Important history, innovation, art and low mintage scarcity combine to make this helmet shaped $25 fine silver coin one of the most significant and collectable issues ever released by the Royal Canadian Mint. This tangible link to the past will transport you onto the front lines of the Great War, where the circa 1916 Mark I model helmet worn by Canadian and other British Empire soldiers often deflected a bullet and saved the life of the soldier who wore it. The coin has a weight of about one and a half ounces of pure silver, and a mintage of just 6,500. HST/GST exempt.
The Design:
The coin itself is both distressed and antiqued with a battle-worn appearance. The “cracks” and “dents” bring to life the difficult conditions and constant peril Canadian soldiers had to endure, while the engraved motto along the brim “LEST WE FORGET” connects the past to the present, reminding us of the sacrifices made to pave the way for the freedoms we enjoy today.
The design is completed with engraved poppies and the double dates “1918” and “2018”, marking the centennial of Armistice. The obverse features the effigy of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II by Susanna Blunt engraved deep in the recessed circular crown, while the legend and face value are engraved on the brim.