I recrntly posted about the Royal Canadian Mint's 2004 Coin & Medallion Set that honored the 60th Anniversary Of D-Day (see it here:
2004 60th Anniversary Of D-Day - Coin & Medallion Set). A "companion" Set was issued in 2005 to mark the 60th Anniversary of VE-Day (Victory in Europe).
Here's a quick look at the VE-Day Set:
As I did in the previous post, I'm beginning with some historical context via an excerpt from the Imperial War Museum web site page on the victory in Europe:
"8 May 1945 -- VE Day (Victory in Europe Day) -- was one that remained in the memory of all those who witnessed it. It meant an end to nearly six years of a war that had cost the lives of millions; had destroyed homes, families, and cities; and had brought huge suffering and privations to the populations of entire countries.
"Millions of people rejoiced in the news that Germany had surrendered, relieved that the intense strain of total war was finally over. In towns and cities across the world, people marked the victory with street parties, dancing and singing."The web site of the Imperial War Museum provides some great history via text and images that is well worth the time. Check it out here:
What You Need To Know About VE DayThe VE-Day 60th Anniversary Set includes a Sterling Silver (0.925 Fine Silver) Proof five-cent coin, a Bronze medallion and a small, illustrated, bi-lingual booklet that reviews Canada's role in bringing an end to World War II.
The reverse of the 2005 commemorative five-cent piece presents the "Torch and V" design of Thomas Shingles, the "V" is flanked by the dates "1945" and "2005" The coin's obverse presents the left-facing portrait of King George VI (designed/engraved by Thomas Humphrey "TH" Paget). Winston Churchill's "We Win When We Work Willingly" quote - in Morse code - is seen near the rim of the commemorative/tribute coin's reverse - it replicates what appeared on the original 1942-1945 coin.
The Sterling Silver five-cent piece has a diameter of ~21.3 millimeters ("mm") and a weight of 5.354 grams ("g").
The Set's Bronze medallion recreates the five-cent coin's original obverse design via a King George VI portrait that was designed/engraved by Thomas Humphrey "TH" Paget. The medal's reverse features a "Land, Air and Sea" design theme with the busts of three soldiers representing the three primary branches of the military (i.e., Army, Navy, Air Force). The soldiers are superimposed on the "V" (Victory) symbol along with a maple leaf. The design is the work of Peter Mossman.
The Bronze medallion is 35.90 mm in diameter and weighs 26.40 g.
The Set is housed in a gray-colored tin with an antiqued appearance. The front of the tin (i.e., its lid) presents a helmeted WWII soldier flanked by VE-Day 60th Anniversary labels in English and French.
Per the 2005 Annual Report of the
Royal Canadian Mint, the Set had an issued total of 42,792 units (the published Maximum for the Set was 50,000). The Set went on sale on April 4, 2005 for $29.95 (CDN).
2005 VE-Day 60th Anniversary Set - Outer Tin
2005 VE-Day 60th Anniversary Set - Coin Card / Front
2005 VE-Day 60th Anniversary Set - Coin Card / Back
2005 VE-Day 60th Anniversary Set - Booklet - Cover / English
2005 VE-Day 60th Anniversary Set - Booklet - Cover / French
For other of my posts about commemorative coins and medals, including more Canadian coin stories, see:
Commems Collection
Posted 05/10/2026 09:46 am
