Commems Collection Canadian: 1973 Prince Edward Island Centennial - Medal Set

In addition to the commemorative nickel dollar issued to mark the centennial/100th anniversary of Prince Edward Island joining the Canadian Confederation in 1873 - read about it here: 1973 Prince Edward Island Centennial - Nickel Dollar Commemorative - the Prince Edward Island 1973 Centennial Commission sponsored a medal set that includes five medals of the same design. The base set sold includes one medal in 0.500 fine silver, one in bronze. one in copper-nickel and one in red brass; each of the medals is 36 millimeters in diameter (the same as Canada's traditional silver dollar). A limited number (based on orders received) of gold medals of the same design were also struck.

The medals were struck by the Royal Canadian Mint and were designed by the Mint's Assistant Chief Engraver, Walter Ott.

Per the Commission, "The obverse side features Province House, as this is where the first meeting of the Fathers of Confederation was held. The words Prince Edward Island Centennial of Confederation and the official Coat of Arms are inscribed. The reverse side depicts an island surrounded by water with easy access by air and sea and is inscribed Fair Island of the Sea, an excerpt from the Island Hymn, written by Lucy Maud Montgomery." (Note: Lucy Maud Montgomery became famous for the novel Anne of Green Gables, published in 1908.)

Here's the first verse of the hymn:

Fair island of the sea,
We raise our song to thee,
The bright and blest;
Loyally now we stand
As brothers, hand in hand,
And sing God save the land
We love the best.

The popularity of the hymn remained strong over the years, and, in 2010, it became the Provincial Anthem of Prince Edward Island.

The four medals, inserted in a blue leather case, were available for $7.95; the medals were only sold as a set. The gold medal was available at $95.00.

I picked up my set at a coin show 10+ years ago. It was in a dealer's "Miscellaneous Box" - the box included inexpensive coin sets and medal sets from around the world. As the show was in the US, none of the international sets commanded a strong price - I paid $15 (USD) for my PEI four-piece set with case and original white outer sleeve. I've noticed they typically sell for more today.


1873 PEI Centennial Medal - Bronze


1973 PEI Centennial Medal Set - Four-Piece Case - Exterior


1973 PEI Centennial Medal Set - Four-Piece Case - Interior



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