On October 8, 1971, EJ Benson, Canada's Finance Minister at the time, announced the design contest for the 1973 nickel commemorative dollar; the deadline for entries was February 1, 1972. As with its previous design contests, the Mint established a judging committee to review designs, and set a First Prize of $3,500 with three runner-up prizes of $500 each. Only designs for the coin's reverse were sought as the standard portrait of Queen Elizabeth II would be used on the obverse.
The coins were to commemorate the 100th anniversary of Prince Edward Island (PEI) joining the Canadian Confederation, and submitted designs were to "reflect distinctive Prince Edward Island characteristics."
Over 540 entries were received, with the design of Terry Manning being selected as the winner. Manning's design presents the south elevation of the Prince Edward Island Provincial Legislature Building - "Province House" - in Charlottetown, PEI. (Manning's "TM" is seen to the left of the building's base; Walter Ott (the engraver) has his "WO" to the right.) PEI architect and builder Isaac Smith designed and built the structure. Construction on the building began in 1843, and the PEI legislature began meeting in it in 1847. In 1864, Province House was host to the delegates to the Charlottetown Conference, which ultimately led to the formation of the Canadian Confederation.
Below the Province House, in English and French, are the inscriptions "PRINCE / EDWARD ISLAND" and "ILE DU PRINCE / EDOUARD" flanked by the "1873" and "1973" anniversary years.
The Building is still in use by the PEI Assembly, though the building is currently being renovated and the legislature is meeting at the George Coles Building (next to Province House) while the work is done.
Province House has been designated a National Historic Site of Canada. In 1974, Parks Canada signed an Agreement with PEI "to restore, preserve, interpret and administer Province House as a national historic site for a period of 99 years." (Parks Canada / Province House National Historic Site web site)
The nickel PEI commemorative dollar did not have a silver dollar counterpart - the 1973 commemorative silver dollar celebrated the centennial of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP).
1973 Mintage FiguresCirculation Coin: 2,683,000
Collector Coin 1: 466,881 [Cased Dollar/Specimen finish]
Collector Coin 2: 243,695 [Included in Proof-Like Sets]
Collector Coin 3: 49,376 [Included in Specimen Set]
The coin was available individually in circulation (at face value) and cased for $2.00. It was also available within the 1973 Proof-Like Set which was issued at $4.00 and the Specimen Set which was issued at $6.50 (all prices in Canadian dollars).
As was the 1971 British Columbia nickel dollar, the PEI Dollar was packaged within a descriptive, black plastic frame that was inserted into a navy blue, rectangular clam shell case. Canada's Coat-of-Arms and "CANADA" is printed in silver on the lid of the case. The clam shell was fitted into a white outer sleeve with the Coat-of-Arms and "CANADA" printed in navy blue on its top panel. (See images in British Columbia Nickel Dollar post:
here.)
1973 Prince Edward Island Nickel Dollar
1973 Prince Edward Island Nickel Dollar - Printed Insert Frame
For other of my posts about commemorative coins and medals, including more Canadian Commemorative stories, see:
Commems Collection.
Posted 07/29/2023 4:26 pm
