Two-hundred years ago, the HMS Shannon celebrated victory on the high seas against the USS Chesapeake.  In highly detailed engraving, this large format 2013 $50 five ounce fine silver coin commemorates the historic War of 1812 battle that still remains a formative event in Canadian history. Mintage is limited to 1,500 coins. HST/GST exempt.

The Design:

Designed by Canadian artist John Horton, the coin depicts the final moments of the famous battle of the HMS Shannon (at right) and the battle-worn USS Chesapeake (at left), its decks ablaze and gun-ports destroyed. The embossed title celebrates the HMS Shannon’s victory by listing its name first.  It also features the dates “1813-2013,” commemorating 200 years since the famous war battle.  The large five ounce coin has a diameter of 65 mm and is double struck with a near flawless proof finish, showcasing all of the details of the intricate design.  As a pure silver coin, this item is GST or HST exempt.  Mintage is limited to just 1,500 coins.

The War of 1812 was a fundamental turning point in Canada’s history: it profoundly influenced Canada’s sense of identity and united French- and English-speaking inhabitants, Indigenous communities, farmers, soldiers, artisans and others in an effort to preserve their ways of life from American invasion.