Your coin’s reverse features an artistic representation of the front cross pattée from the centuries-old St. Edward’s Crown, the coronation crown and the centrepiece of the British Crown Jewels. Bordered by a row of beads inspired by the crown, the gold-plated embellishment is studded with coloured glass stones that stand in for some of the coronation crown’s many gemstones. The coin’s obverse features the effigy of Queen Elizabeth II by Susanna Blunt. The obverse also bears a special marking that includes four pearls symbolizing the four effigies that have graced Canadian coins and the double date of her reign.

St. Edward's Crown

The most hallowed of all the British Crown Jewels and royal regalia, the St. Edward’s Crown is only used on the monarch’s coronation day. It was commissioned for the coronation of King Charles II in 1661 as a replacement for the original crown, which dated back to King Edward the Confessor (hence the name) but was melted down by parliamentarians in 1649. The “new” St. Edward’s Crown is composed of a solid gold frame set with 444 precious and semi-precious stones, including amethysts, aquamarines, garnet, peridot, rubies, topazes, tourmalines and sapphires. Similar to the medieval crown that inspired its design, the St. Edward’s Crown is distinguished by four crosses pattée (like the one featured on your coin), four fleurs-de-lis and gold bead-adorned arches that surround the ermine-trimmed velvet cap.