The mint’s first-ever ultra-high-relief silver dollar (with a mintage of only 5,000) commemorates World War I, “The War to End All Wars”! In 2008 we remember the 90th anniversary of the end of World War I. Major hostilities of the First World War. Were formally ended at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month in 1918, with the German signing of the Armistice. After World War I, fields of poppies flowered on the battlefields of Flanders. November 11th was set aside each year as Veterans Day (originally called Armistice Day), when we pause to remember those who have served in the armed forces, and those who gave their lives in the cause of freedom. Is a most appropriate symbol of remembrance for our honored war dead who made the ultimate sacrifice. When the poet John McCrae wrote the famous words, “In Flanders fields the poppies blow. ” only destiny knew the impact his words would have on the world. In giving a voice to the anguish McCrae must have felt as he witnessed the horrors of war. Also gave voice to the poppy – the humble, scarlet flower that grew to become Canada’s quintessential symbol of remembrance. This was not the first time a link between the poppy. And war had been made. A century earlier, a writer during the Napoleonic wars noted how the battlefields became covered with poppies once the fighting was over. Now with the First World War, the battles that took place in Flanders infused the soil with lime that enabled the poppy to thrive in a landscape of destruction. Nature could not have selected a more fitting symbol to solemnize a soldier’s ultimate sacrifice. For McCrae, the poppy was a life-changing sight. Today, it’s a powerful reminder that inspires thousands of people across Canada and increasingly throughout North America to honor the men and women who have given their lives for freedom. Please see the end of this article for the complete text of the poem. Of Destruction – World War I. (click each to enlarge). “The War to End All Wars” & the Technology of Death. In President Woodrow Wilson’s famous words, the First World War was “the war to end all wars, ” or such was the hope of a ravaged Europe in 1918. Never before in human history had science and technology been harnessed to such an extent in the service of Death. Never before had war been waged simultaneously in the skies, on the earth, and below the waves. Never before had the world seen the ruinous destruction wrought by airplanes, tanks and submarines. Never before had it witnessed the desolation of trench warfare – the deafening artillery fire, sweeping machine guns mowing down rows of soldiers, and lethal poison gases. Over 65 million soldiers from around the world served their countries in battle. Historians estimate that up to 10 million lost their lives, while 20 million others were wounded. Today, as the world pays tribute to the last surviving veterans of this terrible conflict, these significant coins will forever honor the legacy of all who fought for freedom. In 2005 the Royal Canadian Mint introduced their first special edition silver dollar with a mintage of only 5,000, the red-enameled Canada Flag Silver Dollar. The subsequent enameled Medal of Bravery Silver Dollar. Now the mint has released another special edition silver dollar with an equally low mintage. The very first silver dollar ever struck in ultra high relief. So we advise you to act quickly! The Royal Canadian Mint is applying its expertise in the design, engraving and striking of medals and medallic art to this special series of coins. Each will feature a portrait struck in ultra high medallic relief, as illustrated in the original mint image to the left, showing the relief of the plaster model. Each planchet or blank is individually hand-polished before it is quadruple-struck. The edge of the coin is plain, not reeded, unlike most Canadian commemorative and collector coins, in keeping with its medallic nature. Slight differences in the frosted cameo relief and proof-like fields are normal for this high-relief striking process, just as they are with high relief medals. The Royal Canadian Mint refines the purest silver in the world. The RCM is also the only mint in the world to issue commemorative coins in a. This proof silver dollar is 99.99% pure! A poppy flower is set in a field on top of the maple leaf, the symbol of Canada. Below, the legend ARMISTICE and the dual dates 1918. 2008 mark the anniversary, while a banner or ribbon contains the bilingual legend REMEMBER. SOUVENIR. The denomination is also indicated. Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II, in profile facing right. This portrait, the fourth effigy of the queen to appear on Canadian coinage, was executed by the artist Susanna Blunt. The legend ELIZABETH II D. REGINA (“Elizabeth II, Queen by the Grace of God”) also appears. The coin is encapsulated inside an elegant, burgundy leatherette, clamshell-style presentation case lined with black velvet and protected by a black outer box. An individually-numbered certificate of authenticity is included. Frosted Cameo Relief on a Proof-Like Field. 925 Fine (Sterling) Silver. RCM Master Engraver Cosme Saffioti. In Flanders fields the poppies blow Between the crosses, row on row, That mark our place; and in the sky The larks, still bravely singing, fly Scarce heard amid the guns below. We are the Dead. Short days ago We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow, Loved, and were loved, and now we lie In Flanders fields. Take up our quarrel with the foe: To you from failing hands we throw The torch; be yours to hold it high. If ye break faith with us who die We shall not sleep, though poppies grow In Flanders fields. John McCrae Talisman World Coins and Medals has been in business for more than 20 years and is one of the largest world coin direct distributors and wholesalers in the world. The item “Canada 2008 End of World War I 90th Poppy $1 High Relief Silver Proof Dollar” is in sale since Friday, June 06, 2014. This item is in the category “Coins & Paper Money\Coins\ Canada\Commemorative”. The seller is “talismancoins” and is located in Saint Louis, Missouri. This item can be shipped worldwide.
- Circulated/Uncirculated: Uncirculated
- Country/Region of Manufacture: Canada
