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Canadian gold Five Dollar coin, struck at the Ottawa branch of the Royal Mint in 1914. This was the final issue in a short-lived series of gold $5 and $10 coins that were minted in Canada from locally mined gold before the outbreak of the First World War. These highly collectable coins are known for their crowned portrait of the reigning monarch, King George V, and their distinctive coat of arms and maple leaf reverse, designed by British engraver William Henry James Blakemore. Just 31,122 Canadian gold $5s were struck in solid .900 gold in 1914, and many were retained by the Bank of Canada, meaning they can often be found in excellent condition.
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From 1912 to 1914, the Ottawa branch of the Royal Mint struck Canadian Five Dollar gold coins using gold mined in the Klondike and Ontario, transforming the country's growing reserves of precious metal into official currency.
The beautiful reverse design is the work of engraver WHJ Blakemore and shows the Canadian coat of arms, surrounded by a wreath of maple leaves with 'CANADA' above and the date (1914) and 'FIVE DOLLARS' below.
Bertram Mackennal's crowned portrait of King George V is shown on the obverse of this 1914 coin. This elaborate effigy was only used on colonial coinage. The legend reads 'GEORGIVS V DEI GRA: REX ET IND: IMP:'.
Canadian gold Five Dollar coins were originally struck in 8.36 grams of .900 (90%) solid gold. The remaining metal is copper which adds durability and a reddish tone. These $5s were intended as currency, but many did not circulate.
Records indicate that just 31,122 gold Five Dollar coins dated 1914 were struck at the Ottawa branch of the Royal Mint before the outbreak of the First World War. Many were held by the Bank of Canada until they were sold in 2012.
