Ten-dollar coin (Canada) facts for kids
| Canada | |
| Value | 10 CAD |
|---|---|
| Mass | 16.72 g |
| Diameter | 26.92 mm |
| Thickness | 2.08 mm |
| Edge | Reeded |
| Orientation | Medal alignment |
| Composition | 90% Au, 10% Cu |
| Years of minting | 1912–1914 |
| Obverse | |
| Design | King George V |
| Designer | Bertram Mackennal |
| Reverse | |
| Design | Shield from the Canadian coat of arms |
| Designer | W.H.J. Blakemore |
The ten-dollar gold piece was a special Canadian coin. It was made from 1912 to 1914. This coin was mostly gold (90%) with a little bit of copper (10%). It was used for buying and selling things back then.
Contents
The Story of the Gold Coin
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In 1910, a law called the Currency Act was passed. This law allowed Canada to make its own gold coins. These coins could be worth $2.50, $5, $10, and $20. However, the Royal Canadian Mint in Ottawa only made $5 and $10 gold coins. The very first test coins were made in 1911.
Where the Gold Came From
The gold for the coins made in 1912 came from the Klondike region. This area is famous for its gold rush. For the coins made in 1913 and 1914, the gold came from mines in Ontario.
Why Production Stopped
Making these gold coins stopped in 1914. This happened because World War I began. After the war, in 1926, Canadian money could again be exchanged for gold. There were plans to make new $5 and $10 gold coins. The design for the Canadian coat of arms on the coin was even updated. But in the end, no more gold coins were made for people to use.
How Many Coins Were Made
Here is a look at how many of these $10 gold coins were made each year:
| Year | Number Made |
|---|---|
| 1912 | 74,759 |
| 1913 | 149,232 |
| 1914 | 140,068 |
Selling Old Gold Coins
For many years, over 245,000 of these $5 and $10 gold coins were kept safe. They were stored by the Bank of Canada. Then, in 2012, the bank decided to sell some of them. About 30,000 coins were offered to the public. These coins were in "About Uncirculated" condition, which means they looked almost new. The rest of the coins were planned to be melted down.
When the sale was announced, the head of the Bank of Canada, Mark Carney, spoke about the coins. He said that even though gold coins are not used every day anymore, Canada's first gold coins are important. He called them "important symbols of our nation’s proud heritage."
