Behind the Design: Tomb of the Unknown Soldier 2025 Proof Dollar
- May 23, 2025
- Canadiana
- 3 minute read
Marking the 25th anniversary of the completion of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, our 2025 Fine Silver Proof Dollar (also available in a seven-piece Proof Set) honours all Canadians who have served their country—including the many who rest unknown.
Designed by Vancouver-based artist Pandora Young, the coin is a circular interpretation of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at the National War Memorial in Ottawa. From the four base corner pieces to the sword-and-helmet overlay, the coin’s reverse re-creates all the Tomb’s key design elements, while the flowers placed upon it convey Canadians’ deep reverence and respect for this symbol of all sacrifice.
“I’ve always had a particular interest, or maybe reverence, for artworks created as memorials,” says Young. “To an artist, they represent a task that must be executed flawlessly, as the stakes are so high—creating a locus for all our most sacred and tender feelings, where the lessons and losses must be in balance, and where beauty offers tangible healing to a community.”
Keep reading to discover all the design details featured on this Remembrance-themed annual collectable.
Marking the 25th anniversary of the completion of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, our 2025 Fine Silver Proof Dollar (also available in a seven-piece Proof Set) honours all Canadians who have served their country—including the many who rest unknown.
Designed by Vancouver-based artist Pandora Young, the coin is a circular interpretation of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at the National War Memorial in Ottawa. From the four base corner pieces to the sword-and-helmet overlay, the coin’s reverse re-creates all the Tomb’s key design elements, while the flowers placed upon it convey Canadians’ deep reverence and respect for this symbol of all sacrifice.
“I’ve always had a particular interest, or maybe reverence, for artworks created as memorials,” says Young. “To an artist, they represent a task that must be executed flawlessly, as the stakes are so high—creating a locus for all our most sacred and tender feelings, where the lessons and losses must be in balance, and where beauty offers tangible healing to a community.”
Keep reading to discover all the design details featured on this Remembrance-themed annual collectable.
The seven-piece Fine Silver Proof Set – Tomb of the Unknown Soldier (2000-2025) contains a selectively gold-plated version of the 2025 Fine Silver Proof Dollar.
Corner pieces
The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier has four base corner pieces that symbolize mourning. These corner pieces are recreated on the coin: three Memorial Crosses and one replica of a poppy.
The Memorial Cross is a memento of personal loss and sacrifice, and is given to the loved ones of military personnel who pass away while serving Canada. Each Memorial Cross featured on the coin bears the Royal Cypher of a different ruling monarch (George V, George VI, Elizabeth II) since its inception in 1919. Although we have been manufacturing Memorial Crosses at our Ottawa location since 2008, this is the first time they have been recreated on a coin.
The replica of a poppy, as seen at the bottom of the coin design, represents all those who may fall in the future while serving Canada.
Overlay
The Tomb’s bronze overlay is also recreated on the coin: branches of maple and laurel leaves (which symbolize victory and death) wrapped around a medieval sword and First World War-era helmet. All these elements originate from the design of the Canadian National Vimy Memorial, which in turn inspired the design of the Tomb in Ottawa. On the coin, these elements are surrounded by roses and poppies (seen in the 11 o’clock position) that have been laid in commemoration of those who selflessly gave their all while serving their country.
Sarcophagus
The three rings featured in the coin design allude to the Tomb’s sarcophagus (a three-tiered structure cast in dark Caledonia granite), forming a more circular interpretation to help frame the top-down view. The sarcophagus has served as a focal point of commemoration since the Tomb’s completion in 2000.
Join us in paying respect to Canada’s Unknown Soldier.
Honour the courage and sacrifice of those who fight for the freedoms of all Canadians with our 2025 Tomb of the Unknown Soldier 25th Anniversary collectable coins.
The Poppy Design is a registered trademark of The Royal Canadian Legion (Dominion Command) and is used under licence.