Canada 50 Cents Gold Coin 2008 De Havilland Canada Beaver
Commemorative issue: Small Gold Coins - 1/25th oz. Gold Coin Series
Obverse: Effigy of Queen Elizabeth II facing right.
Lettering: ELIZABETH II 50 cents 2008
Engraver: Susanna Blunt
Reverse: DHC-2 Beaver float plane landing
Lettering: CANADA 9999 FINE GOLD 1/25 OZ OR PUR
Engraver: Peter Mossman
Edge: Serrated
The final coin in the series of the smallest pure gold coins ever produced by the Mint salutes Canada's rugged and legendary Beaver.
The De Havilland Canada Beaver bush plane was introduced shortly after World War II to fly in extreme northern climates. With an all-metal construction, high-lift wing and flap configuration, it was capable of short takeoffs and landings, even with heavy loads.
Besides flying passengers and cargo, the Beaver was also used for dusting crops and providing training, courier and ambulance services for the military. During Sir Edmund Hillary's expedition to the South Pole, only a Beaver was reliable enough to provide essential support in such extreme conditions.
In just two short decades almost 1,700 Beavers were built, making it the most produced Canadian-designed aircraft ever. To this day, many of these legendary planes can still be seen in remote skies around the world. The Beaver prototype is on proud display at the Canada Aviation Museum in Ottawa (Ontario).
