Obverse. Photo © Royal Canadian Mint
  • 1 Dollar 2022, Canada, Charles III, 175th Anniversary of Birth of Alexander Graham Bell
  • 1 Dollar 2022, Canada, Charles III, 175th Anniversary of Birth of Alexander Graham Bell
Description

The year 2022 marks the 175th anniversary of the birth of Alexander Graham Bell, the great inventor whose interests and inventions had a profound impact on our modern world—and many of those advancements were made in Canada.

Alexander Graham Bell (1847–1922) was a Scottish-born inventor, scientist, and engineer who is credited with inventing and patenting the first practical telephone. He also co-founded the American Telephone and Telegraph Company (AT&T) in 1885.

Many other inventions marked Bell's later life, including groundbreaking work in optical telecommunications, hydrofoils, and aeronautics. Although Bell was not one of the 33 founders of the National Geographic Society, he had a strong influence on the magazine while serving as the second president from January 7, 1898, until 1903.

Obverse

Fourth portrait of HM Queen Elizabeth II, when she was 77 years old, facing right and surrounded by the inscription. Date below.

Dei Gratia Regina (often abbreviated to D. G. Regina and seen as D·G·REGINA) is a Latin title meaning By the Grace of God, Queen.

Engraver: Susanna Blunt

ELIZABETH II D·G·REGINA
SB
2022

Reverse

A reproduction of Bell’s signature is paired with a portrait of the inventor in his later years, when much of his scientific work was done at his estate in Baddeck, Nova Scotia, Canada. Those experiments are represented by schematic illustrations of the Silver Dart—the aircraft that achieved the first controlled, powered flight in Canada—and the record-setting HD-4 hydrofoil; both crafts made history on Bras d’Or Lake.

The Silver Dart (or Aerodrome #4) was a derivative of an early aircraft built by a Canadian/U.S. team, which after many successful flights in Hammondsport, New York, earlier in 1908, was dismantled and shipped to Baddeck, Nova Scotia. It was flown from the ice of Baddeck Bay, a sub-basin of Bras d'Or Lake, on 23 February 1909, making it the first controlled powered flight in Canada. The aircraft was piloted by one of its designers, Douglas McCurdy. The original Silver Dart was designed and built by the Aerial Experiment Association (AEA), formed under the guidance of Dr. Alexander Graham Bell.

HD-4 or Hydrodome number 4 was an early research hydrofoil watercraft developed by the scientist Alexander Graham Bell. It was designed and built at the Bell Boatyard on Bell's Beinn Bhreagh estate near Baddeck, Nova Scotia. In 1919, it set a world marine speed record of 70.86 miles per hour (114.04 km/h).

Engraver: Chris Gorey (CG)

CANADA DOLLAR
CG
Alexander Graham Bell
175 YEARS / ANS

Edge
Characteristics
Type Commemorative Issue (Circulating)
Material Brass Plated Steel
Weight 6.27 g
Diameter 26.5 mm
Thickness 1.95 mm
Shape polygon
Sides 11
Alignment Medal
Mint
Royal Canadian Mint (Maple Leaf)

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