Canada Elizabeth II 10 Cents

History

10 Cents 2000, KM# 409, Canada, Elizabeth II, 100th Anniversary of the Canadian Credit Union

Obverse. Photo © Canadian Coin & Currency

Description

The concept of a cooperative financial institution - a bank owned and operated by the people - was brought to North America by Canadian Gabriel-Alphonse Desjardins (1854-1920). He was the co-founder of the Caisses Populaires Desjardins (today Desjardins Group), a forerunner of North American credit unions and community banks. The Desjardins Group (or Mouvement des caisses Desjardins in French) is the largest association of credit unions in North America. Located mostly in Quebec, and in Ontario, Alberta, and New Brunswick, it is a federation of 376 local Caisses populaires Desjardins, which serves 5.8 million members.

Obverse	Crown, jewelry Diamond Diadem Person (king, queen, tsar etc.) Elizabeth II The crowned portrait of HM Queen Elizabeth II facing right, wearing the George IV State Diadem. The George IV State Diadem, officially the Diamond Diadem, is a type of crown that was made in 1820 for King George IV. The diadem is worn by queens and queens consort in procession to coronations and State Openings of Parliament. The piece of jewellery has been featured in paintings and on stamps and currency. It can be seen in the Queen's Gallery at Buckingham Palace. ELIZABETH II DEI GRATIA REGINA means Elizabeth II, by the grace of God, Queen. Engraver: Dora de Pédery-Hunt ELIZABETH II D·G·REGINA
Reverse	Construction (building, bridge etc.) House Alphonse Desjardins' house in Lévis. It was headquarter of the Caisses populaires in North America. Engraver: Jean-Guy Lebel CANADA 1900 2000 JGL 10 CENTS
Edge	Reeded (milled)