2019 Canada 25-Cent Tri-Metallic First Canadian in Space Gem Specimen

This Coin Honors a Canadian Who Really Did “Take Off!”

In 1981, the comedy team of Bob & Doug McKenzie (as portrayed by actors Rick Moranis and Dave Thomas) released a platinum-selling Canadian comedy album entitled The Great White North. It even featured a hit single “Take Off” sung by Geddy Lee of the Toronto-based rock band Rush. Three years later Marc Garneau really did take off, becoming the first Canadian in space as a payload specialist aboard the Space Shuttle Challenger.

To pay tribute to the 35th Anniversary of Garneau’s feat, the Royal Canadian Mint released this spectacular tri-metallic coin that features the space shuttle blasting off from Kennedy Space Center in Florida and rocketing through three rings. The rings – a core of brass, an inner ring of cupronickel and an outer ring of brass – are meant to represent the different layers of the atmosphere: the troposphere where the shuttle launched, the thermosphere where the shuttle orbited, and outer space. The contrast between each ring accentuates the vivid design that also features Planet Earth in the background and a ring of 35 maple leaves (one for each year of the anniversary) around the rim of the coin. To complete the design and pay tribute to Garneau, “CANADA” and the dual dates “1984-2019” are engraved on either side of the space shuttle.

Each coin available in this offering comes in breathtaking Gem Specimen (SP) condition, meaning they were carefully struck by the artisans at the Royal Canadian Mint specifically for collectors and feature an attractive soft satin finish. Plus, each coin will come in its original government packaging that consists of a custom display that tells about Marc Garneau printed in both English and French. The display also serves as the coin’s Certificate of Authenticity.

This one-year-only legal-tender commemorative is a marvelous tribute to space exploration and Canada’s Marc Garneau. Known as “Canada’s John Glen,” Garneau would “Take Off” into space on two subsequent space shuttle missions in 1996 and 2000. After serving as president of the Canadian Space Agency from 2001-2006, Garneau was elected to Canada’s parliament and was later appointed Minister of Transport.

Just 15,000 of these unique commemorative coins were struck for worldwide release. Make sure one enters your orbit and click the 2019 Canada First Canadian in Space Tri-Metallic Coin to your cart today!

• THE FIRST CANADIAN IN SPACE – This coin pays tribute to the 35th Anniversary of Marc Garneau becoming the first Canadian in Space. It depicts the launch of space shuttle Challenger blasting on the reverse with “CANADA” and the dual dates “1984-2019” engraved on either side of the shuttle. The obverse features a portrait of Queen Elizabeth II.
• CUTTING-EDGE TECHNOLOGY – These tri-metallic coins are struck with three rings of different metals to represent the different layers of the atmosphere – a core of brass for the troposphere, an inner ring of cupronickel for the thermosphere, and an outer ring of brass for outer space.
• CANADIAN LEGAL TENDER – These one-year-only commemorative coins are 25 cents legal tender in Canada and measure 50.25 mm in diameter.
• GEM SPECIMEN CONDITION – Your 2019 Canada Tri-Metallic First Canadian in Space coin will come in Gem Specimen (SP) condition and features a soft satin finish.
• LIMITED WORLDWIDE MINTAGE – The Royal Canadian Mint struck just 15,000 of these impressive space-age coins and each will come in its original government packaging.

Pay tribute to the first Canadian in space with the one-year-only 2019 Canada Tri-Metallic 35th Anniversary commemorative coin. Order yours now!