Tuesday, March 21, 2006

2006 Proof Silver Dollar Coin

The Royal Canadian Mint has struck a new 2006 Proof Silver Dollar Coin.

This coin commemorates the Victoria Cross, the Highest military Decoration during the Crimean War.

The Victoria Cross was awarded, “…for most conspicuous bravery, or some daring or pre-eminent act of valor or self-sacrifice, or extreme devotion to duty in the presence of the enemy.”

94 of these awards have been presented to Canadians, 8 for acts of bravery carried out prior to and during the South African War (1899-1902); 70 during the First World War (1914-1918); and 16 during the Second World War (1939-1945).

The Victoria Cross is one of the most recognized military medals in the world. It features a cross pattee with the Royal Crown surmounted by a lion guardant and a scroll inscribed with ‘For Valour’. The date of the act is engraved within a raised circle on the reverse. The cross is suspended from a straight bar which has the rank, unit and name of the recipient engraved on the back. In 1993, a special Canadian version was instituted. It is identical to the original with the exception that the inscription on the scroll is in Latin (Pro Valore).

Specifications on this very fine gold coin are:

Face Value: 1 dollar
Mintage: Produced to demand
Composition: 99.99% silver
Weight (g): 25.175
Diameter (mm): 36.07
Edge: Reeded
Finish: Proof
Certificate: Not serialized
Artist: Royal Canadian Mint engravers
Price is $34.95 CAN

Many collectors will be happy to own one of these coins, especially if they have fought in a war and the 2006 Proof Silver Dollar Coin will make an outstanding addition to any collection.

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