2017 Canadian $20 Canadian Honours: 45th Anniversary of The Cross of Valour - 1 oz Fine Silver Coin

2017 Canadian $20 Canadian Honours: 45th Anniversary of The Cross of Valour - 1 oz Fine Silver Coin

Face Value: $20
Mintage: 5,500
Composition: 99.99% Silver
Weight (g): 31.39
Diameter (mm): 38
Finish: Proof

Nothing could be more valiant than risking your life to save another. Since 1972, the Cross of Valour signifies a nation's recognition of an act of outstanding courage. This insignia is beautifully re-created on your coin, where a proof finish heightens the effect of translucent paint over the precision engraving.

About The Cross of Valour Medal:
Established in 1972, the Cross of Valour was devised as a replacement for the Order of Canada Medal of Courage, which was itself created in 1967 as a uniquely Canadian version of the British bravery awards. Surprisingly, the Medal of Courage was never awarded; within a year of its creation, the medal was deemed to provide insufficient recognition for acts of bravery. A subsequent proposal called for the Order of Canada to focus solely on achievement, while three separate Decorations for Bravery were created: the Cross of Valour (C.V.) for "most conspicuous courage in circumstances of extreme peril"; the Star of Courage (S.C.) for "conspicuous courage in circumstances of great peril"; and the Medal of Bravery (M.B.) for "acts of bravery in hazardous circumstances."

The Canadian Decorations Advisory Committee recommends to the Governor General the award of the rare Cross of Valour, which is administered by the Chancellery of Honours, part of the Office of the Secretary to the Governor General. Anyone may nominate an individual who risked his or her life to save another: the rescuer doesn't have to be Canadian, nor does the incident have to take place in Canada—although it must involve Canadians (or at least, Canadian interests). Nominations are also time-sensitive: they must be submitted within two years of the occurrence, or within two years after a court, tribunal or coroner inquest has concluded.

A tribute to Canada's highest honour for bravery. Order today.

Special features:
NEVER BEFORE HAS THIS APPEARED ON A COIN! This marks the first time the rarely awarded Cross of Valour insignia has appeared on a coin.
FOURTH COIN IN SERIES: The 45th Anniversary of The Cross of Valour is the fourth coin in the Canadian Honours Collection, which honours key anniversaries for some of the highest honours within the Canadian Honours System.
AN EXQUISITE CELEBRATION OF 45 YEARS OF HISTORY! Your coin is a tribute to each recipient of this rarely awarded Canadian honour!
LOW MINTAGE: Your coin has a low limited worldwide mintage of 5,500.
INCLUDES SERIALIZED CERTIFICATE: The Royal Canadian Mint certifies all of its collector coins. Most of these are serialized certifications, meaning that each certificate is given a unique number, starting at 1.
99.99% PURE SILVER! Your coin is GST/HST exempt.

Design:
Your coin features a detailed reproduction of the Cross of Valour, as originally designed by the late Bruce W. Beatty, C.M., S.O.M., C.D. Since its creation in 1972, the gold-edged cross with four equal limbs is synonymous with valour, as inscribed on the reverse of the authentic insignia; on the coin's reverse, the insignia's distinctive colour is replicated by the application of red and gold translucent paint over the engraved stylized pattern. At its centre lies the gold version of the motif common to all three Canadian Decorations for Bravery: a maple leaf surrounded by a laurel wreath. Your coin design also includes the engraved commemorative dates "1972" and "2017", as well as the word "CANADA". The obverse features the effigy of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, designed by Susanna Blunt.

Packaging:
Your coin is encapsulated and presented in a Royal Canadian Mint-branded maroon clamshell with a black beauty box.