Numismatic tribute to the monarchy: The Canadian Mint introduced a dollar with the image of the king

The Royal Canadian Mint recently unveiled a new circulation coin featuring the profile of King Charles III.

Canada has a rich history of depicting reigning monarchs on its currency, a tradition dating back to the era of colonial rule. Over the years, the Royal Canadian Mint has honored the heads of the British monarchy. With the accession to the throne of King Charles III, the Mint commemorated this event by creating a circulation coin.

The King Charles III coin displays symbolic design elements. The obverse shows the profile of the monarch. The reverse side is decorated with iconic Canadian symbols, creating a harmonious combination of tradition and national identity. The denomination of the new circulation coin is 1 Canadian dollar.

In keeping with long-standing tradition, the king's profile is turned to the left, the opposite of the direction his late mother, Queen Elizabeth II, faced. This change of direction should distinguish the reign of one monarch from that of his successor. The description around the image of the king also varies from "Regina" meaning "queen" in Latin to "Rex" meaning "king". Another innovation - the artist's initials also appeared on the obverse.

The decision to mint coins with the image of the king was not without controversy. Some Canadians argue that the monarchy is an outdated institution and that the country should move toward an independent national identity. On the other hand, the supporters of the tradition are inclined to necessarily recall the historical path of Canada and the strong ties that bind it to Great Britain.

Although Canada is not required to feature a monarch on its money, it is a tradition that dates back to 1908, when the country's mint began issuing coins during the reign of King Edward VII.

Canada is not the only country whose currency features members of the British monarchy. Several Commonwealth countries, including Australia and New Zealand, also depict a reigning monarch. This shared practice reflects a global recognition of historical and cultural ties.

Source: ctvnews.ca