2011 $1 The 1911 Silver Dollar, 100th Anniversary - Special Edition Silver Dollar Proof

This exceptional 2011 proof silver dollar commemorates the centennial of one of the most legendary coins in Canadian numismatic history—the elusive 1911 silver dollar.

Although Canada planned to introduce a circulating silver dollar in 1911, the proposal was abandoned before production began. Only three trial pieces were created: two struck in silver and one in lead. These extraordinarily rare patterns became known among collectors as the “Emperor of Canadian Coins.”

One hundred years later, the Royal Canadian Mint faithfully recreated the historic design in sterling silver. The commemorative coin preserves the original portrait of King George V and the elegant maple-bough reverse while adding the double date “1911–2011” to mark the centennial.

With a limited mintage of only 15,000 coins, this special-edition proof offers collectors an accessible connection to a Canadian coin that most could otherwise only encounter in a museum.

Collector Specifications

● Country: Canada

● Year: 2011

● Denomination: $1

● Composition: 92.5% Silver and 7.5% Copper

● Silver Content: Approximately 0.749 Troy Ounces

● Weight: 25.18 g

● Diameter: 36 mm

● Finish: Proof

● Edge: Serrated

● Mintage: 15,000

● Obverse: King George V

● Reverse: Maple Boughs

● Original Reverse Designer: W.H.J. Blakemore

● Original Obverse Designer: Sir E. B. MacKennal

● Royal Canadian Mint Product Number: 114097

Historical Significance

Canada authorized the creation of a silver dollar in 1910, but delays in preparing the dies and a subsequent change in government prevented the coin from entering circulation. Only three trial strikes survived—two silver examples and one lead example—establishing the 1911 dollar as one of the most important rarities in Canadian numismatics.

The 2011 centennial issue carefully adapts that unrealized design, allowing collectors to own a sterling-silver tribute to the coin that might have become Canada’s first circulating silver dollar. The original patterns are now recognized as national numismatic treasures, with examples preserved within major museum collections. (https://www.mint.ca/en)

Why We Selected This Piece

We selected this coin because it represents more than its precious-metal content. It tells the story of an important Canadian coin that was designed, prepared, and ultimately abandoned—only to become one of the country’s most celebrated numismatic legends.

Its low mintage, sterling-silver composition, proof finish, historic King George V portrait, and faithful recreation of the famous 1911 design make it especially appealing to collectors of Canadian history and Royal Canadian Mint issues.