Commems Collection Canadian: 2001 Royal Military College 125th Anniversary

Continuing my look at some of Canada's non-circulating legal tender ("NCLT") five-cent coins...

Other of my posts about commemorative five-cent pieces can be read here:

- 2004 60th Anniversary Of D-Day - Coin & Medallion Set
- 2005 60th Anniversary Of V E Day - Coin & Medallion Set


In 2001, the Royal Canadian Mint issued a NCLT commemorative five-cent coin to mark the 125th Anniversary of Canada's Royal Military College. I thought it might be the start of a new historical commemorative series by the Mint, so I decided to add one to my collection.

The Royal Military College ("RMC") was established in 1874 via an Act of Canada's Parliament. The Act established the RMC "for the purpose of providing a complete education in all branches of military tactics, fortification, engineering, and general scientific knowledge in subjects connected with and necessary to thorough knowledge of the military profession."

Kingston, Ontario was selected as the site for the RMC. It held its first classes in 1876 - the year/event being commemorated by the coin.

The College continues in operation to the present. It offers undergraduate and graduate programs in the Social Sciences, the Humanities, Science and Engineering.

The obverse of the coin features the Dora de Pedery-Hunt portrait of Queen Elizabeth II. The reverse design is the result of the combined efforts of Gerald T. Locklin (Designer) and Susan Taylor (Engraver). The design presents the RMC's Cadet Colour Guard to the left, and the RMC Memorial Arch in the background to the right.

The Colour Guard is a ceremonial unit (comprised of cadets) that performs precise drill sequences at important events such as the Commissioning Parade and annual Sunset Ceremony in Kingston, Ontario. Its team depicted on the coin carries two flags: the Queen's Colour and the Regimental Colour. The flags/Colours are held by Colour officers (cadet officers), who are accompanied by Colour Escorts (five cadet officers on the coin).

The Memorial Arch was constructed on the campus of the RMC to honor the cadets who lost their lives fighting for Canada in World War I or previous wars. The cornerstone for the monument was laid in June 1923; its construction was completed in 1924 and was dedicated in June. The granite monument stands 46 feet tall with a width of 42 feet.

Note: The Memorial Arch has been enlarged with flanking pedestals that honor cadets lost in Canada's wars since World War I.

The coin had an issue price of $16.95 (CAD) and has a published final mintage of 25,834 coins (Maximum Mintage: 40,000). Its composition is Sterling Silver (92.5% Silver, 7.5% Copper), with a diameter of 21.20 millimeters and a weight of 5.35 grams.

2001 Royal Military College 125th Anniversary Five Cents Coin


2001 Royal Military College 125th Anniversary Outer Sleeve



For other of my posts about commemorative coins and medals, including more Canadian numismatics stories, see: Commems Collection