Commems Collection Canadian: 2022 Imperial State Crown Silver Dollar

In addition to its Annual Silver Dollar ("SD") that commemorates the 175th Anniversary of the Birth of Alexander Graham Bell (read about it here: 2022 Alexander Graham Bell Silver Dollar, the Royal Canadian Mint also celebrated the legacy of Queen Elizabeth II ("QEII") with a Special Edition Silver Dollar that depicts the Imperial State Crown.

Note 1: Queen Elizabeth II died on September 8, 2022; she was 96 years old.

Note 2: The SD is dated "2022" in honor of QEII, but was not released until March 2023.

The Imperial State Crown is the Official Crown of the British monarch, and is worn at his/her coronation and at select official/formal events.

The modern Imperial State Crown was created for the coronation of King George VI in 1937 by Garrard & Co. - the Crown Jewelers. It weighs 1,060 grams (~37.4 ounces or ~2.34 pounds) and is 31.5 cm (~12.4 inches) tall.

The Royal Collection Trust describes the Crown thusly:

"The Imperial State Crown is formed from an openwork gold frame, mounted with three very large stones, and set with 2868 diamonds in silver mounts, largely table-, rose- and brilliant-cut, and coloured stones in gold mounts, including 17 sapphires, 11 emeralds and 269 pearls.

[...]

"The Crown is fitted with a purple velvet cap and ermine band."

Imperial State Crown

(Image Credit: Cyril James Humphries Davenport; Photographer. Public Domain.)

You can read much more about the Imperial State Crown on the web site of the Royal Collection Trust:

- The Imperial State Crown 1937

The Imperial State Crown Special Edition SD has a diameter of 36.07 millimeters, weighs 23.17 grams, is 0.999 fine silver, has a serrated/reeded edge and was struck as a Proof coin with selective gold-plating. The SD had a maximum mintage of 15,000 and was a sell out from the Mint.

The obverse of the coin presents conjoined portraits of the four different effigies of Qieen Elizabeth II that were used on Canadian coinage; the portraits are selectively gold-plated. In front is the portrait by Susanna Blunt (in use from 2003 to 2022), the second portrait is that done by Dora de Pedery-Hunt (in use from 1990 to 2002), next is the portrait created by Arnold Machin (in use from 1965 to 1989) and, at the rear, is the portrait by Mary Gillick (used from 1953 to 1964).

Also included in the design below the portraits is a Tudor Rose flanked by the dates of Queen Elizabeth II's reign "1952" and "2022".

The cental element of the reverse design is the Imperial State Crown. "CANADA" is seen above it, with a ribbon below. The ribbon features the coin's denomination "DOLLAR" and is adorned with roses and maple leaves. The ribbon and adornments are selectively gold-plated. The design is the work of Francois Guitard, an Ontario-based artist.

2022 Imperial State Crown Special Edition Silver Dollar


The SD had an Issue Price of $84.95 (CAD), it is delivered in a Royal Canadian Mint-branded black clamshell with a graphic beauty box (purple).


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