Canada 2012 8 Coin Proof Set w/ War of 1812 Bicentennial $1 Silver Proof Dollar

The Royal Canadian Mint is releasing a multi-coin program to remember the War of 1812, which was, in effect, a second War of Independence for the nascent United States (that's right, we had to fight for our freedom twice!). For Americans, mention of the War of 1812 conjures up images of the Star Spangled Banner flying over Fort McHenry, frigate duels on the high seas, the burning of Washington, D.C. (and the White House), and Andrew Jackson's smashing victory at the Battle of New Orleans. For Canadians, the war helped begin to establish a national identity, as Native Americans and Canadian militia fought alongside British regulars to repel multiple American incursions into Canada. Commemorate the 200th anniversary of the War of 1812 with this low mintage, silver dollar proof set!

The Mint has released an outstanding program of coins in honor of the bicentennial of the War of 1812, including several numismatic silver dollars. All feature a dynamic, military design. This silver dollar design is available in 3 different varieties, included among these program options:

    •  A Brilliant Uncirculated Pure Silver Dollar in presentation case

    •  A Proof Pure Silver Dollar in presentation case

    •  The low mintage, 8-Coin Silver Dollar Proof Set (with the same proof silver dollar as above)

    •  The even lower mintage 8-Coin Pure Silver Proof Set with special gold-plated War of 1812 silver dollar

    •  The even lower mintage still War of 1812 Coat of Arms $10 Pure Gold Proof

Designed by Ardell Bourgeois, the silver dollar found only in this Proof Set highlights the role of multiple combatants in defending the British colonies in Canada. Superimposed on a map of Upper and Lower Canada in the Eastern Great Lakes region, three soldiers (a sergeant in the British regular army, a Native American Iroquois warrior brave, and a Voltigeur Canadien or militia), all in historically accurate uniforms, guard the border with unity of purpose to defend the colonies they represent.

    One Cent Maple Leaf Penny

    Five Cent Beaver Nickel

    Ten Cent Bluenose Schooner Dime

    Twenty-Five Cent Caribou Quarter

    Fifty Cent Coat of Arms Half Dollar

    One Dollar Common Loon "Loonie"

    Two Dollar Bi-Metal Polar Bear "Toonie"

All of these coins above (including the penny and loonie) are solid metal alloys. Every coin is struck with the Mint's proof finish, with frosted cameo devices and dark, mirrored fields (or background).

Each Silver Dollar Proof Set also includes a pure silver proof dollar! This year the proof set dollar commemorates the bicentennial of the War of 1812. This special silver dollar found in this set is also available singly in both proof and BU versions, available separately.

In the United States, battles such as the Battle of New Orleans of 1815 and the Battle of Baltimore of 1814 (which inspired the lyrics of the United States national anthem, "The Star-Spangled Banner") produced a sense of euphoria over this "Second War of Independence" against Great Britain. It ushered in the "Era of Good Feelings" in which partisan animosity nearly vanished.

For Canadians, the War of 1812 does not figure as large on the national landscape, but still represents a rich historical moment steeped in both fact and myth, complete with heroes and villains, glorious victories and disastrous defeats. 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 colonists, French Canadiens and Native Americans 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 southward and westward throughout the nineteenth century, eventually annexing Hawaii and the Philippines by century's end.

The War of 1812 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 further strengthened the physical and economic ties between Upper and Lower Canada, promoting 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.

Click here for more coins and medals featuring military themes!

Investment Notes
This year the mint has imposed a strict, reduced mintage limit of only 40,000 on the annual Silver Dollar Proof Set, 5,000 less than in 2011! In addition to lowering the mintage limit, the Mint has also decreased the price significantly versus the 2011 Proof Set!

Click here for more great silver dollars!

Superimposed on a map of Upper and Lower Canada in the Eastern Great Lakes region, three soldiers (a sergeant in the British regular army, a Native American Iroquois warrior brave, and a Voltigeur Canadien or militia), all in historically accurate uniforms, guard the border with unity of purpose to defend the colonies they represent. The dual date 1812-2012 commemorates the 200th anniversary of the War of 1812.

The reverse of each coin features Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II of England, in profile facing right. This portrait, the fourth effigy of the queen to appear on Canadian coinage, was executed by the artist Susanna Blunt. The legend ELIZABETH II D. G. REGINA ("Elizabeth II, Queen by the Grace of God") and mint mark also appear.

The coins are sealed a sturdy plastic lens, elegantly presented inside a large, burgundy-leatherette book lined with black velvet and protected by a black outer box. An individually-numbered certificate with full specifications accompanies the set.