RCC/Celebrating the Accession of Queen Elizabeth II

Celebrating the Accession of Queen Elizabeth II

The Royal Canadian Mint (RCM) will be offering a series of circulation and commemorative coins in 2002 to honor the 50th anniversary of the accession of Queen Elizabeth II. The first commemorative coin to be announced was a silver dollar. It is the 40th issue in the RCM’s commemorative silver dollar program; the first was issued in 1935 to mark the 25th anniversary of the accession to the throne by King George V. The RCM marked the silver anniversary of Queen’s accession in 1977 with a commemorative silver as well.

2002 Queen Elizabeth II Commemorative Dollar Reverse

The reverse of the 2002 dollar features an interesting design that appears to overlay a close-up of the Queen on an image of her official Coronation carriage. The young Queen, at the left of the design, is presented as she appeared on the day of her Coronation. She is shown looking out the window of the ceremonial carriage, framed by its elaborate window treatment. The right side of the design depicts the Gold State Coach carriage, flanked by two of the Queen's Body Guard of the Yeomen of the Guard.

The obverse of the coin features the traditional Dora de Pédery-Hunt portrait of the Queen, but is dual-dated 1952-2002 to mark the celebration year. All circulating Canadian coinage will also bear the dual anniversary dates.

The RCM is producing the sterling silver dollars with proof and brilliant uncirculated (BU) finishes. Announced mintage limits are 125,000 for the proof version and 75,000 for the BU pieces. The proof is available for $20.45, while BU pieces are offered at $13.95. Each coin is 36.07 mm in diameter (US silver dollars, for comparison, are slightly larger at 38.1 mm) and weighs 25.175 grams.

I’ve been collecting Canada’s commemorative silver dollars for almost ten years now, and have exhibited the pieces both locally and nationally with success. They are almost universally well designed and attractive, and together make for a very diverse and impressive collection. As all of the coins are also reasonably priced, they also are a great series for the collector on a budget who enjoys assembling sets of “big silver.”

Until next month, Happy Collecting!

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