Canada: Gold And Silver Proof Coins Remember The 80th Anniversary Of The End Of World War II

This special bond which exists with the peoples of Canada and the Netherlands stems from the liberation of the Dutch during the Second World War. After the declaration of War by the European allied forces in November 1939, armies of the Third Reich planned an invasion of the Low Countries of Belgium, Luxembourg and the Netherlands along with neighbouring France. The assault began on the morning of the 10^th May 1940 when armoured tanks and airplanes of the Luftwaffe mounted their offence on peaceful towns and cities. After the devastating bombing of Rotterdam by the Luftwaffe on the 14^th May, the Germans threatened to bomb other Dutch cities if the Dutch armed forces refused to surrender. It was with a heavy heart that Dutch armed forces surrendered, and the Dutch Government was forced to seek safety in exile. So too did the country’s beloved Queen Wilhelmina who reluctantly left her country and sailed to England aboard a British Frigate dispatched for her on the orders of King George VI.

Four years later in June 1944, in what was referred to as ‘the beginning of the end’ of the war in Europe came with ‘D-Day’. Allied forces pushed into the occupied lands consisting of British, American, Canadian and many soldiers from those countries occupied by the Third Reich. The Canadian soldiers that landed at Juno Beach fought valiantly and suffered heavy losses in securing their landing objectives at the end of D-Day. The final phase of the Second World War in Europe brought the First Canadian Army to the Netherlands beginning from 1944 and into 1945, where Canadian soldiers fought from town to town, and sometimes, house to house, bringing freedom and relief to Dutch civilians who had endured five years of hardship and occupation. Canada is particularly well-remembered in the Netherlands for both their efforts to liberate the country from Nazi occupation as well as providing a safe haven for countless Dutch refugees – the Princess of Orange being among one of those refugees. Princess Juliana, heir to the Dutch throne travelled to Canada with her two young daughters while her mother Queen Wilhelmina maintained a government-in-exile in London throughout the war.

The 1st Canadian Corps would be responsible for the liberation of major cities like Amsterdam on the 7th May 1945 and Rotterdam and The Hague on the 8th. The final Dutch location to be liberated, on the 11th June was the island Schiermonnikoog, regarded as the last battlefield in Western Europe. With the surrender of the Third Reich on the 5th May 1945, the war in Europe was at a final end. Queen Wilhelmina who had frequently spoken to her countrymen over the radio during the occupation had already returned to the southern part of her country in March 1945 and returned to the capital on the 6^th July to a rapturous welcome by her people.

To this day, the 5th of May is Liberation Day in the Netherlands as well as Dutch Heritage Day in Canada. To mark this anniversary, Dutch people continue to take part in events and acts of remembrance for the more than 7,600 Canadians who died while fighting to bring freedom to the Netherlands. In Canada, the enduring connection between the two nations is evidenced by the thousands of tulips that bloom each spring in Ottawa - an annual gift from the Dutch Royal Family and the people of the Netherlands.

Designed by artist Neil Hamelin, both the gold and silver coins remembers Canada’s triumphant convoy which is so poignantly illustrated. The scene depicted captures the joyous liberation celebrations that took place in the spring of 1945. Amid the excitement is a young girl’s gift of a tulip symbolises a lasting legacy of peace, gratitude and friendship as she hands it to a Canadian Officer who kneels down to accept her gift. Behind the scene, a prominent maple leaf and a procession of Canadian soldiers in wartime manufactured Canadian Military Pattern - CMP vehicles can be seen rolling into a Dutch town, where they are given a hero’s welcome. The text CANADA and double years 1945-2025 are placed above the primary design. An addition to the design on the gold coins is the commemorative text shown along the lower rim VICTORY VICTOIRE separated by a small maple leaf. The obverse side includes the effigy of HM King Charles III created by Canadian artist Steven Rosati and depicts the King facing to the left surrounded by the legend CHARLES III D · G · REX. The denomination of 100 DOLLARS (gold) or 20 DOLLARS (silver) is placed just under the King’s likeness

The gold proof $100 dollar coin is encapsulated and presented in a custom maroon colour case accompanied with a certificate of authenticity. The $20 silver proof coin is encapsulated and is presented in a custom matte black case accompanied with a certificate of authenticity. For more information, please visit the Royal Canadian Mint’s e-webshop.