While Canada’s first puzzle coin issued in 2017 celebrated Canada 150, this new 2018 puzzle coin set consists of 14 individual coins that piece together to tell the story of a nation’s character and growth between 1866 and 1916. The coins beautifully connect Canadian history and highlight iconic elements of the first half century of the Dominion of Canada – the era that laid the foundation for the Canada that we now call home. With the same ultra-low mintage of just 800 as the 2017 issue, demand is expected to far exceed supply for this newest puzzle set.
Each jigsaw piece shaped coin in the outer ring has an individual $20 face value and a silver weight of just over one ounce, while the round center piece has a silver weight of three ounces and a $50 face value. The total weight of the set is just over 16 ounces of pure silver, with a $310 total face value. As a pure silver coin set issued by the Royal Canadian Mint, this item is HST/GST exempt.
The Design:
The selectively gold-plated image on the $50 center piece features the original Centre Block of Parliament which was completed (for the Province of Canada) in 1866 and served as the political heart of the young Dominion of Canada until it was destroyed by fire in 1916. The outer ring is comprised of 13 linked puzzle-shaped pieces that feature sepia-toned reproductions of original photographs from Library and Archives Canada, all dating from the same seminal half century of our nation. The images on these $20 coins go beyond the dates and events found in history text books: they speak of progress and enduring traditions of an evolving nation beginning to forge its identity.
The obverse of the $50 center coin is the first ever to appear with a triple effigy, featuring all three monarchs who appeared on Canadian coins during the era of the original parliament buildings. These include Queen Victoria, King Edward VII and King George V. Each of the 13 outer coins features the effigy of Queen Elizabeth II by Susanna Blunt.
Sir John A. Macdonald – Canada’s first prime minister and the Statesman of a New Nation;
Northwest Mounted Police established in 1873
Sowing for Tomorrow - Canada’s tradition of agriculture
Klondike Gold Rush of 1896
Forests and Loggers that contributed to Building Canada
The Iron Horse Across Canada - Canadian Pacific Railway Locomotive No. 374
Sir Wilfrid Laurier, a prime minister known for The Art of Compromise
Winter on the Rideau Canal - Canada’s 8th governor-general and his wife, Lord and Lady Minto, skating
Royal Mail horse-drawn cart
Fishery tradition on Canada’s coasts
Arriving in Canada featuring one of the many a steam-powered ships that brought new immigrants to Canada
Totem Poles of Alert Bay, B.C., a cultural representation of First Peoples
Westward Bound featuring the westward journey of many settlers
