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As a Commonwealth country, Canada has included the likeness—or 'effigy'—of the reigning monarch on its coins since the Royal Canadian Mint started production in 1908.
Edward VII was His Majesty King Charles III’s great-great-grandfather. The Latin inscription appearing around him reads EDWARDVS VII DEI GRATIA REX IMPERATOR (or D:G REX IMPERATOR, depending on the denomination), both of which mean “Edward VII, by the grace of God, the King and Emperor. ”
George V was the great-grandfather of His Majesty King Charles III and appeared with the Latin inscription GEORGIVS V DEI GRA:REX ET IND:IMP, which means “George V, by the grace of God, the King and Emperor of India.” For part of 1911, coins did not include the DEI GRA part of the inscription and became known as the “Godless” coins.
His Majesty King Charles III’s grandfather appeared in effigy on Canadian coins until his daughter’s Coronation in 1952. Until 1947, the inscription accompanying his image read GEORGIVS VI D:G:REX ET IND:IMP or GEORGIVS VI DEI GRA REX ET IND:IMP (depending on the denomination). After India became independent in 1947, the ET IND:IMP, which meant “George VI, Emperor of India,” was discontinued.
The effigy of Queen Elizabeth II first appeared on Canadian coins in 1953 when she was 27 years old. The effigy pictured here was used until 1964, with the inscription ELIZABETH II DEI GRATIA REGINA, meaning “Elizabeth II, by the grace of God, the Queen. ”
This updated effigy of Queen Elizabeth II appeared with the inscription ELIZABETH II D G REGINA, a shortened form of the original.
A new effigy of Queen Elizabeth II was unveiled in 1990 when she was 64 years old. This was the first to be designed by a Canadian, Dora de Pédery‑Hunt, and the coin kept the ELIZABETH II D G REGINA inscription.
Canadian artist, Susanna Blunt, designed the effigy of Queen Elizabeth II, again accompanied by the words ELIZABETH II D G REGINA. Blunt's version recalls the effigy of George VI, who also chose to be portrayed without a crown.
Another Canadian artist, Steven Rosati, designed the first effigy of His Majesty King Charles III accompanied by the words CHARLES III D G REX. His Majesty’s profile faces left, in keeping with the longstanding tradition of facing in the opposite direction to their immediate predecessor.
On September 8, 2022, upon the passing of Queen Elizabeth II, His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales acceded to the Throne and became His Majesty King Charles III. King Charles III is Canada’s first new monarch in 70 years.
Credits
Queen Elizabeth II waves to well-wishers. Winnipeg, Manitoba. July 1959.
[Courtesy University of Manitoba UM_PC_18_5855-4980-_027]