Canada: First $5 silver coin for “2021 in Moments to Hold” series celebrates coat of arms centenary anniversary

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The Royal Canadian Mint has released their first $5 silver coin in their “Moments to Hold” series which focuses on national celebrations and events. Last year’s “Moments to Hold” coins were issued on the occasion of the 40th anniversary of the National Anthem Act, the centenary anniversary of the RCMP, the centenary anniversary of Remembrance Day observation and the 350th anniversary of the Hudson’s Bay Company. For 2021, the first coin in the four-coin quarterly release celebrates the centenary anniversary of Canada’s official crest (or coat of arms), which was granted by King George V in 1921. Canada’s national emblem is commonly referred to as the Arms of Canada. However, it is in fact the Queen’s coat of arms for use in Canada, or more formally referred to as the “Armorial Bearings of Her Majesty The Queen in Right of Canada.” The Canadian coat of arms remains a timeless symbol of sovereignty and tradition, inspiring pride by reminding many Canadians of identity and history. Wherever the emblem appears, from passports to proclamations, coins and banknotes — it emits a measure of greater authority especially when the coat of arms flies outside embassies and consulates abroad. Since 1937, the first coin to feature the Arms of Canada was the circulation type 50-cent pieces with the three variations having been incorporated since.

By royal proclamation, and after having conferred with the College of Arms in London, King George V assigned the coat of arms to the Dominion of Canada on the 21st November 1921. Closely resembling the royal coat of arms of the United Kingdom, it becomes more distinctive with French and Canadian elements replacing or added to those derived from the British version, such as the addition of maple leaves in the base and the reference to the French royal arms in the fourth quarter. Since its first granting in 1921, the official rendition of Canada’s coat of arms has been revised a further three times. The first occurred in 1923 when the arms were slightly modified in style. The second occurred in 1957 when the arms were re-drawn to feature a modified royal crown to resemble St. Edward’s crown and the sprig of maple leaves was changed from green to red on the shield. The last and most recent modification occurred in 1994 when an annulus bearing the motto of the Order of Canada, Desiderantes Meliorem Patriam (“They desire a better country”), was added behind the shield.

The reverse side of the coins is designed by Cathy Bursey-Sabourin — who is herself the Fraser Herald at the Canadian Heraldic Authority. Her illustration is that of the current Canadian coat of arms. Shown on the left and right side of the crest are the commemorative years 1921 and 2021, with small maple leaves just under the years. The text CANADA is placed above the primary design, with the coins’ denomination of 5 DOLLARS placed below.

The obverse side includes the effigy of HM Queen Elizabeth II created by Susanna Blunt and shown on all Canadian circulation and many commemorative coins since 2003.

Denom.	Metal	Weight	Diameter	Quality	Maximum Mintage
Five dollars	.9999 Silver	7.9 g	27 mm	Specimen	100,000

Each coin is presented in a themed blister-pak folder which retains the same style throughout the “Moments to Hold” series that includes colour imagery and informative text pertaining to the subject at hand. The “Moments to Hold” series will be issued quarterly throughout 2021, for additional information, please click here.

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