2012 $50 FINE SILVER COIN 100 YEARS OF THE CALGARY STAMPEDE

The Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth: Celebrating 100 Years of the Calgary Stampede

When the Calgary and District Agricultural Society held its first fair in 1886, organizers were thrilled that 500 of the area’s 2,000 residents came out to view the exhibitions and attractions. At the time, participants could not know that they were sharing in an event that would one day attract more than a million visitors to Calgary, Alberta each year.

From this small fair, the exhibition grew. In 1912, American Guy Weadick (formerly a trick roping performer in a Wild West show) came to Calgary to try to convince local investors to help him build an event that would authentically represent ranching and farming skills and pursuits. He succeeded in convincing four local cattlemen-Pat Burns, George Lane, A. J. MacLean, and A. E. Cross, later known as the 'Big Four'-to invest approximately $100,000. The first Calgary Stampede in 1912 was a success, earning back more than the initial investment and attracting about 100,000 attendees and hundreds of performers and cowboys from across North America.

After various successes and setbacks over the decade that followed, Weadick ultimately merged his event with the Calgary Industrial Exhibition in 1923. This first combined event, the Calgary Exhibition and Stampede, transformed Calgary’s city core with street parties and merriment for six days and saw the introduction of the world’s first chuckwagon races.

With major discoveries of oil in the region in the late 1940s, the city’s growth skyrocketed: the population doubled between 1949 and 1956. In 1968, the event expanded to ten days. By the 1970s, more than a million visitors were passing through the venue’s gates each year. In the 1980s, the venue was expanded to accommodate the 1988 Winter Olympics and the world-famous Saddledome was born.

'And They’re Off!'
Throughout its century-long life, the Calgary Stampede has maintained Weadick’s original focus on Western heritage and the life and skills of ranch and farm. Horses and rodeo sport remain central pillars of the Stampede, which boasts the world’s premier outdoor rodeo facility, chuckwagon races with more than $1 million in prizes, and world-class agricultural attractions and competitions.

The Stampede’s love affair with horses is evident even from its opening parade which, in addition to marching bands and nearly 200 floats, features hundreds of horses. The core of the ten-day Stampede -the rodeo- pays out millions of dollars in prizes to its competitors in saddle bronc and bareback riding, bull riding, steer wrestling, barrel racing, tie- down roping, wild pony racing, novice bareback, junior steer riding, and novice saddle bronc.

The role of horses is so central to the Stampede that, in 1961, officials began to breed and raise Stampede livestock, including bucking horses and bulls, at the 22,000-acre Stampede Ranch in Hanna, Alberta-the first such ranch in North America.

The Calgary Stampede today is a world-renowned event and Canada’s highest-grossing festival. More than one-third of its visitors come from outside of Calgary-including many from the United States, Britain, Asia, and Australia-to witness the event that has, after one hundred years, earned well the name, 'The Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth.'

Bursting with excitement, this 5 oz fine silver proof coin has a denomination of $50 and a diameter of 65 millimeters. Designed by Canadian artist Michelle Grant, it features six- time world champion bucking bronco, Grated Coconut, in full flight, hind legs full extended behind him. Grated Coconut is ridden by a brave bareback cowboy in chaps and cowboy boots, one hand clutching at the reins with only the harness and flying dressings between man and beast. Details like Grated Coconut’s 'CS' shoulder freeze brand and 'G-65' hip brand and the rider’s '1912' competitor number-a reminder of the Stampede’s inception year-come to life amidst a curling frame of intricate leather tooling inspired by the trophy saddle of Flores Ladue, wife of Stampede founder Guy Weadick. The entire image is framed by a raised circle of rope-patterned embossing against a background of pristine polished fine silver. The obverse features the effigy of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II by Susanna Blunt.

Product Specifications:
- Face Value: 50 dollars
- Mintage: 1,500
- Composition: 99.99% fine silver
- Weight(g): 157.60
- Diameter (mm): 65
- Edge: Serrated
- Finish: Proof
- Certificate: Serialized
- Artist: Michelle Grant

Packaging:
- Coin is encapsulated and presented in a Royal Canadian Mint branded black clamshell case lined with flock and protected by a customized design sleeve.

*Customers located in MANITOBA, CANADA!!!! Please be advised that this item is not PST exempt in Manitoba and that the PST must be added to your purchase of this item. Please DO NOT hit pay it now until a revised invoice can be generated and sent to you.