2019-01-31 Thu

According to an official announcement by the Royal Canadian Mint, Pvt. George Herman Baker’s image is featured on the Proof silver dollar that was issued to mark the 75th anniversary of D-Day. Officials of RCM, historians and officers of the North Shore Regiment worked together to identify the soldier featured on the coin. Archival film footage from Juno Beach Centre in Normandy France was used to create the coin design.

Born on 31st August 1923 in Nova Scotia, Baker was only 20 years old when he a part of this historic event. He belonged to No. 3 Platoon, A Company, of the North Shore Regiment. He landed with other army men at Juno Beach in France, on 6th June 1944. This event is also depicted on the coin. After World War II, Pvt. Baker came back to Liverpool to live peacefully with his family. He died in South Brookfield, Nova Scotia on 23rd July 2003. His daughter, Karen McLeod received one of the coins as a tribute to her late father. The RCM officials acknowledged the brave efforts of Private Baker and other Canadian soldiers who helped the Allied forces win World War II.

Even though the D-Day mission was successful, 33 fearless soldiers lost their lives in the line of duty. North Shore Regiment played a major role in carrying out this military operation. It was assisted by three other assaulting units.

An artist named Tony Bianco from Simcoe created the reverse design. It features Canadian soldiers on their mission and letter ‘V’ for victory in Morse Code. The 23.17 grams .9999 fine silver dollar has a diameter of 36.07 millimetres and a mintage limit of 20,000 pieces. It can be purchased for $59.95 Canadian from RCM’s official website.

Image Courtesy: The Royal Canadian Mint