The Royal Canadian Mint Centennial 1908-2008 Silver Proof 50 Cents Coin
The Royal Canadian Mint celebrates its centennial with this unique coin featuring a double-dated (1908-2008) silver proof replica of the 1908 fifty-cent piece, Canada’s first domestically-produced coin.
Reverse: Along the rim, a wreath of maple leaves. On top, a crown. In the center, the face value, "CANADA", and "1908 - 2008".
Obverse: In the center, a portrait of His Majesty King Edward VII. Along the rim, the inscriptions "EDWARDUS VII" on the left, and "DEI GRATIA REX IMPERATOR" on the right.
Royal Canadian Mint engravers reproduced the coin's design from an original 50-cent coin struck at the Mint in 1908.
In 1908, the institution that would become known as the Royal Canadian Mint officially opened for business. Still, coin designs and tools remained the domain of the Royal Mint in London while the Canadian facility operated as its Ottawa branch. True to Canadian form, it quickly gained international recognition for the quality of its work.
