Description

Together, Ensemble ? O Canada!

They?re the lyrics you hear on Canada Day, at a citizenship ceremony, or before the first puck drop at a hockey game. Sung in our two official languages, English and French, O Canada is an invitation for every Canadian to add their voice to a musical expression of pride!

This anthem-themed collectible commemorates the 50th anniversary of the first Official Languages Act (1969), which gave equal status to English and French in Canada ? two languages that represent more than 300 years of shared history.

Its design features two maple leaves ? one for each official language and both clad in red ?against laser-engraved leaves that pull you into the celebration and represent a surge of pride.

But the beauty of this piece lies in the little details, almost invisible to the eye! Take a closer look at the text along the design?s rim: you?ll find the bilingual lyrics to O Canada, presented in the two languages that play a big part in defining who we are.

KEY FEATURES:

• O Canada! Our first coin with text so small, it?s almost not visible. Closer inspection of the rim reveals the lyrics to O Canada in both official languages?English and French.
• Mix of traditional and laser engraving. A circular pattern of laser-engraved maple leaves adds a sense of movement to the design from behind the larger, traditionally engraved elements.

SPECIAL FEATURES:

• A bilingual celebration. A powerful commemorative piece that marks the 50th anniversary of the Official Languages Act, 1969, through the English and French lyrics to O Canada.
• Symbolic colour. The engraved design includes two maple leaves?one for each official language and both tinted in one of Canada?s official colours.
• Taking pride in diversity. This collectible is an affordable addition to any collection and a show of pride for Canada?s linguistic duality. Our two official languages are rooted in our history, and they continue to shape our identity today.

DID YOU KNOW?

Confederation ? specifically, section 133 of the British North American Act, 1867 ? designated English and French as the languages of our legislature and federal courts. But it was the first Official Languages Act that gave the two languages equal status when it came into force on September 7, 1969.

The primary goal of the Official Languages Act was to ensure the Government of Canada provides services and communicates with all Canadians in the official language of their choice ? English or French.

DESIGN

Designed by Joel Kimmel, the selectively coloured reverse is double dated (?1969?-?2019?) to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Official Languages Act of 1969. Two red maple leaves represent Canada?s two official languages, English and French. Throughout the field, a laser-engraved circular pattern of maple leaves pulls the viewer into the design while expressing a surge of pride. From the English version of ?O CANADA? comes the lyric ?WITH GLOWING HEARTS?, which is perpendicular to the French lyric, ?DES PLUS BRILLIANTS EXPLOITS?. Encircling the design are the anthem?s complete lyrics, with the text so small, it?s almost not visible. The reverse includes a bilingual ?50 YEARS ANS? inscription. The obverse features the effigy of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II by Susanna Blunt.