Canadian Coin Celebrates First Non-Stop Transatlantic Flight

Last updated on May 2nd, 2024 at 03:34 pm

Last Updated on May 2, 2024 Posted by Colonial Acres Coins

Modern travel has definitely evolved to

great heights… literally. Air travel was, for a long time, considered the imaginative musings of dreamers until it became reality. Afterwards, the question became, how far can one aircraft fly successfully? This led to the pushing of boundaries and subsequently the first transatlantic flight which took place in 1919. It is this tremendous feat that’s commemorated by the 1 oz. Pure Silver Coloured Coin produced by the Royal Canadian Mint.  Today, this commemorative treasure sits invitingly among Canadian coins for sale at Colonial Acres, waiting for savvy and lucky collectors to grasp its timeless beauty in their palms.

The Significance of this Coin

The coin marks the 100th Anniversary of the First Non-Stop Transatlantic flight which took off from Newfoundland on June 14-15, 1919. The plane that was used for this record-breaking journey was the Vickers Vimy, a large craft (especially when compared with others at the time) with twin engines. It was a bomber plane designed for use in World War One. Unfortunately for the players in the war and fortunately for the participants of this great journey, the war was over by the time the craft was ready.  The craft was piloted by John Alcock and Arthur Brown who became famous as the first people to fly an aircraft across the Atlantic in under 72 hours of uninterrupted travel. They braved a rough takeoff, inclement weather and equipment failure. The flight ended with a crash landing on June 15 in Ireland.

The Features of the Coin 

Designed to reflect the appearance of the Robert William Bradford designed stamp issued in 1969 to mark th

e 50th anniversary of the flight, this coin is rectangular shaped (a unique feature among commemorative coins which usually have a circular shape) and has perforated edges. It is also just a colourful as a stamp would be and features stamp themed adornments.  The brightly coloured stamp design is imposed on the coin’s 99.99% silver body.

The reverse invites you to feast your eyes on the majestic craft in mid-flight with a pristine blue of the Atlantic ocean and the North Atlantic landforms as the backdrop.  This image is presented to you from the bird’s eye vantage point inviting you to imagine yourself as a part of the whole Atlantic crossing situation. Just above the craft’s image, the denomination (15 cents) of the original stamp can be found. At the bottom, you’ll see the notation about the historic flight as well as the word Canada stretching along the side in all capital letters. The actual face value of the coin is fifty cents and can be seen on the obverse where you’ll also find the artist Susanna Blunt’s representation of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth the Second in effigy. 

Value You Can’t Resist

This is the second issuing of a collectible Canadian coin for sale commemorating the record-setting flight. The Royal Canadian Mint was compelled to release the coin due to high demand for the stamp (which was issued by Canada Post). With a history of high demand for the stamp version, this coin isn’t expected to remain on shelves for long. Celebrate the 50^th anniversary of the stamp as well as the 100^th anniversary of the flight in fine style with this stamp.

The coin’s very low mintage (5000) makes it a very rare treasure worthy of grasping with both hands. Do not let this chance slip by you. Visit Colonial Acres today for your very own pioneering transatlantic flight commemorative coin. Your coin will be certified as original by a Royal Canadian Mint issued serialized certificate and will be presented to you in a clamshell box affixed with the Royal Canadian  Mint brand mark and a black beauty box.