Commems Collection Canadian: 2011 Special Edition Silver Dollar

To mark the 100th anniversary of the 1911 striking of a few trial pieces for a potential new Canadian Silver Dollar (SD), the Royal Canadian Mint (R C M) struck a Special Edition 2011 SD and Proof Set. In 1911, the Canadian Mint struck a single example in lead, while the Royal Mint in London struck two in silver. No SDs were struck for general release/circulation in 1911; Canada's first SD for circulation was released in 1935.

The 2011 coin was, in essence, a reproduction of the original design with a few minor changes. The original 1911 coin's obverse portrait of King George V was the work of Sir Edgar Bertram MacKennal; the original reverse design was created by William Henry James Blakemore. Each of these original designs was the core of the design on the same side of the 2011 coin. Minor changes seen include an update to the coin's denomination from "ONE DOLLAR" to "1 DOLLAR" on the reverse to make it bilingual and a change to the "1911" date to make it "1911-2011" to reflect the coin's commemorative anniversary status.

The original designs were adapted/recreated by unspecified members of the Mint's engraving staff.

The coin was available as a standalone Special Edition proof coin for $64.95 CAD, and as part of a Special Edition Proof Set for $179.95. The individual SD had a maximum mintage of 15,000; the SE Proof Set's maximum mintage was set at 6,000. The final sales total for each was 14,569 units and 5,952 units, respectively. Each option achieved "Sold Out" status on the Mint's web site, the difference between actual and maximum potential mintage figures being accounted for by returns and/or damaged units. I wound up getting one of each option for my collection.

An interesting side note: The obverse legend on the 1911 circulation coins of the lower denominations struck for circulation ($0.01 through $0.50) mistakenly did not include "Dei Gra(tia)" - Latin for "By the Grace of God" - Canada's "Godless" coins. The pattern dollars, however, did include the full and proper obverse legend. The Proof Set coins are faithful to the originals regarding their obverse legends.


2011 Canada Special Edition Commemorative Silver Dollar