Obverse. Photo © Heritage Auctions
  • 1 Dollar 1948-1952, KM# 46, Canada, George VI
  • 1 Dollar 1948-1952, KM# 46, Canada, George VI
Description

In 1948, India was granted independence from the British Empire. Because of this, the words "ET IND IMP" (And Emperor of India) had to be removed from all obverse coin dies.

The Voyageur Dollar was a coin of Canada struck for circulation from 1935 through 1986. Until 1968, the coin was composed of 80% silver. A smaller, nickel version for general circulation was struck from 1968 through 1986. In 1987, the coin was replaced by the loonie.

Obverse

Bare head of George VI facing left, surrounded by the legend, an abbreviated translation of “George VI, by the Grace of God, King”.

George VI (1895–1952) was King of the United Kingdom and the Dominions of the British Commonwealth from 11 December 1936 until his death. He was the last Emperor of India and the first Head of the Commonwealth.

As the second son of King George V, he was not expected to inherit the throne and spent his early life in the shadow of his elder brother, Edward. George's elder brother ascended the throne as Edward VIII upon the death of their father in 1936. However, later that year Edward revealed his desire to marry divorced American socialite Wallis Simpson. British Prime Minister Stanley Baldwin advised Edward that for political and religious reasons he could not marry a divorced woman and remain king. Edward abdicated in order to marry, and George ascended the throne as the third monarch of the House of Windsor.

Engraver: Thomas Humphrey Paget

GEORGIVS VI DEI GRATIA REX
HP

Reverse

Depicts a canoe containing a voyageur, or unlicensed fur trader, and an Indigenous man (aboriginal). The canoe also contains two bundles of furs—on one, the initials HB, for Hudson's Bay Company may be seen.

Engraver: Emanuel Hahn

CANADA
1948
DOLLAR

Edge

1 Dollar

KM# 46 Schön# 45
Characteristics
Material Silver
Fineness 0.800
Weight 23.3276 g
Diameter 36.06 mm
Thickness 2.84 mm
Shape round
Alignment Medal
Mint
Royal Canadian Mint (RCM)

Related coins

Voyageur Dollar, 25th Anniversary of the Reign of King George V

Silver, 23.3 g, ⌀ 36.06 mm
Voyageur Dollar

Silver, 23.3276 g, ⌀ 36.06 mm
With IND IMP

Silver, 23.3276 g, ⌀ 36.06 mm