The third and final coin in this historic Canada series takes to the skies for one last look at The First 100 Years of Confederation.  Its pop art elements speak to Canada’s post-war (1945-1967) prosperity and its active role on the world stage, and to a nationwide sense of optimism during Canada’s centennial year. It fuses art, history and industry. The coin weighs just over five ounces of pure silver, and has a mintage limited to just 1,250. HST/GST exempt.

Between 1945 and 1967, aviation technology sent us soaring to new heights and also brought us closer than ever before. At the end of the Second World War, our nation’s character had been established and our place on the international stage secured; but in the midst of Cold War tensions, our new-found sense of self emboldened us to champion peace and cooperation. It was a signal to the world that Canada had arrived. 

The Design:

Designed by Canadian artist Glen Green, the main image features Canada’s famous bush plane, the de Havilland Canada DHC-2 Beaver.  The obverse combines five of the effigies that have appeared on Canadian coins since 1867 (clockwise, from top): the first effigy of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II by Mary Gillick, the effigy of King George VI by T. H. Paget, the effigy of King George V by Sir E. B. Mackennal, the effigy of King Edward VII by G. W. De Saulles, and the effigy of Queen Victoria by L. C. Wyon.

Did you know?

Pilots have referred to the de Haviland DHC-2 Beaver as the world’s best bush plane. First flown in 1947, the iconic DHC-2 was designed to suit the needs of bush pilots and is hailed as the airplane that opened the North. It was also named one of the great Canadian engineering feats of the 20th century! The powerful DCH-2 Beaver was built for heavy lifting on short runways and can land on lakes, rivers, ice fields and snow. It has been used for year-round emergency medical evacuation, as well as freight and passenger service to many northern communities and isolated cabins. The U.S. military ordered hundreds of DHC-2 Beavers during the Korean War. And by the time production ceased in 1967, 1,600 of these legendary Canadian aircrafts had been delivered to pilots in Canada and around the world.