2014 (1939-) Canadian $20 First Royal Visit 75th Anniversary 1 oz Fine Silver Coin

2014 (1939-) Canadian $20 First Royal Visit 75th Anniversary 1 oz Fine Silver Coin

History was made when King George VI and Queen Elizabeth visited Canada in 1939. It was the first time a reigning monarch had ever traveled to North America, and for a young nation eager to flex its muscles of independence, the royal tour provided the perfect opportunity. Eight years earlier, a number of colonies had gained full sovereignty from British rule under the Statute of Westminster; for Canada, the Royal Tour would breathe life into that legal document in a real and dramatic way.

The royal tour was more than two years in the making; a grand, 29-day voyage across Canada from east to west and back again—almost 14,000 kilometres by rail. The royal train featured the best carriages that Canadian Pacific and the Canadian National Railway had to offer, with two specially fitted convertible McLaughlin-Buicks on board to tour the royal couple in cities and towns along the way.

The King and Queen arrived in the city of Québec aboard HMY Empress of Australia on May 17, 1939. Huge crowds of adoring well-wishers waited to greet them; a scene that was repeated again and again as the royal train made its way from the city of Québec to Montréal, Ottawa, Toronto, Port Arthur (Thunder Bay), Winnipeg, Regina, Calgary and Vancouver where the King and Queen where ferried to Victoria escorted by naval ships and air force.

The return trip followed a more northerly route through Jasper and Edmonton. Every village and town greeted the King and Queen with the same enthusiasm that had welcomed them in the city of Québec. At Niagara Falls, the royal train made a detour to the United States before returning to Canada near Montreal. From there, it traveled through Quebec's Eastern Townships, up the St. Lawrence River to St. John and Charlottetown. In Halifax, the King and Queen gave their farewell radio address, but this would not be their final function. After leaving port on June 15th aboard RMS Empress of Britain, the Royals visited Newfoundland, their final stop in the historic royal tour that will forever reign as a turning point in Canada's evolution into a mature and sovereign nation.

A highly limited mintage is sure to make this a sought-after coin for collectors and British monarchy fans worldwide.

Features

- From a popular archival photograph, your coin's design is engraved with a unique touch for royalty watchers and history buffs as it showcases one of the most memorable moments from the tour.
- Expertly crafted in 99.99% fine silver and beautifully enhanced with an antique finish usually only seen on medals—your coin is a unique gift celebrating a pivotal moment for Canada and its close relationship with the monarchy.
- Coin is GST/HST exempt with a limited worldwide mintage.

Design

Your coin features the King and Queen standing on the waving platform located at the back of the final car of the royal train. It served as the focal point of their arrival and departure from every stop along the tour and is the point where the couple would disembark and board the train. The King is in military dress and the Queen is elegantly dressed wearing white gloves, pearls and fur cuffs. Both are smiling and engaged in happy dialogue, evidently enjoying their latest visit as they travel across Canada.

Packaging

2014 (1939-) Canadian $20 First Royal Visit 75th Anniversary 1 oz Fine Silver Coin comes encapsulated and presented in a Royal Canadian Mint-branded maroon clamshell with a custom beauty box and Certificate of Authenticity.

Specifications

Face Value: $20
Mintage: 5,000
Composition: 99.99% Silver
Weight (g): 31.39
Diameter (mm): 38
Finish: Antique