This 2023 $10 fine gold coin is the first $10 gold issued by the Royal Canadian Mint to mark the new reign of King Charles III. The coin has a weight of 1/20th ounce fine gold and a limited mintage of 6,500 pieces. GST/HST exempt.
The Design:
The simple but elegant design features His Majesty’s Royal Cypher encircled by beads together with the denomination and CANADA. As an historical anomaly, the obverse of this first King Charles III issue still features a posthumous effigy of late Queen Elizabeth, as the Royal Canadian Mint works towards completing a new effigy for the King.
The Royal Cypher:
A royal cypher is a monarch’s identifier, much like a coat of arms. Cyphers have been used by British royals since the time of Henry VIII. They generally feature the monarch’s initial and titles, often beneath a symbol of rule, such as a crown. Unlike monograms that interweave letters, royal cyphers display each letter distinctly. The cipher for the new King was selected by His Majesty from a series of designs prepared by the College of Arms, consists of the initials 'C' and 'R' - representing Charles's name and "Rex," the Latin for king - alongside a depiction of the crown.