Commems Collection Canadian: 2025 Tomb Of The Unknown Soldier

Canada's Tomb of the Unknown Soldier ("Tomb") is part of the National War Memorial that is located in Ottawa, Ontario in Confederation Square (a National Historic Site of Canada). The Square is located southeast of Parliament Hill.

The Tomb is a granite sarcophagus. It measures 12 feet in length by 8 feet in width. It is three feet high divided between three tiers.

Tomb of the Unknown Soldier (at left) in Front of National War Memorial

(Image Source: Government of Canada, Veterans Affairs Canada web site. )

The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier was constructed in 2000 (its planning took place between 1996 and 2000); the Royal Canadian Legion was involved with the planning.

See: Royal Canadian Legion Centennial for information about the Royal Canadian Legion and the Mint's 2026 Silver Dollar that commemorates its Centennial.

The Tomb holds the remains of an unidentified Canadian soldier of World War I. The soldier was previously buried in the Cabaret-Rouge British Cemetery near Vimy Ridge, France and was moved to the Tomb in May 2000. The soldier's remains were exhumed on May 16, 2000; a repatriation ceremony was held in France on May 25, 2000. The remains were then flown to Canada by the Canadian Armed Forces. A casket containing the remains laid in State in the Hall of Honour on Capital Hill between May 25 and May 28, 2000. On May 28, 2000 the casket was interred in the Tomb.

Two sentries, from the Ceremonial Guard, are stationed at the Tomb between 9:00 am and 5:00 pm from April 9 through November 10 (plus other significant milltary anniversaries at other times during the year).

Note: Per the Government of Canada web site:

"In 1980, the Ceremonial Guard was created to plan, prepare and execute the prestigious task of public duties in the National Capital Region during the summer. "

For more details about the Tomb, see:

- Tomb of the Unknown Soldier

The Mint commemorated the 25th Anniversary of the establishment of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier with a Silver Dollar ("SD"), a circulating $2 coin (plain and colourized) and a $100 Gold coin.

The SD has a diameter of 36.07 millimeters, weighs 23.17 grams, is 0.999 fine silver, has a serrated/reeded edge and was struck as a Proof coin; it was also available with selective gold-plating as part of the 2025 Fine Silver Proof Set. The SD had a maximum mintage of 35,000; the Proof Set had a maximum mintage of 25,000. (Final, confirmed sales/mintage figures are not yet available for either option.)

The SD's obverse features the left-facing portrait (by Steven Rosati) of King Charles III. The reverse presents the Tomb, seen from above, with multiple adornments.

The design features three Memorial crosses. On the Memorial cross at the 12 o'clock position is the Royal Cypher of King George V (the Monarch during World War I); at the 3 o'clock position is a Memorial cross with the Royal Cypher of Queen Elizabeth II (the Monarch at the time of the Tomb's dedication) and the Memorial cross at the 9 o'clock position includes the Royal Cypher of King Charles III (the Monarch at the time the SD was issued). At the 6 o'clock position is seen a Poppy flower - symbolic of Remembrance.

Superimposed on the depiction of the overhead view of the Tomb's sarcophagus is a World War I soldier's helmet (upper section, to the right of the Tomb's sword. Above and right of the helmet is a branch of Maple leaves. Also seen in the design are loose Poppy flowers and roses.

In a subtle nod to the actual sarcophagus of the Tomb, three rings encircle the center design - they are meant to symbolize the three tiers of the Tomb.

The design was created by Pandora Young; her "PY" initials are seen to the right of the sarcophagus at about the 4 o'clock position.

2025 Tomb of the Unknown Soldier Silver Dollar - Regular Issue


2025 Tomb of the Unknown Soldier Silver Dollar - Selectively Gold-Plated Issue from Proof Set


The individual Proof coin was issued at $149.95 (CAD) - it would later rise to $209.95 (CAD) due to the advance of the price of silver in the market; the Fine Silver Proof Set was issued at $589.95 (CAD).

The Royal Canadian Mint web site has an informative backgrounder on the Tomb. Check it out here:

- Canada's Unknown Soldier


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