1998 Canada 1 Dollar Silver Royal Canadian Mounted Police Proof

1998 Canada $1 Mounted Police Silver Dollar Proof

In 1873, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police was established to bring law, order and Canadian authority to the Western frontier. This silver dollar commemorates the 125th Anniversary of this organization.

The proof is struck in 25.175 grams of 92.5% Sterling Silver. The Obverse design features the front of the coin you will see the effigy of Queen Elizabeth II with "ELIZABETH II" behind her head on the left. Elizabeth II to the right reads: D.G REGINA. The Reverse design features a Mounty officer in uniform. On the left side of the horse and officer are the dates 1873 and 1998. Atop of the portrait reads: CANADA DOLLAR. The bottom of the coin reads: RCMP (The Royal Canadian Police). On the bottom left reads: GRC (Gendarmerie Royale du Canada).

Established in 1873, The Royal Canadian Police was originally called The Northwest Mounted Rifles. However, the U.S. did not like the idea of an armed military force patrolling the borders. As a result, the name was changed to The North-West Mounted Police (NWMP). In 1904, they were given the "Royal" prefix by King Edward VII, and their name was officially changed to Royal Northwest Mounted Police (RNWMP). By 1920, the RNWMP was changed to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police.

The picture on the back of the coin is of a Mounty officer in the original uniform. By the late 1980's, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) had grown to have 18,000 members.