Canada. New Silver Proof Coins Remembers All-Canadian Aeronautic Marvel.

2025 marks the 80ᵗʰ anniversary of the founding of A.V. Roe Canada Limited, more commonly known as Avro and an aviation marvel designed and built in Canada. The aircraft manufacturer began operations in the former Victory Aircraft plant in Malton, Ontario and went on to become the third-largest corporation in Canada.

In the 1950s, this supersonic aircraft was heralded as the fastest and highest-flying interceptor. It was, and remains, an inspiring symbol of Canadian ingenuity and engineering excellence. The story and ultimate construction of the Avro CF-105 Arrow began in 1953 when A.V. Roe Canada Ltd. was commissioned to develop a supersonic interceptor that would bolster North America's air defences during the Cold War. Production began at the company's facilities in the town of Malton, Ontario, and on the 4th October 1957, the first prototype Arrow, RL-201, was unveiled to great fanfare, coincidentally as the Soviet Union announced the first orbit of Sputnik-1, the first artificial Earth satellite. After a successful first flight on the 25th March 1958, four more prototypes were completed, plus one Arrow Mk. 2. The twin-engine, delta-winged Arrow was hailed as a technological triumph as it was the first production aircraft to adopt a fly-by-wire flight control system, while the newly developed Iroquois PS-13 turbojet engine allowed it to fly at a speed exceeding Mach 2—twice the speed of sound.  

Despite the promise of developing supersonic aircraft and that Canada had signed an agreement with the United States in which they became a partner in NORAD - North American Air Defense, the Avro programme had come under pressure from the Diefenbaker government who came to power in June 1957, and ordered the company to cease production of the RL-201. The abrupt cancellation of the Avro project came on the 20th February 1959 when the government cited the project was too costly to proceed further and despite the advent of the missile age. Ultimately, the A.V. Roe Canada Limited Corporation folded in 1962 after the Arrow’s cancellation. All Arrow prototypes, models, plans and equipment were ordered to be destroyed and today, only some surviving artefacts can be found in Canadian museums. For many airplane enthusiasts, the Arrow lives on as a delta-winged symbol of Canadian ingenuity and technical achievement.

The image on the reverse side which is designed by Ardell Bourgeois pays homage to the development of Canada’s most legendary aircraft. Depicted is an aerial view of the 1950’s supersonic interceptor jet in flight and over the waters of Lake Ontario, where the small scale models were tested from 1954 to 1957. This is represented by the Arrow’s outline, which is engraved incuse on the surface of the water, where it invokes the achievements that made its creation possible and contributed to aeronautics. The first Arrow is indicated by the serial number RL 201 and is paired with the Royal Canadian Air Force classic roundel on both the aircraft’s fuselage and in the inscription near the bottom of the design. Above the primary design and along the right rim is the text CANADA. The obverse 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 and the year of release, 2025 is placed above.

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.