Nothing could be more valiant than risking your life to save another. Since 1972, the Cross of Valour signifies a nation's recognition of an act of outstanding courage. This insignia is beautifully re-created on your coin, where a proof finish heightens the effect of translucent paint over the precision engraving.

Established in 1972, the Cross of Valour was devised as a replacement for the Order of Canada Medal of Courage, which was itself created in 1967 as a uniquely Canadian version of the British bravery awards. Surprisingly, the Medal of Courage was never awarded; within a year of its creation, themedal was deemed to provide insufficient recognition for acts of bravery. A subsequent proposal calledfor the Order of Canada to focus solely on achievement, while three separate Decorations for Bravery were created: the Cross of Valour (C.V.) for "most conspicuous courage in circumstances of extremeperil"; the Star of Courage (S.C.) for "conspicuous courage in circumstances of great peril"; and the Medal of Bravery (M.B.) for "acts of bravery in hazardous circumstances."

The Canadian Decorations Advisory Committee recommends to the Governor General the award of the rare Cross of Valour, which is administered by the Chancellery of Honours, part of the Office of the Secretary to the Governor General. Anyone may nominate an individualwho risked his or her life to save another: the rescuer doesn't have to be Canadian, nor does theincident have to take place in Canada—although it must involve Canadians (or at least, Canadian interests). Nominations are also time-sensitive: they must be submitted within two years of the occurrence, or within two years after a court, tribunal or coroner inquest has concluded.

A tribute to Canada's highest honour for bravery. Order today.

• NEVER BEFORE HAS THIS APPEARED ON A COIN! This marks the first time the rarely awarded Cross of Valour insignia has appeared on a coin.
• FOURTH COIN IN SERIES: The 45th Anniversary of The Cross of Valour is the fourth coin in the Canadian Honours Collection, which honours key anniversaries for some of the highest honours within the Canadian Honours System.
• AN EXQUISITE CELEBRATION OF 45 YEARS OF HISTORY! Your coin is a tribute to each recipient of this rarely awardedCanadian honour!
• LOW MINTAGE: Your coin has a low limited worldwide mintage of 5,500.
• INCLUDES SERIALIZED CERTIFICATE: The Royal Canadian Mint certifies all of its collector coins. Most of theseare serialized certifications, meaning that each certificate is given a unique number, starting at 1.
• 99.99% PURE SILVER! Your coin has no GST/HST.

Your coin features a detailed reproduction of the Cross of Valour, as originally designed by the late Bruce W. Beatty, C.M., S.O.M., C.D. Since its creation in 1972, the gold-edged cross with four equal limbs is synonymous with valour, as inscribed on the reverse of the authentic insignia; on the coin's reverse, the insignia'sdistinctive colour is replicated by the application of red and gold translucent paint over the engraved stylized pattern. At its centre lies the gold version of the motif common to all three Canadian Decorations for Bravery: a maple leaf surrounded by a laurel wreath. Your coin design also includes the engraved commemorative dates "1972" and "2017", as well as the word "CANADA". The obverse features the effigy of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, designed by Susanna Blunt.

• Currently, the Cross of Valour has been awarded to only 20recipients throughout its 45-year history.
• Other nations, including Australia, have based their bravery decorations in part on the Canadian model.
• During ceremonies held at Rideau Hall, in Ottawa or across Canada, the Governor General of Canada personally presents the Decorations for Bravery to each recipient. Their name is engraved on the reverse of the insignia, and is later published in the Canada Gazette. Each recipient of the Cross of Valour is also granted the use of the post-nominal letters "C.V."
• The late Bruce W. Beatty's original design for the Cross of Valour called for the insignia to be worn on the chest, but the Decorations Committee favoured a neck decoration to set it apart fromthe Star of Courage and Medal of Bravery.  Mr. Beatty also conceived the Order of Canada and Order of Military Merit insignia and the Canadian Centennial Medal.
• As with all Canadian honours, there are specific rules on how and when the Cross of Valour should be worn. Only the recipient can wear it—family members are not permitted to wear it, even posthumously (although it is permissible to use it for display purposes).
• In the official order of precedence, the Cross of Valour comes right after the Victoria Cross, before the Order of Merit.

Your coin is encapsulated and presented in a Royal Canadian Mint-branded maroon clamshell with a black beauty box.

Order today.