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On January 2, 1908 the regal-looking building east of the Parliament Buildings in Ottawa (Ontario) was the scene of much pomp and pageantry. On hand were the elite from Canada's financial and political circles.
History was made when Governor General Earl Grey struck the nation's first domestically-produced coin: a 50-cent piece. A few moments later, the first bronze cent was struck by Lady Grey.
For a young Canada, the opening of the Ottawa Branch for London's Royal Mint was a confident step forward, even if control over its coin designs and tools remained overseas. This began to change in 1931 when the Mint was transferred to the federal government and by 1937, the first "all-Canadian" coin designs were circulating.
By then, the Royal Canadian Mint was a renowned industry leader, minting coins and refining precious metals for clients around the world; its success propelling the establishment of the Mint as a Crown Corporation in 1969.
From the beginning, innovation has been the hallmark of the Mint with a revolutionary coin plating process, purest 99.999% numismatic gold coin and coloured circulation coin just a few of its internationally-renowned "firsts".
In 1979, a new state-of-the-art facility in Winnpeg (Manitoba) took the automated production of circulation coins to new heights while the Ottawa (Ontario) location continued to focus on bullion (investment) and numismatic (collector) coins as well as refining/assaying services.
Today, 100 years after its official opening, people still flock to the heritage building on the Sussex Drive as well as the Winnipeg facility to see the captivation process of transforming metal into coins.
This 50 Dollar coin is certified to be 99.99% pure silver with a weight of 5 ounces and a diameter of 65 millimeters. Mintage 4000