Obverse. Photo © Saskatoon Coin Club
  • 50 Cents 1992, KM# 208, Canada, Elizabeth II, 125th Anniversary of the Canadian Confederation
  • 50 Cents 1992, KM# 208, Canada, Elizabeth II, 125th Anniversary of the Canadian Confederation
Description

125th anniversary of the Canadian Confederation occurred in 1992. Canadian Confederation was the process by which the British colonies of Canada, Nova Scotia, and New Brunswick were united into one Dominion of Canada on July 1, 1867. Upon confederation, the old province of Canada was divided into Ontario and Quebec; along with Nova Scotia and New Brunswick, the new federation thus comprised four provinces. Over the years since Confederation, Canada has seen numerous territorial changes and expansions, resulting in the current union of ten provinces and three territories.

Obverse

The crowned portrait of HM Queen Elizabeth II facing right, wearing the George IV State Diadem, surrounded by the inscription.

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

Depicts the Royal Coat of Arms of Canada, proclaimed by King George V on November 21, 1921 and updated in 1957, surrounded with the dates "1867 1992", the facial value and the inscription CANADA.

The design of the coat of arms includes:
• symbols of the four founding nations of Canada featured on the shield: the three royal lions of England, the royal lion of Scotland, the royal fleur-de-lis of France, and the royal Irish harp of Tara;
• the lion of England holding the Royal Union Flag and the unicorn of Scotland carrying the flag of Royal France;
• the floral emblems of the four founding nations: the English rose, the Scottish thistle, the French fleur-de-lis, and the Irish shamrock;
• the Royal Crown at the top, indicating that these are the Arms of Her Majesty the Queen in Right of Canada, commonly called the “Canada Coat of Arms”, the “Coat of Arms of Canada”, the “Arms of Canada” or the “Royal Coat of Arms of Canada”.

The motto of the Dominion of Canada is A Mari Usque Ad Mare which is officially translated as “From Sea to Sea” and “D’un océan à l’autre ”. The phrase comes from the Latin translation of Psalm 72:8 in the Bible.

Engraver: Thomas Shingles

1867 1992
CANADA 50 CENTS
T S
A MARI USQUE AD MARE

Edge
Characteristics
Type Commemorative Issue (Circulating)
Material Nickel
Weight 8.1 g
Diameter 27.13 mm
Thickness 2 mm
Shape round
Alignment Medal
Mint
Royal Canadian Mint (RCM)

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