The effigies of Queen Elizabeth II: A 5 oz. retrospective of our most minted monarch
Queen Elizabeth II was the longest-reigning monarch in Canada's modern history, and our most minted one. Always facing right, her portraits have been a fixture on the obverse of Canadian coins since 1953, and each one captured a different era of her reign. All four appear on the obverse and reverse of this 5 oz. 99.99% pure silver coin, which presents an elegant retrospective of the Canadian coin effigies of “Elizabeth the Second, by the Grace of God of the United Kingdom, Canada and Her other Realms and Territories Queen, Head of the Commonwealth, Defender of the Faith.”
Portraits of change: The effigies of Queen Elizabeth II
It was the youthful laureate effigy by Mary Gillick that graced our pocket change in the early years of Queen Elizabeth II's reign, in a time when Canada's peacekeeping reputation was first forged.
The second portrait, the tiara effigy by Arnold Machin, is the one that graced our coins when we adopted the maple leaf flag (1965); when we celebrated Canada's centennial (1967); and when we welcomed Olympic athletes to Montreal (1976).
The stately diademed effigy by Dora de Pédery-Hunt—the first by a Canadian artist—reflected a refined sovereign, one who had grown and matured alongside Canada, even as the national map was redrawn to include Nunavut in 1999.
The uncrowned effigy by Susanna Blunt is ultimately the final portrait. It is a more modern representation of a monarch who, in her own words, had been “a witness to this country for more than half its history since Confederation,” and whose commitment to service and to Canada never wavered.
A historical record of a monumental reign, these engraved portraits span decades of changes—for Canada and for Queen Elizabeth II. Long did she reign.
Four historic effigies on both sides of this 5 oz. tribute.
Special features
5 oz. silver. Crafted in 5 oz. of 99.99% pure silver with a magnificent proof finish, this tribute coin is one of two 5 oz. coins—the largest (65.25 mm) pieces—in the Queen Elizabeth II's Reign collection.
A royal retrospective. The legacy of Queen Elizabeth II endures on Canada's coins, which have featured various effigies throughout her reign. All four effigies are featured on this coin's obverse and reverse—both sides.
A nation remembers. Every numismatic coin in the Queen Elizabeth II's Reign collection comes packaged with a special graphic beauty box.
Low mintage. Only 2,250 coins are available to collectors worldwide.
SPECIFICATIONS
Product Number 207410
Mintage 2,250
Composition 99.99% pure silver
Weight 157.6 g
Diameter 65.25 mm
Edge Serrated
Face Value $50
Finish Proof
Packaging Black clamshell with special graphic beauty box
Artist Anna Bucciarelli (reverse); Susanna Blunt (2003-2022 effigy), Dora de Pédery-Hunt (1990-2002 effigy), Arnold Machin (1965-1989 effigy) and Mary Gillick (1953-1964 effigy) (obverse)