- Country:Canada
- Collection:Silver Commemorative $20
- Metal:Silver
- Year:2014
- Denomination:$20
- Finish:Complete
- Weight (oz):1.009
- Purity:0.9999
- Mintage:3511
- Product type:Coin
Keeping the Peace.
This eye-catching coin automatically makes one think of all the men and women who have served with the Canadian Forces, but its theme will undoubtedly strike a chord with anyone who feels a sense of pride in Canada's leadership role in the global peacekeeping movement, including historians, political pundits; anyone who stands against violence and supports the peaceful resolution of all conflicts. Its design provides a privileged glimpse into a United Nations observation post and of the difficult and isolated terrain that often characterizes the world's conflict zones. The soldier standing at the base of the tower conveys the Peacekeeper's need to be constantly at the ready, while the Master Corporal in the foreground highlights the most recognizable component of the Peacekeeper's uniform-the signature blue beret rendered in coloured enamel.
"[The] best defense to peace is not power, but the removal of the causes of war, and international agreements which will put peace on a stronger foundation than the terror of destruction." Ã Lester B. Pearson
Keeping the Peace
It takes strength of character and a special sensitivity to maintain peace in a hostile environment. Such neutrality became essential during the 1950's while Britain was decolonizing areas of Asia and Africa. Multinational forces had to intervene to prevent the outbreak of violence between Egypt and Israel during the Suez Crisis; and later, between Greek and Turkish communities following the declaration of independence of Cyprus.
Lester B. Pearson, then Secretary of State for External Affairs, and later Canada's 14th Prime Minister, was instrumental in bringing a diplomatic resolution to the Suez Crisis, a visionary endeavour that popularized the word "peacekeeping," and earned Pearson a Nobel Peace Prize. It was no surprise then, that Canada was welcomed as a key participant in the United Nation's efforts to bring peace to Cyprus.
UNFICYP (United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus) began on March 27, 1964, and would prove to be Canada's longest peacekeeping mission. After a decade, peace was still elusive, and the conflict threatened to escalate during a coup d'etat. Canada's Colonel Clay Beattie, commander of the Canadian contingent and Chief of Staff to Indian Lieutenant-General Prem Chand, leader of the UN Forces in Cyprus, responded to the situation with a new style of peacekeeping-playing an active role between the adversaries rather than passively occupying the ground between them to supervise ceasefires and the withdrawal of troops.
Canadian battalions remained in Cyprus until the mid-1990's and a small group of observers is still present today. UNFICYP is now in its 50th year and has witnessed a minimum of one tour from virtually every infantry battalion in Canada, with armoured and artillery regiments also serving.
Face Value: 20 dollars
Mintage: 8,500
Composition: 99.99% pure silver
Diameter (mm): 38
Weight (g): 31.39
Edge: Serrated
Finish: Proof with blue enamel
Certificate: Serialized
Artist: Silvia Pecota
