2016-07-28 Thu

The 150th anniversary of Canada’s confederation will be celebrated next year in July. The Royal Canadian Mint released the first commemorative coin to mark this celebration. Several other coins are planned to be released. On 1st September, 1864, the Canadian confederation began with the British Colonial Office conference in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island. The purpose was to consider a union of confederation between the Canadian territories which were split earlier.

After a few weeks, delegates met in Quebec City, where the Seventy-Two Resolutions were agreed to. On 29th March, 1867, the bill was passed and the newly created Dominion of Canada emerged on 1st July. Sir John Alexander MacDonald was chosen as the first prime minister of Canada. The first coins of Canada in denominations 5, 10, 25, and 50 cents were issued in 1870. 1-cent coin was issued in 1876.

The large Canadian penny was identical to the British half-penny and the Canadian 25-cent coin was similar to one British shilling. Due to an influx of American silver there was a correlation with the value of the American dollar as well.

The silver coins had a common design with a portrait of Queen Victoria on the obverse, and the value, date, and a crowned maple wreath on the reverse. The one-cent coin depicted a maple vine circlet.

The commemorative .999 31.6 grams gold coin is inspired from the coins that were issued in 1870. Two crossed maple boughs are bound together on the reverse with a bow. 21 maple leaves creates the Royal Crown. Other inscriptions include 200 DOLLARS, CANADA, 1867-2017 in a font that was used on the earliest coins. The obverse features the portrait of Queen Elizabeth II designed by Susanna Blunt. The mintage is limited to 250 pieces.

The 2017-dated $200 gold coin is offered one year before the national celebrations begin.