Canada: Forget-Me-Not 1 oz Silver 2019 Proof
Canada: Forget-Me-Not 1 oz Silver 2019 Proof is a poignant collector coin commemorating the sacrifices made by the people of Newfoundland and Labrador during the First World War. This issue refers to the local tradition of wearing the forget-me-not on July 1 as a symbol of the promise to remember the "lost generation," much like the red poppy worn in Canada on November 11.
The coin is struck from 99.99% pure silver, with a weight of 1 troy ounce (31.39 g) and a diameter of 38 mm, in Proof quality. It has a face value of 20 Canadian dollars and legal tender status. The mintage is strictly limited to 5,000 pieces, underscoring its distinctly collectible character.
The coin’s design pays tribute to the thousands of soldiers who fought under the banner of the Dominion of Newfoundland, including at the Battle of Beaumont-Hamel in France—one of the most significant and tragic symbols of wartime sacrifice for the region. The use of varied engraving techniques lends the composition depth, dynamism, and a strong emotional impact.
The reverse design is by Derek C. Wicks, who masterfully combines floral, landscape, and symbolic elements. Forget-me-nots form a visual stream of remembrance, entwining the province’s rugged coastline and highlighting the bond between the land, its history, and the sacrifice of its people.
The coin is offered in the original Royal Canadian Mint case along with a certificate of authenticity. It is an exceptional choice for collectors of historical and military-themed coins and for those interested in the heritage of Canada and its regions.
Obverse features the effigy of Queen Elizabeth II by Susanna Blunt. The background is filled with a laser-engraved forget-me-not pattern that subtly complements the monarch’s portrait and thematically echoes the reverse.
Reverse depicts a trail of forget-me-nots symbolizing remembrance and mourning, flowing from the heart of the province toward its rocky coastline. At the center is a deer (caribou)—the historic symbol of the Royal Newfoundland Regiment—standing on a rock above the Atlantic and facing east toward the battlefields of Beaumont-Hamel. Altogether, it forms a moving visual tribute to courage, sacrifice, and the memory of the fallen.