2011 - Canada - 100th Anniversary of the 1911 Silver Dollar Set

One of Canada’s rarest, most storied silver dollars - revisited

Highlights:
Each coin reflects the denomination and size that circulated in 1911, and is struck in sterling silver (except one-cent coin) with a special double date (1911–2011). Coins are housed in a removable lens and are protected in an elegant cherry wood display case.

Coin designs:
Inspired by the 1911 silver dollar originally designed by W.H.J. Blakemore. The obverse features the effigy of King George V originally designed by Sir E. B. MacKennal.

Packaging:
These coins are packaged in a long narrow box consistent with 1911 shape. A modern day premium Cherry wood box proudly displays these coins.

A Sterling Treasure
When the Mint began striking coins in 1908 (then known as the Ottawa Branch of the Royal Mint), a one-dollar coin had not yet entered circulation, but was desperately needed; so in 1911, the Mint struck a trial one dollar coin in lead, while London’s Royal Mint struck two trial coins in silver.

Since Britain was responsible for preparing and distributing most of the master tooling to its Dominions and colonies, the engravers were under great pressure as they were already busy preparing new coins to coincide with the coronation of King George V. In their haste, they failed to include “Dei Gra(tia)”, (“By the Grace of God,” in Latin) on the inscription surrounding the effigy—an unfortunate omission that appeared on all smaller denomination coins that entered circulation and became known as “godless coins.”

A series of exceptional events and a change in government delayed the introduction of the new dollar. And it was not until 1935 that a silver dollar—the iconic Voyageur design—was introduced to elevate the original dollar of 1911 to the status of one of Canada’s rarest coins.