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The End of an Era: The Legacy of Queen Elizabeth II endures on our coins

  • Sep 09, 2022
  • Canadiana
  • 5 minutes read

The Mint joins our fellow Canadians, citizens of the Commonwealth, and others around the world in mourning the loss of Queen Elizabeth II.

Over the course of a reign that has spanned more than seven decades, Queen Elizabeth II has played an integral role in the life of our nation. Canadians have enjoyed a close and enduring relationship with Queen Elizabeth II, exemplified by numerous visits, her ties to our fundamental institutions and remaining current with the progress of Canada as a diverse, modern nation.

This year, we celebrated the Platinum Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II, marking her 70th anniversary on the Throne. She was Canada’s longest reigning monarch. It was another historic milestone in a life full of great achievements. The Royal Canadian Mint marked the occasion by issuing a two-coin set in collaboration with The Royal Mint, as well as a 1-oz pure platinum coin.

Many of her personal and official milestones have been commemorated on our coins, often featuring her likeness on both sides, since her portrait, or effigy, has graced their obverse, or heads side throughout her reign. Always facing right on the obverse, each of her portraits capture different eras of her reign, and there is plenty of history behind each one.

Four different images of Queen Elizabeth II have graced the obverse of all Canadian circulation coins since 1953.

Canadiana
Canadiana

The Mint joins our fellow Canadians, citizens of the Commonwealth, and others around the world in mourning the loss of Queen Elizabeth II.

Over the course of a reign that has spanned more than seven decades, Queen Elizabeth II has played an integral role in the life of our nation. Canadians have enjoyed a close and enduring relationship with Queen Elizabeth II, exemplified by numerous visits, her ties to our fundamental institutions and remaining current with the progress of Canada as a diverse, modern nation.

This year, we celebrated the Platinum Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II, marking her 70th anniversary on the Throne. She was Canada’s longest reigning monarch. It was another historic milestone in a life full of great achievements. The Royal Canadian Mint marked the occasion by issuing a two-coin set in collaboration with The Royal Mint, as well as a 1-oz pure platinum coin.

Many of her personal and official milestones have been commemorated on our coins, often featuring her likeness on both sides, since her portrait, or effigy, has graced their obverse, or heads side throughout her reign. Always facing right on the obverse, each of her portraits capture different eras of her reign, and there is plenty of history behind each one.

Four different images of Queen Elizabeth II have graced the obverse of all Canadian circulation coins since 1953.

The laureate effigy by Mary Gillick The laureate effigy by Mary Gillick
The tiara effigy by Arnold Machin The tiara effigy by Arnold Machin
The diademed effigy by Dora de Pédery-Hunt The diademed effigy by Dora de Pédery-Hunt
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