$5 2012 Fine Silver Coin - Canadian Nursing Georgina Pope

This coin pays tribute to both Canadian nursing and the introduction of women into the Canadian military. The coin features Georgina Pope in the foreground, and, in the background, three military women from the last century whose careers Pope helped to pioneer, including a nurse from the First World War, a member of the Women's Royal Canadian Naval Service from the Second World War, and a female member of Canada's military today. The obverse features the effigy of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. 
 
As one of four volunteer nurses, Georgina Pope was given the rank of lieutenant, to travel to South Africa to assist British troops in the South African War. This appointment was a significant moment in the evolution of women's participation in the Canadian military. For the first time, women acting as nurses were given a military rank as well as the salary attributed to that rank. It is because of Georgina Pope and women like her that today's Canadian Forces, including all branches of the service, are open to women. 

• Composition: 99.99% silver
• Diameter: 36.07 mm
• Weight: 23.17 g
• Face value: 5 dollars
• Artists: Laurie McGaw (reverse); Susanna Blunt (obverse)
• GST/HST exempt

Includes:
• $5 2012 Fine Silver Coin - Canadian Nursing Georgina Pope