The sixth coin in the Royal Canadian Mint's annual Renewed Silver Dollar series re-visits another historic design from our past: the 1980 Arctic Territories Centennial silver dollar coin. Selectively gold plated on this 2 oz. version, the renewed silver dollar’s polar bear reverse commemorates the 140th anniversary of the transfer of the Arctic islands from the British Government to the Government of the Dominion of Canada. Effective September 1, 1880, the historic land claim transfer significantly expanded Canada’s territory, and it underscored this country’s identity as a northern nation.

The Design:

The reverse is a reproduction of the 1980 silver dollar design by Canadian artist/engraver D.D. Paterson and features a polar bear in the Canadian Arctic Archipelago. The obverse features the historic effigy of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II by Arnold Machin.