2012 PROOF SILVER DOLLAR - 200TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE WAR OF 1812

Building unity - the seeds of a nation

For Canadians, the War of 1812 conjures a rich historical moment steeped in both fact and myth, full of heroes, villains, disastrous defeats, and glorious victories. While the conflict did not predestine the emergence of Canada as a nation, outcomes like the sustained sovereignty of British North America and the collaborative experience of resisting American forces would eventually help to feed Canada's transition from British colony to dominion to independent nation.

English and French Canadian colonists and First Nations alike recognized that American invasion threatened their own independence and way of life. They had good reason to fret: the United States continued to expand relentlessly south and westward throughout the nineteenth century.

The war was hard fought on both sides for two more years, over which time some of Canada's proudest moments arose. The hard lessons learned in the War of 1812 further strengthened the physical and economic ties between Upper and Lower Canada, driving greater colonial unity. More viscerally, the conflict spawned shared stories and heroes that represent a common thread in the histories of all of Canada's founding peoples.

Specifications:
Item Number: 116864
Face Value: 1 dollar
Mintage: 40,000
Composition: 99.99% pure silver
Weight (g): 23.17
Diameter (mm): 36.07
Edge: Serrated
Finish: Proof

Special Features:

• New in 2012: Proof Silver dollar struck in 99.99% Fine Silver.
• A unique product rich in tradition and artistry: it is the 53rd issue in the Royal Canadian Mint's flagship silver dollar program.
• Intricate detailing depicting a British sergeant, a Voltigeur Canadien, and an Iroquois warrior in historically accurate uniform approaching the invader with unity of purpose to defend the border and colonies they represent.
• Encircling the design are 200 finely struck beads symbolizing the 200th Anniversary of the War of 1812.
• A highly collectible coin that commemorates the bicentennial of a pivotal moment in Canadian colonial history.
• A beautiful way to preserve, celebrate, and learn about Canadians' rich shared history and the seeds of Canadian unity and identity.
• An iconic depiction of Canadian history and culture that fits beautifully into any historical or international collection.