COINS FOR THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE CANADIAN FLAG

The Royal Canadian Mint have launched three new coins which celebrate and pays tribute to one of this North American country’s most treasured symbols of nationhood, that of the Canadian Flag. For many, no other symbol is as synonymous with Canada as its distinctive red-and-white flag.

As the National Flag of Canada celebrates its 50th anniversary, the nation and its people pay tribute to a beloved national symbol by proudly observing the anniversary of its official adoption. Prior to the adoption of the now iconic “Maple leaf” banner, Canada had utilized a flag with a red field along with a representation of Britain’s “Union Jack” positioned to the upper left corner and Canada’s coat of arms or, crest placed to the right of the union jack and centered. This design was adopted in 1868, shortly after Canadian Confederation and continued use, albeit with minor changes to the coat of arms, until the adoption of the recognizable maple leaf flag the world has come to associate with Canada.

The adoption of a distinct, national flag was proposed as far back as the late nineteenth century, but to no avail—that is, until the idea was raised again in 1964 by the then-Prime Minister Lester B. Pearson. After much divisive debate, the design, which was created by George Stanley and inspired by the flag of the Royal Military College of Canada (RMC) in Kingston, Ontario, was finally and officially approved by a majority of Parliament on the 15th December 1964. Elizabeth II, Queen of Canada, proclaimed the new flag on the 28th January 1965 and it was inaugurated on the 15th February the same year at an official ceremony held on Parliament Hill in the presence of Governor General, the Prime Minister, other members of the Cabinet, and Canadian parliamentarians. At the stroke of noon, the Red Ensign was lowered for the last time and the new maple leaf flag was raised. The crowd sang the national anthem “O Canada” followed by “God Save the Queen.”

Great coins, and I do like the coloring, which is appropriate for the design and not at all gratuitous. The Maple Leaf design has been the Canadian flag I've known all my life. I didn't know they had another one! Chip clued me in. Here's the Canada Red Ensign Flag of 1957-1965. -Editor

To read the complete article, see:
New Coins Celebrate 50th Anniversary of the Canadian Flag (http://news.coinupdate.com/new-coins-celebrate-fiftieth-anniversary-of-the-canadian-flag-4668/)

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