Commems Collection Canadian: 1974 Winnipeg, Manitoba Centennial - Silver Dollar

The fourth Silver Dollar in Canada's non-circulating legal tender (NCLT) commemorative Silver Dollar (SD) series (1971-present) is the 1974 Winnipeg, Manitoba Centennial coin.

For a quick introduction to Winnipeg history, see my related story about the 1974 Winnipeg Nickel Dollar (ND): 1974 Winnipeg, Manitoba Centennial - Nickel Dollar.

The Silver Dollar shared its design with the Nickel Dollar- the design was created by Paul Pederson. Mint engraver Patrick Brindley created the model of Pederson's design sketch; the model was used to create the coinage dies.

The coin's obverse presents a right-facing portrait of Queen Elizabeth II, the second version of QE II's portrait to appear on Canadian coinage. The portrait was designed by Arnold Machin and engraved for coinage by Patrick Brindley.

The commemorative reverse design portrays a "Then and Now" theme, depicted within the two "0's" of "100." Each of the large "0's" presents a view - 100 years apart (1874 and 1974) - of a main Winnipeg road intersection: Portage Avenue and Main Street. The 1874 scene presents a quiet street scene with an ox-drawn wagon in the foreground and low-rise commercial buildings of the city, including one with an active smokestack, in the background. The "1974" scene presents the modern (circa 1974) city of Winnipeg with its high-rise office buildings and a traffic-filled street scene. "WINNIPEG" is presented above the "100" with the anniversary years "1874-1974" below.


(Image Credits: Royal Canadian Mint, Media Image.)

The SD went on sale January 1, 1974, but customers were advised that the production dates for the coin would be determined by the volume of orders received and that it could be months before coins are delivered. (No more complaints against the Mint's current delivery timelines!) The coin's Issue Price was $3.50. (My how times have changed!)

As the Mint was not producing Proof finish coins at the time, the Winnipeg SD was only available in what was referred to at the time as a Specimen finish - it more closely resembles today's Brilliant Uncirculated finish more than the "linen-look" of the Mint's current Specimen finish coins.

The coin was struck on a planchet that is 0.500 silver and 0.500 copper (i.e., 50/50 silver/copper). It is 36.07 mm in diameter and has a weight of 23.3276 grams (Actual Silver Weight of 0.375 oz.); the SD has a reeded/serrated edge. The coin was struck in medal alignment (i.e., the obverse and reverse are in the same orientation vs. facing opposite directions).

The SD was encapsulated and placed in a black plastic (styrene) insert that was fitted into a red flocked tray within a black clam shell presentation case. The interior side of the case's lid features the Winnipeg Seal. The clam shell slipped into a white, thin cardboard outer sleeve that included Canada's Coat-of-Arms printed in orange. The SD sold a total of 628,183 units.


(Image Credit: Royal Canadian Mint, Media Image.)

Easily found for sale in today's marketplace, I would suggest moving ahead with a purchase of one that is unimpaired and in its original case - such shouldn't be that difficult.


For more of my topics on commemorative coins and medals, including other Canadian commemorative stories, see: Commems Collection.