Royal Canadian Mint Issues Five Ounce $500 Gold Coin

The Royal Canadian Mint have issued (6^th October) an extraordinary tribute to Canada’s first gold coins with the mintage of a five ounce gold coin with a face value of 500 Dollars, the first time for this denomination.

Struck at Canada’s Mint in 1912, (originally the facilities in Ottawa were an extension of the UK’s Royal Mint) these coins of 90% fine gold were reflective of the distinct Canadian currency and denominated as 5 and 10 dollars respectively. The two coins were minted only until 1914.

This commemorative issue is a replica of the original designs with Sir Bertram Mackennal’s effigy of King George V on the obverse and the original coat of arms of Canada on the reverse with a collection of maple leaves behind the shield. Above the shield is the text “CANADA” and below is the commemorative years “1912 – 2012” and the coin’s denomination of 500 Dollars in two lines.

Struck in proof quality and in pure gold, the coin weighs an impressive 156.05 grams with a diameter of 60 mm. The mintage is limited to 200 examples with shipment beginning on the 11^th October.

For ordering information, please visit the website of the Royal Canadian Mint at: http://www.mint.ca/store/coin/500-pure-gold-coin-100th-anniversary-of-the-first-canadian-gold-coins-2012-prod1160002