Canada: Gold and silver Proof coins released in memory of Canadian jazz legend Oscar Peterson

Hover to zoom.

The Royal Canadian Mint has released new commemorative coins in honour of one of the greatest musicians the world has ever seen — Canada’s own Oscar Peterson.

Designed by artist Valentine De Landro, an accomplished comic book artist, illustrator, and designer from Ajax, Ontario, his design features Oscar Peterson at the piano, appropriately with his hands in full motion. From Peterson’s hands emerges a flowing musical scale showing two closing bars of his famous Hymn to Freedom. The text CANADA appears above the depiction of Peterson at the piano, with his name OSCAR PETERSON just underneath, and the denomination of 200 DOLLARS (gold), 20 DOLLARS (silver), or DOLLAR (base metal) along the lower edge completes the design. The colour-enhanced $1 coin features Oscar Peterson’s favourite colour of purple and also includes a latent image of a maple leaf integrated into the design.

The obverse side of all options features the effigy of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II by Susanna Blunt.

Denom.	Metal	Weight	Diameter	Quality	Maximum Mintage
Dollar	Brass plate	6.27 g	26.5 mm	Uncirculated with applied colour	50,000
Dollar	Brass plate	6.27 g	26.5 mm	Uncirculated with applied colour	10,000 (sets)
20 dollars	.9999 Silver	31.3 g	36 mm	Proof	5,000
200 dollars	.9999 Gold	31.36 g	30 mm	Proof	400

The one-dollar coins are available as part of a special wrap roll set, which includes two different versions of the Oscar Peterson coin, one colourised special wrap roll, and one special wrap roll of twenty-five ordinary strike coins. The ordinary special wrap roll is only available as part of this set or with a subscription to the 2022 Special Wrap Roll Commemorative Collection.

The coins are also available as part of a seven-coin set, which includes both versions of the Peterson dollar and standard set of circulation coins from $2 to five cents, housed in a card folder format.

The gold and silver Proof-quality coins are each individually encapsulated and presented in a black RCM-branded custom case accompanied by a numbered certificate of authenticity. For additional information, please visit:

❑