The classic struggle of man versus creature appears on the 2014 $5 Saint George Slaying Dragon Silver Coin, the second issue from the Royal Canadian Mint series showcasing vignettes from historic Canadian bank notes.
Struck in 99.99% pure silver, the reverse celebrates Benedetto Pistrucci’s masterpiece of Saint George slaying the dragon, a design that has appeared on British gold sovereigns since 1817. According to the Golden Legend, Saint George came across the dragon terrorizing the countryside and vanquished it.
This latest coin’s design is borrowed from the 1859 Bank of Western Canada’s $5 bank note. Inscribed above the battle scene is 5 DOLLARS. Below it reads CANADA and the year 2014. Obverses bear Susanna Blunt’s effigy of Queen Elizabeth II with surrounding inscriptions of ELIZABETH II and D G REGINA.
Coins of the historical Canadian bank note series each have a mintage cap of 8,500. The very first release borrowed from the seascape-themed vignette from the Canadian Bank of Commerce’s 1888 $20 bank note. It debuted in July with the Mint indicating 84% have sold to date.
Silver Coin Specifications
Specifications for the 2014 $5 Saint George Slaying Dragon Silver Coin include:
- Mintage – 8500
- Composition – 99.99% fine silver
- Finish – proof
- Weight (g) – 23
- Diameter (mm) – 36
- Edge – serrated
- Certificate – serialized
- Face value – 5 dollars
- Artists – Royal Canadian Mint engravers (reverse), Susanna Blunt (obverse)
Price and Ordering Details
This latest 2014 $5 Saint George Slaying Dragon Silver Coin and the first issue in the Canadian bank note series, the 2013 $5 Canadian Bank of Commerce Silver Coin, may be ordered directly from the Royal Canadian Mint at www.mint.ca. Current pricing for each coin is CAD $69.95. For a limited time, orders of $120 or more will ship for free to Canada and the United States.
An affiliate link to more information about the two coins is right here.
Phone orders are accepted by calling the Royal Canadian Mint at 1-800-267-1871 (Canada), 1-800-268-6468 (United States).
Coins arrive encapsulated and presented in a Royal Canadian Mint-branded maroon clamshell case. An illustrated shipping box is also included.
