Canada 20 Dollars Silver Coin 2016 Aircraft of First World War
Planes were still a rare sight in the sky when the world was plunged into war in 1914. The “flying machines” seemed to have little use, but the ever-evolving tactics of war quickly propelled them from rickety canvas-over-wood reconnaissance planes to full-fledged aerial combat weapons that engaged in spectacular dogfights.
This exciting new coin series features three of the most successful Allied fighter planes of the First World War, beginning with the British-built Royal Aircraft Factory S.E. 5a. Introduced in 1917, this biplane was on the front lines of innovation. It could fly up to 222 km/h and remain airborne for more than two hours, two factors that enabled the Allies to regain and maintain air superiority until the war’s end in 1918.
Although Canada did not have its own air force, thousands of Canadians enlisted as aircrew personnel in the United Kingdom’s Royal Naval Air Service (RNAS) or the Royal Flying Corps (RFC), with some of them undoubtedly taking to the air in Royal Aircraft Factory S.E. 5a planes.
Aircraft of First World War:
Coin 1: Royal Aircraft Factory S.E.5a
Coin 2: Sopwith Triplane
Coin 3: Curtiss H-12
First coin design, the Royal Aircraft Factory S.E.5a:
Designed by Canadian artist David A. Oram, the first coin in your subscription features a richly detailed, engraved depiction of an airfield where a squadron prepares for takeoff. A Crossley Light Tender 20/25 truck is parked behind five Royal Aircraft Factory S.E.5a aircraft, which have lined up in front of several Bessonneau hangars; the foremost plane is particularly striking thanks to the use of selective colour, which recreates the biplane fighter’s dark green colour, as well as the blue, white and red roundel and tail cockade that identified the aircraft of the Royal Flying Corps. Seated in the open cockpit, a Canadian pilot wears the leather flying coat, helmet and goggles that offer him some protection from the wind and cold temperatures at higher altitudes. The reverse boasts an impressive amount of detail in its rendition of the wire-braced box girder, and close examination offers a glimpse of the fuselage-mounted .303 Vickers gun and the MK-II Lewis machine gun on the upper wing, which helped make this aircraft one of the most successful Allied fighter planes of the First World War.
Mintage: 7500.
Composition: 99.99% pure silver.
Finish: proof.
Weight: 31.83 g.
Diameter: 40 mm.
Edge: serrated.
Face value: 20 Canadian Dollars.
Artist David A. Oram (reverse), Susanna Blunt (obverse).
Sure to be treasured by collectors and aviation enthusiasts for its artistic merit and historical theme, this striking coin is also a deeply meaningful gift for those whose loved ones proudly served their country.
Produced By: Royal Canadian Mint.