Canada. New Silver Proof Coins Feature Allegories of Justice and Truth Design

The assertion that ‘there can be no justice without truth’ is a fundamental principle within the framework of the rule of law. Justice requires a factual basis for decisions, and a system that operates without truth cannot deliver fair outcomes. In 2025, Canada marks 150 years of the establishment of the Supreme Court of Canada which was created in 1875, more than a century after the first courts were established in what is now Canada. The first Supreme Court in British North America was established in Nova Scotia in 1763 and was established by the Royal Proclamation of King George III. It’s primary purpose was to adjudicate and regulate colonial settlers' expansion and establishing a new administrative structure for the newly acquired territories. The creation of the Supreme Court of Canada was provided for by the British North America Act, 1867 which was also the basis for Canadian confederation. The first bills for the creation of a federal supreme court were introduced in the newly created Parliament of Canada in 1869 and in 1870 but were withdrawn. It was not until the 8th April 1875 that a bill was finally passed providing for the creation of the Supreme Court of Canada.

Canada’s Supreme Court is comprised of nine justices whose decisions are the ultimate application of Canadian law. Justices are appointed on the advice of the prime minister and headed by a chief justice. The Supreme Court is bi-jural, hearing cases from two major legal traditions of both common law and civil law, they are bilingual and will hear cases in both English and French, official languages of Canada. As such, it is the world’s only bilingual, bi-jural top court.

The nine justices by convention are represented provincially with three justices representing Quebec, three from Ontario, two from the western provinces, typically one from British Columbia and one from the prairie provinces, which rotate among themselves and one from the Atlantic provinces, usually from Nova Scotia or New Brunswick. Presently, the justice representing the Atlantic provinces is from Newfoundland.

Justices were originally allowed to remain on the bench for life, but in 1927 a mandatory retirement age of 75 was instituted. However, justices may choose to retire earlier and can only be removed involuntarily before that age by a vote of the Senate and House of Commons. The Supreme Court sits in three sessions in each calendar year. The first session begins on the fourth Tuesday in January, the second session on the fourth Tuesday in April, and the third session on the first Tuesday in October. 

The first building for the Supreme Court was built on Bank Street near Parliament and was in use from 1882 until 1945. The present Supreme Court of Canada is located just west of Parliament Hill above the Ottawa River in downtown Ottawa and contains two courtrooms used by the Federal Court and the Federal Court of Appeal. Designed by Ernest Cormier in a distinctive Art Deco style, the cornerstone was set in 1939 by Queen Elizabeth, consort of King George VI during their royal visit and completed in January 1946. Located on the grounds are two sculptures Canadian sculptor Walter S. Allward and entitled Veritas or, Truth and Justitia, or Justice which are placed on either side of the Building’s front entrance. In terms of international standing, and along with the German Federal Constitutional Court and the European Court of Human Rights, the Supreme Court of Canada is among the most frequently cited courts in the world.

The reverse side of the Allegories of Justice and Truth coin is designed by Canadian artist Rebecca Yanovskaya. Her artwork is inspired by Walter S. Allward’s statues of Ivstitia and Veritas located in front of the Supreme Court of Canada building. The two figures of Justice, whose left arm is extended onto the right shoulder of Truth holds forth the Sword of Justice. The two figures are selectively gold-plated and surrounded by a laurel wreath while standing on a podium marked with the stylised initials SC in reference to the Supreme Court. The laurel wreath and initials are borrowed from the Cormier Emblem, the Supreme Court’s historic badge. The gold-plated figures of Justice and Truth have been carefully engraved and finely sculpted. Above the primary design and along the upper rim is the text CANADA 2025 with the inscription IVSTITIA and VERITAS placed below on a scroll banner and between two laurel branches on the outer ring. The obverse side features the effigy of His Majesty King Charles III created by Steven Rosati. The denomination of 20 DOLLARS is placed below the King’s image which is also gold-plated along with the rim.

Available now, each coin is encapsulated and presented in a Royal Canadian Mint-branded custom case accompanied with a numbered certificate of authenticity. For more information on this coin, please visit their e-webshop.