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2022 Canada $20 Queen Elizabeth II's Royal Cypher Rhodium Plated Fine Silver (No Tax)
One of the most recognizable symbols of a historic reign, the Royal Cypher of Queen Elizabeth II was the monarch’s identifier, and most Canadians are used to seeing it imprinted in the insignia of orders, decorations, medals and badges. The personal device of Queen Elizabeth II was synonymous with the Crown and served as a symbol of Sovereignty in Canada for 70 years. It has been re-created and forever preserved on this black rhodium plated 99.99% pure silver tribute to Queen Elizabeth II, the keeper of continuity who also advanced the monarchy into the modern age.
Cyphers have been used by British monarchs since the reign of Henry VIII. For her cypher, Queen Elizabeth II favoured a stylized representation of St. Edward’s Crown—the official coronation crown dating from the coronation of King Charles II in 1661—over the Tudor Crown. The Tudor Crown was a more elaborate headpiece used by monarchs from the time of Henry VII or Henry VIII until the English Civil Wars; it was dismantled by the Parliamentarians in 1649 and the crown jewels were sold, but it has endured as an important heraldic symbol.
Named after Saint Edward the Confessor, St. Edward’s Crown was made for the coronation of King Charles II in 1661 and continues to serve as the coronation crown. Its design is based on the original medieval crown that had been melted down by the Parliamentarians in 1649. Due to its hefty weight (2.23 kilograms), St. Edward’s Crown is traditionally carried (not worn) during the coronation procession and remains on the altar until the moment of coronation.
Fully plated with black rhodium, the reverse features the Royal Cypher of Queen Elizabeth II, which combines her initials “E II” (Elizabeth II) with her title initial “R” (for Regina, or “Queen” in Latin) and an image of St. Edward’s Crown. The cypher is framed by shapes resembling the gold beads and clusters of stones that adorn St. Edward’s Crown; the four larger shapes represent the different effigies that have graced Canadian coinage since 1953. Double dated to commemorate Queen Elizabeth II’s historic reign, the tribute obverse is selectively plated with black rhodium; it is marked by a Tudor rose and features the four effigies of Queen Elizabeth II (left to right): the 2003-2022 effigy by Susanna Blunt; the 1990-2002 effigy by Dora de Pédery-Hunt; the 1965-1989 effigy by Arnold Machin; and the 1953-1964 effigy by Mary Gillick.
Specifications:
Item Number: 207694
Mintage: 15,000
Composition: 99.99% pure silver with selective black rhodium plating
Weight: 31.39 g
Diameter: 38 mm
Face Value: $20
Finish: Matte Proof
Edge: Serrated
Artist: RCM Engravers (reverse); Susanna Blunt (2003-2022 effigy), Dora de Pédery-Hunt (1990-2002 effigy), Arnold Machin (1965-1989 effigy) and Mary Gillick (1953-1964 effigy) (obverse)
Special Features:
• The Symbol of a Reign! Crafted in 1 oz. 99.99% pure silver, this collector’s item features Queen Elizabeth II’s Royal Cypher, one of the most recognizable symbols of a historic reign.
• Homage to the Crown. On the coin’s reverse, the royal cypher is framed by shapes resembling the gold beads and clusters of stones that adorn St. Edward’s Crown, the crown used at the moment of coronation. This is the crown that is depicted in Queen Elizabeth II’s cypher.
• Rhodium plated The coin is plated with black rhodium as a symbol of mourning. The only glimpse of silver is on the obverse, where the contrast between the silver effigies and the black rhodium plating keeps the focus on Queen Elizabeth II.
• Special meaning. The four largest shapes represent the different effigies that have appeared on Canadian coinage throughout the reign of Queen Elizabeth II.
• Tribute obvere. Marked by a small Tudor rose, the tribute obverse combines the four different effigies that have graced Canadian coins since Queen Elizabeth II’s coronation in 1953. This obverse is only featured on the collector coins in the Queen Elizabeth II’s Reign collection.
• A nation remembers. Every numismatic coin in the Queen Elizabeth II’s Reign collection comes packaged with a special beauty box.
• A rare keepsake! Mintage is limited to 15,000 coins worldwide.
Packaging:
The coin comes encapsulated and presented in a black clamshell with special graphic beauty box.
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