The End of an Era: The Legacy of Queen Elizabeth II endures on our coins
- Sep 06, 2023
- Canadiana
- 5 minute read
On September 8, 2022, the Mint joined 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 played an integral role in the life of our nation. Canadians 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 revisited seven decades of history through a collection of commemorative coins, designed to honour the extraordinary life and reign of Queen Elizabeth II. Every numismatic coin in the Queen Elizabeth II’s Reign collection comes in special commemorative packaging and features a special obverse design. The tribute obverse, displaying a double-date and the effigies of Queen Elizabeth II that have appeared on Canadian coins, is exclusive to this collection.
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.
On September 8, 2022, the Mint joined 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 played an integral role in the life of our nation. Canadians 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 revisited seven decades of history through a collection of commemorative coins, designed to honour the extraordinary life and reign of Queen Elizabeth II. Every numismatic coin in the Queen Elizabeth II’s Reign collection comes in special commemorative packaging and features a special obverse design. The tribute obverse, displaying a double-date and the effigies of Queen Elizabeth II that have appeared on Canadian coins, is exclusive to this collection.
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.
1953‑1964: The “laureate” effigy by Mary Gillick
Our first effigy of Queen Elizabeth II was selected by the Royal Mint Advisory Committee and designed by British sculptor Mary Gillick. It was used in the United Kingdom and across the Commonwealth.
Youthful and uncrowned, this effigy remains popular with collectors. It is an elegantly simple design that captures the optimism of the time – the Second World War was over, and the newly crowned 27-year-old monarch brought youth and the promise of modernisation to a centuries-old institution.
The effigy was used until 1964, with the inscription ELIZABETH II DEI GRATIA REGINA, meaning "Elizabeth II, by the grace of God, the Queen."
1965-1989 – The “tiara” effigy by Arnold Machin
In 1964, the Royal Mint commissioned British sculptor Arnold Machin to design a contemporary royal portrait for its first decimal coins.
His effigy is a regal head-and-shoulder bust that shows Queen Elizabeth II wearing the Girls of Great Britain and Ireland Tiara – a wedding gift from her grandmother, Queen Mary.
In 1965, Canada became the first of the Commonwealth nations to adopt this effigy. It was accompanied by the inscription, ELIZABETH II D G REGINA, a shortened form of the original.
1990-2002 – The “diademed” effigy by Dora de Pédery-Hunt
The third likeness represents a break from tradition: it was the first effigy of a reigning monarch designed by a Canadian. Canadian-Hungarian artist Dora de Pédery-Hunt was commissioned to create an updated portrait exclusively for our coins.
This third effigy was unveiled when Queen Elizabeth II was 64 years old. It shows her wearing a string of pearls and an imposing, sparkling headpiece known as the Diamond Diadem, also as the George IV State Diadem.
2003-present – The “uncrowned” effigy by Susanna Blunt
A more mature and informal portrait of Queen Elizabeth II has graced our coins since 2003. In 2002, several artists were invited to take part in a design competition for a new effigy. The winning submission came from Vancouver-based artist Susanna Blunt, whose portrait was introduced the following year to mark her Golden Jubilee.
Simplicity makes this one stand out from the rest. Like her father, King George VI, Queen Elizabeth II chose to be portrayed without a crown, instead wearing a simple string of pearls and pearl stud earrings.
The effigy exudes poise and strength, two qualities that have defined her reign. It’s a more modern representation of Queen Elizabeth II, an extraordinary person who dedicated her life to duty and to the service of the Commonwealth.
Click here to learn more about how we’re commemorating Queen Elizabeth II and her 70-year reign.
Source
Haxby, James A. Striking Impressions. The Royal Canadian Mint and Canadian Coinage, 1984.
