Celebrate Canada’s history and heritage with this outstanding work of medallic art struck in five ounces of fine silver. “The Legacy of the Mountie” transports us back in time to the turn of the 20th century, where Canada’s Mounted Police earned the trust and respect of settlers and became an iconic part of the fabric of our country. Based on the painting “Mountie with Cattle Ranchers” by Canadian artist John Innes (1863-1941) painted around 1915, the front design features a dynamic image of an officer approaching a Western cattle ranch set against a stunning backdrop of the Rocky Mountains.
The back design features the heading of an original 1873 newspaper advertisement by the government of the Dominion of Canada seeking recruits for the new police force, which is superimposed over a micro-engraved text background of the Act of Parliament that first established the North-West Mounted Police. In May of 1873, the first 150 recruits were sent West to Manitoba, where they would begin a long legacy. In 1904, King Edward VII conferred the title of “Royal”, making the force the Royal North-West Mounted Police. In 1920, the Dominion Police Force and RNWMP merged, creating the modern RCMP.
Today the RCMP encompasses over 30,000 personnel including about 19,000 officers or “regular members”. In addition to responding to 911 calls and basic law enforcement in many jurisdictions, the RCMP has a mandate to deal with major crime investigations, terrorism, illicit drugs, economic crimes and offences that threaten the integrity of Canada’s national borders.
“Legacy of the Mountie” is issued as part of an ongoing Canadian Heritage Medal series presenting important historic scenes from Canada’s development and evolution. Like the popular “Fathers of Confederation” medal issued in 2019, this new issue is crafted in five ounces of fine silver using exceptional ultra-fine detail and micro-engraving elements. The medal comes presented in a high quality mahogany finish display case with certificate of authenticity. The antique finish medal has a mintage limited to just 750 pieces. HST/GST exempt.