximately 1/4 troy oz.
Josh (Product Team)
- Are these available at Canada Post outlets?
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Kristine
-
Hi Kristine, Some stores may still have some, but most stores sold out their stock very quickly. Please try contacting your local Canada Post store(s) to see if they still have any.
Chad
- Is there a way to find out the soldiers names in the picture?
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Sarah
-
Hi Sarah, Thank you for your question. The imagery of the soldiers was obtained from the Canadian War Museum. Someone there may be able to assist you in identifying the soldiers.
Christa (Product Team)
- What size is the coin compared to other coins, ie. Toonie, quarter, etc?
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jake
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Hi Jake, This 99.99% pure silver Vimy Ridge coin (weight: 7.96 grams, diameter: 27 millimetres) is slightly larger than a Canadian $1 circulation coin (weight: 6.27 grams, diameter: 26.5 millimetres).
Chad
Toonie
Ole ten to two
- Is this Coin encapsules?
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Leo
-
Hi Leo, Thank you for your question. Yes, this coin is in a capsule which is embedded in the presentation folder.
Christa (Product Team)
- Why do you offer a certificate of Authenticity with the coin, and on receipt of it there is no certificate included.....?
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Ray
-
Thank you for your question. We deeply apologize for any confusion, however this product does not come with a Certificate of Authenticity.
Christa (Product Team)
- CAN I ORDER 3 OF THEM
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freddie
-
Hi Freddie, Yes, you can order 3 of these coins.
Chad
No - 1 per household
Bigbob
- Where is this coin minted?
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Jug
-
Thank you for your question. This product was minted at the Royal Canadian Mint.
Christa (Product Team)
Royal Canadian Mintâ¢
Patsy Poodle
- Does the coin come encapsulated in a plastic shell?
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David
-
Hi David, Yes, this coin is in a capsule which is embedded in the presentation folder.
Christa (Product Team)
- Is the coin also encapsulated in a plastic shell or is it exposed to the air?
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alvin
-
Hi Alvin, This coin is in a capsule which is embedded in the presentation folder. The coin is not exposed to air.
Christa (Product Team)
