Canada Elizabeth II 50 Cents

History

50 Cents 1997-2000, KM# 290, Canada, Elizabeth II

50 Cents 1997-2000, KM# 290, Canada, Elizabeth II, Winnipeg Mint (W)

Obverse. Photo © NumisCorner.com

Description

Designed by C. Bursey-Sabourin and William Woodruff, the new reverse design added the motto DESIDERANTES MELIOREM PATRIAM on a ribbon behind the shield. The mantling shows a series of overlapping stylized maple leaves. The arrangement of the English rose, Scottish thistle, Irish shamrock and French fleur-de-lis was modified and extends the width of the motto.

Elizabeth II (Elizabeth Alexandra Mary; 1926–2022) was Queen of the United Kingdom and of 14 other Commonwealth realms. Her reign of 70 years and seven months, which began on 6 February 1952, was the longest of any British monarch in history.

When her father died in February 1952, Elizabeth—then 25 years old—became queen regnant of seven independent Commonwealth countries: the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Pakistan, and Ceylon (Sri Lanka), as well as Head of the Commonwealth. Elizabeth reigned as a constitutional monarch through major political changes such as the Troubles in Northern Ireland, devolution in the United Kingdom, the decolonisation of Africa, and the United Kingdom's accession to the European Communities and withdrawal from the European Union. The number of her realms varied over time as territories have gained independence and some realms have become republics.

Times of personal significance have included the births and marriages of her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren, her coronation in 1953 and the celebrations of her Silver, Golden, Diamond, and Platinum jubilees in 1977, 2002, 2012, and 2022, respectively.

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, surrounded by the inscription. 1998 and 2000 coins which were minted at the Winnipeg branch of the RCM and have a "W" mint mark below the Queen's effigy. 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	Animal (fish, bird, mammal etc.) Lion Coat of arms Canada Legendary creature (dragon, unicorn etc.) Unicorn Depicts the Royal Coat of Arms of Canada, proclaimed by King George V on November 21, 1921 and updated in 1957, surrounded with the date, 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. The ribbon is marked DESIDERANTES MELIOREM PATRIAM, meaning "Desiring a better country," which is the motto of the Order of Canada, taken from Hebrews 11:16. This component was added by the Queen in 1987 on the advice of her Prime Minister. CANADA 20 00 50 CENTS DESIDERANTES MELIOREM PATRIAM A MARI USQUE AD MARE
Edge	Reeded (milled)