The Vignettes of Royalty series begins with the longest reigning monarch - the woman who was the inspiration behind the Victorian Era of rapid industrialization and imperialism. Queen Victoria (reigned 1837-1901), who came to the throne at the age of 18, was the reigning monarch at the time of Confederation in 1867. Although coins with Queen Victoria's effigy were issued for the Province of Canada in 1858 and 1859, this crowned portrait appeared on Canadian coins from1870 to 1901.

This series of coin effigies retraces 170 years from Queen Victoria to Queen Elizabeth II. Each design has been approved by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, preserving the tradition that has governed the preparation of all royal effigies for centuries.