The R.C.M. is minting high relief proof coins form Queen Victoria to Queen Elizabeth II.

Royal Canadian Mint Vignettes of Royalty

If you are not frequent purchaser of coins from the Royal Canadian Mint (I am a Master Club Member) you may have not heard of the R.C.M. Vignettes of Royalty coins.

The minting is $15 silver proof high relief, ultra cameo like the current 2009 $20 U.S. Mint high relief gold coin. The main differences are that Vignettes of Royalty commenced in 2008 with the Queen Victoria and King Edward VII. The intent was to mint two coins every year until the collection is completed with Queen Elizabeth II. This has not has gone a smoothly as the R.C.M. had hoped. As those that know this high relief proofs the dies wear very quickly compared to standard ultra cameo proofs. Furthermore the planchets and minted coins must be closely monitored to ensure a high quality product. So, the need to replace the dies more frequently that at first planned has slowed production down a bit, but the end product is stunning.

The quality of the coins is outstanding, and as far as I can tell you can purchase either by two complete sets with the complete sets having priority over individuals attempting to purchase just a single coin. This is mainly to do with the limited number of Ten Thousand copies of each coin being minted. The complete sets are also supplied with a handsome storage case.

For those whom do not know the King and Queen of England in order from the starting Monarch of this collection it begins with Queen Victoria, King Edward VII, King George V, King George VI and Queen Elizabeth II.

As far as I know complete sets and individual coins are available, but that could change very soon as I suspect it will. I am sure the entire mintage will sell out, especially when more Numismatists are made aware of this spectacular series.

For those of you wondering the specifications of the coins are 92.5% silver, 7.5% copper the weight is 30 grams and edge is plain. The Effigy of each coin is designed by different artist. I highly recommend this set and of course the R.C.M. stands behind each coin they sell and in my experience they want one hundred percent satisfaction. For those of you interested the web site for the R.C.M. is www.mint.ca.

Respectfully,

Jason R. F. von Dinger dem Baden