On November 28, 2012, the Royal Canadian Mint announced their offering to the public an opportunity to purchase part of a collection of Canada’s first gold coins. The $5 and $10 gold coins were produced in 1912, 1913, and 1914 and had been stored at the Bank of Canada for over 75 years. The highest quality 30,000 examples were offered for sale across multiple product options, while the remaining quantity of approximately 215,000 coins were to be melted.

“The 1912-14 $5 and $10 Canadian gold coins are at the source of the Royal Canadian Mint’s reputation as a world-class refiner and producer of gold coins and we are delighted that these pieces of our history are back in the spotlight after a nearly century-long absence,” said Ian E. Bennett, President and CEO of the Royal Canadian Mint. “By creating this unique opportunity to purchase Canada’s first gold coins proudly displaying national emblems, the Mint is excited to share these important artifacts with Canadians and collectors world-wide with the help of the Bank of Canada and the Department of Finance.”

The obverse designs of the coins feature the effigy of King George V, Canada’s Sovereign at the time. He appears wearing coronation robes and the Imperial State Crown. The reverse design features a shield bearing the Arms of the Dominion of Canada: Ontario, Quebec, Nova Scotia, and New Brunswick. Maple branches encircle the shield with the inscription “CANADA” above and the date and denomination below.

Each $5 Gold Coin is struck in 90% gold and 10% copper with a weight of 8.26 grams and diameter of 21.59 mm. These coins contain a net weight of 0.2419 troy ounces of gold. The $10 Gold Coins are struck in 90% gold and 10% copper with a weight of 16.72 grams and diameter of 26.2 mm. The coins have a net weight of 0.4838 troy ounces of gold.

For collector sales, the Royal Canadian Mint separated the 30,000 coins to be sold into classifications of either “Premium Hand Selected” or “Hand Selected”. A disclaimer concerning these classifications reads: As the Royal Canadian Mint does not grade any of its products, the use of the expression “Hand-Selected” and/or “Premium Hand-Selected” as used herein does not imply any form of coin grade, or suggestion thereof, derived from current numismatic grading standards, or other form of grading systems.

Coins were offered in these classifications in individual or set options. The original number of coins available by option is summarized below:

Premium Hand-Selected 6-Coin Set (140 sets)

Premium Hand-Selected 1912, 1913 and 1914 $5 single gold coins

(291 coins)

(291 coins) Premium Hand-Selected 1913 and 1914 $10 single gold coins (4,869 coins)

Hand-Selected 1912, 1913 and 1914 $5 single gold coins

(5,050 coins)

(5,050 coins) Hand-Selected 1912, 1913 and 1914 $10 single gold coins

(18,950 coins)

At this time, all of the individual options for the premium hand selected and hand selected $5 gold coins have sold out. The hand selected 1912 $10 gold coins have also sold out.

This means the only remaining options are for the hand selected and premium hand selected 1913 and 1914 $10 gold coins and hand selected 1914 $10 gold coins. The premium hand selected 6-coin set is also available.

As mentioned, a quantity of approximately 215,000 remaining gold coins are destined to be melted. These coins have imperfections from handling or environmental conditions and will be melted and refined into 99.99% pure gold to liquidate the balance of the holdings.

Visit www.mint.ca/1912gold for addition information or to place orders.



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