Originally dispatched in the 19th century to patrol the Western frontier, the scarlet-clad Mountie on horseback is a well-known image of Canada. Today, the cavalry drills the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) practised over a century ago are performed in front of audiences. The Musical Ride is part of Canada's national identity. The images of the RCMP have been featured on various Canadian coins.

The first coins that featured the image of the RCMP were the twenty-five cent and one dollar coins of 1973. Police Constable Paul Cederberg designed both coins. The twenty-five cent coin is unique in that there are two varieties of the coin. A new obverse with a smaller, more detailed portrait and fewer rim denticles placed farther from the rim was planned for use with the RCMP commemorative reverse.The Charlton Standard Catalogue of Canadian Coins, W.K. Cross, p. 127, The Charlton Press, Toronto, Ontario, A small quantity of coins was struck with the 1972 obverse, thus creating two varieties for the year. The quantity of the large bust has never been confirmed but most publications on Canadian coins estimate that there are approximately 10,000 of these coins. The 1999 Millennium series of 25-cent pieces included the bust of a Mountie on each of the January and July issues."Mountie Money", Christopher Boyer, p. 35, Numismatist, Volume 118, Number 9, September 2005

Unlike the twenty-five cent coin, the Silver Dollar had the same obverse. The only difference with these coins were the cases. One case was black leatherette, with a coat of arms and an insert that was coloured maroon and black. A second case was created and it was blue leatherette with a gilt RCMP crest, with a maroon and black insert.

Twenty-Five Cents YearThemeArtistMintageSpecial Notes1973100th Anniversary of the RCMPPaul Cederberg135,958,589The 25-cent piece for 1973 bears a special reverse designed by Paul Cederberg (the Police Constable sitting on a horse in the design).Coins of Canada, J.A. Haxby and R.A. Willey, p.63, The Unitrade Press, Toronto, Ontario, It honoured the RCMP for 100 years of service.1999MillenniumP. Ka-Kin Poon12,238,559Released in January 1999.1999MillenniumM.H. Sarkany16,537,018Released in July 1999.2007Canada Day CoinN/AN/ANumismatic Piece with an issue price of $9.95 featuring MacLean the Mountie

Fifty cents * This is a numismatic piece and not meant for general circulation. YearArtistMintageIssue price2010Janet Griffin Scott14,000 $109.95

One Dollar YearThemeArtistMintageIssue price1973RCMP CentennialPaul Cederberg904,723$3.00 Coins of Canada, J.A. Haxby and R.A. Willey, p.124, The Unitrade Press, Toronto, Ontario, YearThemeArtistMintage (Proof)Issue price (Proof)Mintage (Brilliant Uncirculated)Issue price (Brilliant Uncirculated)199425th Anniversary of the last RCMP dog sledIan D. Sparkes178,485$24.5065,295$17.951998125th Anniversary of RCMPAdeline Halvorson130,795$29.9581,376$19.95 Coins of Canada, J.A. Haxby and R.A. Willey, p.131, The Unitrade Press, Toronto, Ontario,

Seventy-Five Dollars YearDesignArtistMintageIssue priceRelease dateCompositionFinishWeight (grams)Diameter (mm)Special Notes2007RCMPCecily Mok8,000$389.95February 2458.33% gold, 41.67% silverProof (with colour on reverse)1227Canadian Culture, Wildlife, and Winter Games themes

Two Hundred Dollars The $200 Gold coin of 1993 celebrated the force's 130th anniversary. It featured a uniformed member of the famous "RCMP Musical Ride" alongside his horse, speaking with children."Mountie Money", Christopher Boyer, p. 35, Numismatist, Volume 118, Number 9, September 2005 The 1994 Silver Dollar depicted the 25th Anniversary of the last northern dog-sled patrol."Mountie Money", Christopher Boyer, p. 35, Numismatist, Volume 118, Number 9, September 2005 YearThemeArtistMintageIssue price1993Royal Canadian Mounted PoliceStewart Sherwood10,807$389.65 The Charlton Standard Catalogue of Canadian Coins, W.K. Cross, p. 387, The Charlton Press, Toronto, Ontario,

Gold Maple Leaf The 1-ounce gold bullion coin of 1997 bore the likeness of an RCMP Musical Ride member, its face value was $50, but its guaranteed value was US$310 until January 1, 2000. There was some controversy because some felt that the guaranteed value should have been in the issuing currency. The majority of these pieces were sent to the melting pot, so the piece is a relatively scarce item."Mountie Money", Christopher Boyer, p. 35, Numismatist, Volume 118, Number 9, September 2005 YearThemeArtistMintageIssue priceSpecial Notes1997125th Anniversary of the RCMPAgo Aarand12,913$310.00 US FundsGuaranteed value of $310 US until January 1, 2000 The Charlton Standard Catalogue of Canadian Coins, W.K. Cross, p. 436, The Charlton Press, Toronto, Ontario,

Silver Maple Leaf YearThemeArtistMintageIssue priceSpecial Notes1998RCMPWalter Ott, RCM Engravers25,000N/AMade for Canada Post The Charlton Standard Catalogue of Canadian Coins, W.K. Cross, p. 451, The Charlton Press, Toronto, Ontario,

References

External links

Royal Canadian Mint's Official Website Royal Canadian Mint Act Canadian Numismatic Association Numismatic Network Canada Canadian Coin News