Canada's single-most storied coin! Get this stunning, low mintage proof silver dollar with the historic 1911 Pattern Dollar design now!

In Stock and Ready for Immediate Shipment!

SOLD OUT at the Royal Canadian Mint!

The 1911 Pattern Silver Dollar is the single most storied coin in Canadian history! It's known as the "Emperor of Canadian Coinage", with only three known examples - two struck in silver, and one in lead. Of these three coins, only one silver exemplar is in private hands. Technically a pattern, and never officially approved for or released into circulation, it would be another 24 years before Canada's first circulating silver dollar would be issued, with the famed Voyageurs design. It is next-to-impossible to own an original 1911 Pattern Dollar, but thanks to the Royal Canadian Mint, one can now acquire the next-best thing - add this low-mintage, coin-on-coin retro design silver dollar (that exactly replicates the original design of the 1911 pattern silver dollar) to your collection today!

Please note that last year's special edition silver dollar, the 1935 Voyageurs Dollar 75th Anniversary Silver $1, sold out quickly at the Mint. And now this 1911 Pattern Silver Dollar Proof has also sold out quickly!

Canada's Rarest Numismatic Delicacy!
In late 1911, the Ottawa Branch of the Royal Mint struck a trial one dollar coin in lead. Two more were struck in silver at the Royal Mint in London, England. These three coins are among the rarest Canadian coins. The lead trial coin and one of the silver coins are now housed in the Currency Museum of the Bank of Canada in Ottawa; the other silver specimen is privately owned.

How did these rarities come about? The Currency Act of 1910 authorized the Ottawa Branch of the Royal Mint to strike one dollar silver pieces, which it planned to do in 1911. However, as often occurs, a change in government in 1911 brought a change in policy, and so the Minister of Finance stated that the new government was shelving plans to create a Canadian silver dollar. As a result of these exceptional events, the 1911 dollars became one of Canada’s rarest coins. The only 1911 silver dollar in private hands sold for over $1 million in 1998, becoming the first Canadian coin ever to realize such a lofty price!

And what of that lead trial or pattern dollar? The story behind the lead example is even more mysterious. The lead piece was reportedly discovered in late 1977, during preparations for the move of a part of the Department of Supply and Services out of the East Block of the Parliament buildings in Ottawa. The lead trial had apparently been sent to officials of the Department of Finance for examination and had lain there, unknown and unappreciated, for more than 65 years, inside a small brown paper bag!

Canada's "Godless" Coinage
The Currency Act of 1910 authorized the Ottawa Branch of the Royal Mint to strike one dollar silver pieces, which it planned to do in 1911. However, in May 1910, King Edward VII passed away, which sparked a fascinating sequence of events in the history of Canadian coinage. After King George V was crowned, a race ensued to ensure that his effigy would appear on coinage across the Empire, in time for the issuing of 1911 coinage. Since most of the master tooling had to be made at the Royal Mint in London and shipped to Britain’s Dominions and colonies, the engravers at the Royal Mint were under a great deal of pressure. As a result, creating the master tooling for the existing denominations (as opposed to the yet-to-be-introduced silver dollar) was made the priority, and the silver dollar was put on hold.

In early March, the Royal Mint requested that the Department of Finance choose one of two new obverses: one in Latin, the other in English. Finance Minister William Fielding chose the Latin, but failed to notice that the die lacked the requisite Dei Gra[tia] ("By the Grace of God") inscription or legend. Midyear 1911, the tooling arrived in Ottawa, where officials finally noticed the omission. But, by then it was too late to request new tooling because reserves of 1910 coinage were running out; requiring the new 1911 coins lacking the correct inscription be put into circulation. This meant that in 1911 Canada had what came to be called "Godless" coinage.

This proof silver dollar features the classic Pattern of 1911 design and commemorates the 100th Anniversary of the very first Canadian silver dollar in 1911. The famous 1911 Pattern Dollar, the most famous of all Canadian numismatic rarities, has been exquisitely recreated on this legal tender, proof-finish Canadian silver dollar. There are only two items in this program:

    1911 Pattern Dollar 100th Anniversary Proof Silver $1
    1911 Pattern Dollar 100th Anniversary 6-Coin Silver Proof Set

Investment Note
Previous low-mintage Canadian proof silver dollars have consistently sold out quickly at the Mint and increased in value. This release, with its extremely significant design and low mintage, does not seem like it will be the exception. All silver dollar collectors need this coin. We are recommending this silver dollar as a strong buy and hold.

Obverse
A duplication of the original Pattern Dollar of 1911 design, with crown and maple leaves. The dual date 1911-2011 commemorates the centennial or centenary of the original pattern dollar. The denomination is also indicated.

Reverse
A frosted cameo portrait of His Majesty, King George V of England, in profile facing right. This portrait was executed by the artist, sculptor and designer Percy Metcalfe. The legend GEORGIVS V DEI GRA: REX ET IND: IMP: (“George V, King and Emperor of India by the Grace of God”) replicates the design of the original, 1911 Pattern dollar.

Packaging
The coin is encapsulated inside a 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.

Specifications