World Coins

Canada plans circulating 25-cent, $2 coins honoring ‘In Flanders Fields’ author

Lt. Col. John McCrae was a Canadian officer during World War I when he authored what has become the signature verse affiliated with World War I, “In Flanders Fields.”

Public domain image.

The author of the famous World War I poem “In Flanders Fields” is slated to be honored on 2015 circulating commemorative 25-cent and $2 coins from Canada.

RELATED: The Poppies glow in Flanders Fields (and on Canadian coins, too)

The Royal Canadian Mint has received government approval to issue the coins honoring Lt. Col. John McCrae. Descriptions here are taken from the RCM’s image narratives.

Each of a pair of 25-cent coins will show a large poppy in the foreground, surrounded by smaller poppies in the background, with the artist’s initials, TB, to the left of the design, and the inscriptions CANADA at the top of the coin and REMEMBER•SOUVENIR in a banner at the bottom of the coin. The RCM has not disclosed the names of the artists.

One version will be standard and the other will feature red coloring on the poppies

For the $2 coin, Lt. Col. McCrae will be shown on the reverse, writing “In Flanders Fields,” on a battlefield, surrounded by birds, crosses and poppies, with an artist’s initials, GL to the left of the design, and two security marks described as virtual images of a maple leaf between two lines at the top of the coin and two lasermark maple leaves, each within a circle, at the bottom of the coin, with the inscriptions REMEMBER, 2015 and SOUVENIR.

The virtual image is produced by engraving different patterns on each side of two-sided grooves on the face of the coin.

RELATED: Red-letter days for collectors of colorful circulating coins

The Susanna Blunt effigy of Queen Elizabeth II will appear on the obverse of each of the three coins.

No release date or mintage information is yet available.

Canada issues many circulating commemorative coins. Coin World reports on them all!

Canada celebrates its flag on circulating commemorative 25-cent coin

Famous wartime photograph now on circulating $2 coin in Canada

Canada celebrates military victories of 'Hero of Chateauguay'

New Canadian $2 coin commemorates defeat of U.S. vessel

More from CoinWorld.com:

U.S. standard .900 silver alloy in coins may change under legislation

U.S. Mint temporarily suspends sales July 7 of American Eagle silver bullion coins

Mint releases technical details for 2015-W American Liberty, High Relief gold coin

Government seeks 1933 gold double eagle rehearing involving coins from 'the family of a thief'

U.S. Mint reports 2015 Truman Coin and Chronicles Set sold out within 15 minutes

Keep up with all of CoinWorld.com's news and insights by signing up for our free eNewslettersliking us on Facebook, and following us on Twitter. We're also on Instagram!


Community Comments