Obverse. Photo © NumisCorner.com
  • 1 Dollar 2005, KM# 552, Canada, Elizabeth II, 25th Anniversary of Terry Fox's Marathon of Hope
  • 1 Dollar 2005, KM# 552, Canada, Elizabeth II, 25th Anniversary of Terry Fox's Marathon of Hope
  • 1 Dollar 2005, KM# 552, Canada, Elizabeth II, 25th Anniversary of Terry Fox's Marathon of Hope, 6 varieties
Description

On April 12, 1980, Terry Fox set out to make his dream of a cancer-free tomorrow come true. On the 25th anniversary of the start of the Marathon of Hope, the Royal Canadian Mint proudly honoured this Canadian hero with a special circulation $1 coin. This coin became the first circulation coin to feature a Canadian.

Terrance Stanley Fox (1958–1981) was a Canadian athlete, humanitarian, and cancer research activist. In 1980, with one leg having been amputated due to cancer, he embarked on an east to west cross-Canada run to raise money and awareness for cancer research. Although the spread of his cancer eventually forced him to end his quest after 143 days and 5,373 kilometres (3,339 mi), and ultimately cost him his life, his efforts resulted in a lasting, worldwide legacy. The annual Terry Fox Run, first held in 1981, has grown to involve millions of participants in over 60 countries and is now the world's largest one-day fundraiser for cancer research.

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
2005

Reverse

Depicts Terrance "Terry" Stanley Fox running (left) with a forest in the background, surrounded by the country name and the facial value.

In 1980, Terry Fox began the Marathon of Hope, a cross-country run to raise money for cancer research. He hoped to raise one dollar from each of Canada's 24 million people. He began with little fanfare from St John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, in April and ran the equivalent of a full marathon every day. Fox had become a national star by the time he reached Ontario; he made numerous public appearances with businessmen, athletes, and politicians in his efforts to raise money. He was forced to end his run outside Thunder Bay when the cancer spread to his lungs. His hopes of overcoming the disease and completing his marathon ended when he died nine months later.

Engraver: Stan Witten

CANADA DOLLAR
MARATHON
OF HOPE
SW
TERRY FOX 1958-1981

Edge

1 Dollar

4th portrait

25th Anniversary of Terry Fox's Marathon of Hope

KM# 552 Schön# 613
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Characteristics
Type Commemorative Issue (Circulating)
Material Aureate Bronze Plated Nickel
Weight 7 g
Diameter 26.5 mm
Thickness 1.95 mm
Shape polygon
Sides 11
Alignment Medal
Mint
Royal Canadian Mint (RCM)

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