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 Replies: 12 / Views: 2,722 |
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CCF Master Historian of USA Commemoratives
 United States
11357 Posts |
As I do each year about this time, I've begun wondering about potential themes for Canada's 2023 commemorative Silver Dollar (SD).
I once again visited the Government of Canada's web site to see which "Significant Anniversaries" it would be highlighting in the coming year. It listed a few more than in past years:
- 100th anniversary of the Chinese Immigration Act
- 100th anniversary of the birth of artist Jean-Paul Riopelle
- 100th anniversary of the signing of the Williams Treaties
- 125th anniversary of the creation of the Yukon Territory
- 150th anniversary of the signing of Treaty 3
- 150th anniversary of Prince Edward Island joining Confederation
- 75th anniversary of the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights
- 70th anniversary of the Korean War Armistice
- 150th anniversary of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP)
After reading the summaries of each included on the site, I think the creation of the Yukon Territory and the anniversary of PEI joining the Confederation are among the leading candidates for a 2023 SD, though I wonder if the 1973 PEI dollar that marked the centennial of it joining the Confederation will knock it out of the running? The 150th anniversary of the RCMP, however, is in the lead for me among the themes listed.
The Mint loves it some RCMP, so using its annual SD to mark the force's sesquicentennial seems entirely possible (even though its centennial was marked with a SD in 1973).
In addition, I think it's a given that King George Charles III's ascension to the throne and formal coronation will be subjects of celebration in Canada in 2023 and that the Mint will mark the occasion(s) with multiple commemorative coins. It's hard for me to imagine that a SD would not be at least one of the coins that will be used for such commemoration(s). It's possible that a Special Edition SD will be used vs. the Annual Issue SD, but I strongly believe that a 2023 SD will be in the mix.
Another possibility is the 250th anniversary of the Ship Hector landing in Nova Scotia with Scottish immigrants that would go on to found the first permanent Scottish settlement in Canada. I'm not sure it checks all the boxes needed for a SD tribute, but I can see the Mint issuing a commemorative coin of some denomination as a tribute.
2023 is also the centennial year for Canada's Naval Reserve Centennial. The Naval Reserve is comprised of Canada's "citizen sailors" who work in the Canadian Navy on a part-time basis, while maintaining their civilian life. The Mint might choose to honor the Reserve, but I think a SD is a long shot.
We'll know in just over a month from now, but it's fun to speculate in the interim. What do you think will be the SD's theme in January?
Collecting history one coin or medal at a time! (c) commems. All rights reserved.
Edited by commems
11/13/2022 8:22 pm
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Pillar of the Community
Canada
557 Posts |
There are some great options there, but Canadian politics will play the largest factor in the RCM decision making process...unfortunately. |
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Pillar of the Community
 Canada
959 Posts |
You mean King Charles III.  I agree that the RCMP is a leading candidate. Some of those themes could also be reflected on circulating commemorative coins. |
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CCF Master Historian of USA Commemoratives
 United States
11357 Posts |
Quote:
You mean King Charles III. Now that;s what I call a typo! I was thinking "Charles" as I typed "George"! I've sent my fingers to bed without their dinner as punishment!
Collecting history one coin or medal at a time! (c) commems. All rights reserved.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1362 Posts |
Looking over the list, I agree that the PEI and RCMP options are top choices. I DO HOPE that the reverse artwork will be changed, and that the Mint won't just copy previous coinage. I expect the RCM to add another topic for a second loonie again next year (maybe Riopelle this time instead of Peterson). I also agree that there might be a plethora of 'Chucky' coins next year. It will be a little refreshing to see a different obverse. I do hope that I will see a "Willie" coin, though, before I die.  |
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Pillar of the Community
Canada
663 Posts |
I agree that the change in monarch has inserted a new variable into the SD stakes. From my review of the last few years, the "common" or "low cost" commemoratives released are: 1) The SD (replicated in Selective gold plate in the Silver Proof Set) 2) The Special Edition SD as found as part of the base metal proof set 3) A rarer (these days) standalone SD 4) A colourized and non colourized circulating Loon ... sometimes with a matching SD or Loon SD 5) A colourized and non colourized $2 circulating coin My 2cents... Chuckles will dominate and probably see a number of releases... Many higher value (Gold and/or Platinum Ounce/ 5oz Silver) but 100% agreement with the posts above that Charles III will be well if not over represented in RCM issues next year. I think a special edition SD is more likely. Recent years have seen the UN and political/sporting releases on circulating coins. - I think the UN Declaration on Human Rights will find itself on a colourized Loon or $2 issue, same for Chinese Immigration act if noted at all. - PEI and Yukon will go unrecognised. The last provincial recognition was 2005 with Alberta/Saskatchewan... - Maybe a 150th Anniversary of the Toronto Argonauts... Founded in 1873... We have seen Loons dedicated to the Saskatchewan Roughriders and the Montreal Canadiens... Given past history of favouring the RCMP, I see this as the prime candidate for the Standard Issue SD and Proof Set. The other rationale for this is that the SD and Proof set are released in January. With the coronation in May, that lines up nicely for a Chuckles focused Special Edition SD complete with a bunch of other higher value releases. |
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Pillar of the Community
710 Posts |
Good analysis in this thread. There are certainly many design themes to choose from. So besides #1-2 above, I can see 1 (possibly 2) standalone Special/Limited Edition SDs in the regular format. The historical and sports themes work well on circulation loonies and twoonies. I'd like to see more of these circulation releases in 2023, along with the RCM improving distribution to the public. 2023 is shaping up to be an interesting year for collectors! |
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CCF Master Historian of USA Commemoratives
United States
11357 Posts |
@vonigohcr: Thank you for posting your thoughts - always a good read.
I'm wondering if the Mint's first SD release will feature Elizabeth II or Charles III on its obverse. The "logical" answer is "Charles III," but I wonder if there has been enough time for an official Royal Portrait for coinage to be approved by Charles? Without such approval, the Mint would likely not proceed with a Charles portrait on its coins.
Has anyone heard specific details on this?
Collecting history one coin or medal at a time! (c) commems. All rights reserved.
Edited by commems
12/02/2022 11:02 am
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Pillar of the Community
Canada
663 Posts |
Quote:
The "logical" answer is "Charles III," but I wonder if there has been enough time for an official Royal Portrait for coinage to be approved by Charles? The Royal Mint in the UK has had a Charles Obverse for a while now... See their 2022 dated Memorial Sovereign. I can't imagine that the RCM cannot either use the UK design or have their own designed; at the end of the day; the departure of QEII was only a matter of time. I have to believe that the Charles Obverse has been on a shelf for a while in anticipation of its inevitable need. Then again... Anyone up for a 2022 "Maple Leaf" release... or even a 2022 "Dot" release?
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New Member
Canada
26 Posts |
Personally, I'd love to see a few other events show up on coins. Though I agree PEI and RCMP are front-runners, here are some other landmark events I wouldn't mind seeing on coins:
- Toronto Argonauts established (150 years)
- Foster Hewitt announces first hockey game (100 years ago)
- birth of Bobby Orr (75 years ago)
- beginning construction of CN Tower (50 years ago)
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CCF Master Historian of USA Commemoratives
United States
11357 Posts |
@chief: Welcome to CCF! Let me guess, a hockey fan? All of your ideas are certainly possible, between circulating and non-circulating commemorative coins of multiple denomminations, the Mint releases quite a number of commemorative pieces each year. Any of the themes/subjects you've identified could find their way to a coin. Collecting history one coin or medal at a time! (c) commems. All rights reserved.
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New Member
Canada
26 Posts |
@commems
Thank you!
I should clarify too - when I wrote the post, I forgot we were specifically speculating about themes for SDs. I don't think any of my events would be considered SD-worthy, but yes, I wouldn't mind seeing a couple of them make it on to other circulating or non-circulating coinage
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Pillar of the Community
Canada
862 Posts |
Some dubious anniversaries in that initial list. I'm all for celebrating hockey's god, Bobby Orr though.....Maybe a special edition $4 coin.....
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Replies: 12 / Views: 2,722 |
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Posted 11/13/2022 10:07 am
