2017 $100 Fine Silver Coin - Vimy Ridge
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Product Overview
Vimy Ridge was a defining moment for Canada. For the first time in history, the four divisions of the Canadian Corps had come together and fought side-by-side as one, giving way to a surging sense of national identity on the battlefield and at home. The impressive victory over German forces is often cited as the beginning of Canada’s evolution from dominion to independent nation.
This extremely large ten ounce fine silver coin commemorates the centennial of this pivotal chapter in Canada's history through an exceptional reproduction of a battle painting by Canada's first official war artist. In addition to its historical importance, this coin is a high quality collectible, with an extremely low mintage of just 750 coins. As a pure silver coin issued by the Royal Canadian Mint, this item is GST/HST exempt.
The design features a highly detailed and engraved recreation of the large-sized oil painting, "The Taking of Vimy Ridge, Easter Monday, 1917." The coin’s large diameter (76 mm) is the perfect canvas for such a detailed reproduction of this unforgettable work by Canada's first official war artist, Richard Jack. By focusing on a Canadian battery, the design captures the intensity of the heavy shelling directed towards enemy positions on Vimy Ridge, which forms the raised horizon in the background. The crew of the 18-pounder field gun work tirelessly and in unison as they pass shells to keep up the barrage—a fitting depiction of Canada's troops coming together to fight as one. Engraved overhead is the word "Canada" above the commemoratives dates "1917-2017," while the face value "100 dollars" is engraved beneath the soldiers' feet. The obverse features the effigy of King George V by Sir Edward B. MacKennal, as used on Canadian coins in the First World War period.
About Vimy Ridge
Vimy Ridge, France was the location of one of the most significant battles of World War I. It was taken and held by Canadian troops from April 9th to 12th, 1917. The bravery and sacrifice of the men will always be remembered. The victory came at a terrible cost with ten thousand Canadians dead or wounded on the 9th—the worst day's losses for Canada in the war.
The battle of Vimy Ridge marks a significant turning point in Canadian history, where the four Canadian divisions fought together as a unified fighting force for the first time. The impressive victory over German forces is often cited as the beginning of Canada's evolution from dominion to independent nation.
By 1917, Canadians had been fighting for two years. The raw soldiers that held the Germans off at Ypres in April 1915 now were experienced soldiers. But the key to the success at Vimy came when Byng sent General Arthur Currie of the First Canadian Division to study the methods of the French. The Canadians would carefully plan and rehearse their attack. When more than 15,000 Canadian Infantrymen went over the top at 5:30 a.m on Easter Monday, they attacked in snow and sleet, the wind driving into the enemy lines. Their attack began with an artillery barrage, in order to keep the German forces in their dugouts, and away from their machine-guns. Incredible bravery and discipline allowed the infantry to continue moving forward under heavy fire. There were countless acts of sacrifice, as Canadians single-handedly charged machine-gun nests or forced the surrender of Germans in protective dugouts. Hill 145, the highest and most important feature of the Ridge, and where the Vimy monument now stands, was captured in a frontal bayonet charge against machine-gun positions. Three more days of costly battle delivered final victory. Stunned by the Canadians' success, the Germans retreated.
• Mintage is limited to just 750 pieces
• GST/HST exempt
• Weighs ten ounces in fine silver
• Measures 76.25 mm in diameter
Includes:
• 2017 $100 Fine Silver Coin - Vimy Ridge
This extremely large ten ounce fine silver coin commemorates the centennial of this pivotal chapter in Canada's history through an exceptional reproduction of a battle painting by Canada's first official war artist. In addition to its historical importance, this coin is a high quality collectible, with an extremely low mintage of just 750 coins. As a pure silver coin issued by the Royal Canadian Mint, this item is GST/HST exempt.
The design features a highly detailed and engraved recreation of the large-sized oil painting, "The Taking of Vimy Ridge, Easter Monday, 1917." The coin’s large diameter (76 mm) is the perfect canvas for such a detailed reproduction of this unforgettable work by Canada's first official war artist, Richard Jack. By focusing on a Canadian battery, the design captures the intensity of the heavy shelling directed towards enemy positions on Vimy Ridge, which forms the raised horizon in the background. The crew of the 18-pounder field gun work tirelessly and in unison as they pass shells to keep up the barrage—a fitting depiction of Canada's troops coming together to fight as one. Engraved overhead is the word "Canada" above the commemoratives dates "1917-2017," while the face value "100 dollars" is engraved beneath the soldiers' feet. The obverse features the effigy of King George V by Sir Edward B. MacKennal, as used on Canadian coins in the First World War period.
About Vimy Ridge
Vimy Ridge, France was the location of one of the most significant battles of World War I. It was taken and held by Canadian troops from April 9th to 12th, 1917. The bravery and sacrifice of the men will always be remembered. The victory came at a terrible cost with ten thousand Canadians dead or wounded on the 9th—the worst day's losses for Canada in the war.
The battle of Vimy Ridge marks a significant turning point in Canadian history, where the four Canadian divisions fought together as a unified fighting force for the first time. The impressive victory over German forces is often cited as the beginning of Canada's evolution from dominion to independent nation.
By 1917, Canadians had been fighting for two years. The raw soldiers that held the Germans off at Ypres in April 1915 now were experienced soldiers. But the key to the success at Vimy came when Byng sent General Arthur Currie of the First Canadian Division to study the methods of the French. The Canadians would carefully plan and rehearse their attack. When more than 15,000 Canadian Infantrymen went over the top at 5:30 a.m on Easter Monday, they attacked in snow and sleet, the wind driving into the enemy lines. Their attack began with an artillery barrage, in order to keep the German forces in their dugouts, and away from their machine-guns. Incredible bravery and discipline allowed the infantry to continue moving forward under heavy fire. There were countless acts of sacrifice, as Canadians single-handedly charged machine-gun nests or forced the surrender of Germans in protective dugouts. Hill 145, the highest and most important feature of the Ridge, and where the Vimy monument now stands, was captured in a frontal bayonet charge against machine-gun positions. Three more days of costly battle delivered final victory. Stunned by the Canadians' success, the Germans retreated.
• Mintage is limited to just 750 pieces
• GST/HST exempt
• Weighs ten ounces in fine silver
• Measures 76.25 mm in diameter
Includes:
• 2017 $100 Fine Silver Coin - Vimy Ridge
