It is the foremost flag of the Crown in Canada, and the personal 

banner of our Head of State. Since its adoption in 1962, Her 

Majesty Queen Elizabeth II’s Personal Canadian Flag has adorned 

countless buildings, ships, aircraft and vehicles during 20 official 

tours. 

The Canada-specific Royal flag is only flown in the presence of 

Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, and it salutes Her Majesty as the 

Queen of Canada. All heraldic elements have been preserved but 

redrawn to add movement to the flag, with vivid colors that hint 

at a shining pride. 

A fresh, new take on the lion and unicorn supporters of the Arms 

of Canada completes the meticulously sculpted design. It is a 

striking reminder of the enduring connection between Canadians 

and Her Majesty, who, for over six decades, has dutifully 

embodied the Canadian state. Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II’s 

Personal Canadian Flag’s first appearance on a coin. 

Designed by Cathy Bursey-Sabourin, your coin features a 

colored rendering of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II’s 

Personal Canadian Flag. It is depicted in motion, with 

slightly lighter colors to simulate the effect of sunlight 

shining through the flag material. 

The Royal flag consists of the escutcheon of the Arms of 

Canada in banner form, surmounted by Her Majesty’s 

device: a blue roundel with the letter “E” surmounted by 

the Royal 

Crown and framed by a gold wreath of Tudor roses. 

Along with a decorative scroll, the lion and unicorn 

supporters of the Arms are inspired by the stone-carved 

façade of Rideau Hall in Ottawa, Ontario, and the bronze 

door plates that adorn The Queen’s Entrance at the 

official residence of the Governor General of Canada. 

The obverse features a concentric pattern of maple 

leaves and the effigy of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II 

by Susanna Blunt.

“The lion and unicorn are based on the depiction of 

the Royal arms on the front façade of Rideau Hall. They 

are also sculpted in bronze as decorative plates that 

adorn the new formal entrance doors, which, on the 

occasion of  Canada’s 150th anniversary, were officially 

opened and designated The Queen’s Entrance.” Cathy 

Bursey-Sabourin, The Artist 

“The layout of the design tells an interesting story. I 

love the angle the artist took, by combining the flag 

with heraldic elements that are also inspired by 

architecture details. It’s a fresh take that stays true to 

the original.” 

Libby Sim, Product Manager, Royal Canadian Mint