The Royal Canadian Mint has announced that it will produce a special coin to commemorate the Centenary of the declaration of the First World War.
Designed by Canadian artist Bonnie Ross, the silver dollar depicts a couple embracing at a train station, where the first wave of volunteers is boarding a train bound for the Valcartier camp.
The Mint describes the coin as “a poignant reminder of the sacrifices made by those who answered the call of duty, and their loved ones who remained on the home front”.
As Canada was a dominion of Britain, it was automatically drawn into the conflict when the UK declared war on Germany on the 4th August 1914. However, on the 5th August, Canada’s Governor-General committed Canada fully to the conflict by declaring war on Germany separately.
A special gold plated version of the coin is also set to be minted.
The gold-plated version of the commemorative coin, which is part of the Fine Silver Proof Set – 100th Anniversary of the Declaration of the First World War (2014)
Source: Royal Canadian Mint website
Images courtesy of the Royal Canadian Mint
Posted by: Daniel Barry, Centenary News