- Country:Canada
- Collection:Silver Commemorative $20
- Metal:Silver
- Year:2016
- Denomination:$20
- Finish:Complete
- Weight (oz):1.009
- Purity:0.9999
- Mintage:3247
- Product type:Coin
"We went in about 40 strong to a platoon, 160 to a company, and if you brought out 40 or 50 men out of a company of 160, you did well... " - Canadian officer C. G. Barns
It was meant to be the Allies' "Big Push" of 1916, one that would break the stalemate along the Western Front; instead, four monthsof battles transformed the chalky soil of France's Somme river valley into the site of one of history's costliest battles. During the fierce fighting that defined the Somme Offensive, Canada's soldiers distinguished themselves with extraordinary valour, tenacity and sacrifice as they were sent "over the top." Rushing forward from the trenches into the openness of no man's land,these brave combatants had to overcome deep barbedwire defences and a barrage of artillery fire in their attempts to reach an enemy that was deeply entrenched throughout the countryside. Gains made in places such as Courcelette furthered the reputation ofour soldiers as a formidable fighting force-but it all came at a tragic cost, with more than 24,000 Canadian casualties suffered during this chapter of the First World War.
A poignant addition to your military-themed coin display. Order yours today!
Special features:
COMMEMORATES CANADA'S ROLE IN KEY BATTLES OF THE FIRST WORLD WAR! The third coin in the Royal Canadian Mint's First World War: Battlefront series, which commemorates Canada's role in key battles ofthe First World War and depicts its soldiers in action on the battlefields of Europe.
FEATURES THE WINGED FIGURE FROM THE VICTORY MEDAL IN GOLD PLATING! A fine silver with selective gold plating that recreates the winged figure of "Victory" from the Victory Medal, which was awarded in 1919 to all ranks of the Allied forces who served in the First World War.
EFFIGY OF KING GEORGE V! Your coin highlights the reigning monarch during the First World War with the effigy ofKing George V by sir E. B. MacKennal.
A poignant and heartfelt tribute to the soldiers of the Canadian Corps for their bravery and sacrificeduring this important battle of the First World War.
BEAUTIFUL FINISHING TECHNIQUES! Attention to historical accuracy, detailed engraving and beautiful finishing techniques combine to create a stunning coin that showcases the renowned artistry and skilful craftsmanship of the Royal Canadian Mint.
UNIQUE ARTISTIC DESIGN! A unique artistic design that pulls you into the scene to recreate a first-person perspective as the soldiers push forward toward enemy lines.
99.99% PURE SILVER COIN! Your coin has no GST/HST!
Design:
Designed by Canadian artist Glen Loates,your coin recreates a soldier's viewpoint in battle during the Somme Offensive of 1916. With bayonets fixed on their rifles, a Canadian battalion braves a constant barrage of artillery fire after going "over the top" of the trenches, as thesoldiers valiantly charge across the chalky terraintowards enemy lines. To the left, a sergeant turnsto face the viewer as he shouts encouragement and urges his men forward à including the viewer, who is pulled into the scene to gain a sense ofthe overwhelming uncertainty and danger that hung over these courageous soldiers who valiantly pressedon. Above, a ghostly image of a young Canadian soldier looks down upon the scene and serves as a moving reminder of the heavy casualties suffered in the Somme Offensive. In the centre, selective gold plating showcases the winged figure of "Victory," as it appeared on the Victory Medal that was awarded to the allied soldiers of the First World War. Adding to the historical accuracy of the coin, theobverse highlights the reigning monarch during theFirst World War with the effigy of King George V by sir E. B. MacKennal.
Did you knowÃ
The Somme was the site of three separate operations during the First World War: the Somme Offensive of 1916, and two others in the spring of 1918 and in August 1918.
It was originally planned as one of three simultaneous offensives launched by the Allies in 1916: one in the East that would be mounted by the Russians, another on the Italian Front, and this joint British-French effort on the Western Front. But heavy fighting at Verdun had put a strain on French troops, so the Somme Offensive became a largely British-led effort tobreak through enemy lines and relieve some of the pressure on the French.
It marked the first time an aerial campaign was specifically assigned to support a ground offensive, as the British Royal Flying Corps (RFC) assumed the task of aerial reconnaissance and engaged the German Army Air Service (GAAS) to establish air superiority over the Somme.
During the war, Newfoundland was not yeta part of Canada but its 1st Newfoundland Regiment took part in the opening battleof the offensive, moving out of their trenches at 9:15 a.m. on
July 1, 1916; tragically, all but 68 of its 801 men would become casualties in the crossfire within the first half hour.
Leading up to their September 15 push to Courcelette, the Canadian Corps suffered
2,600 casualties at the Somme before they had even participated in their first major battle of the offensive.
Seven Mark 1 armoured land cruisers took part in the Battle of Flers-Courcelette alongsidethe Canadians; these first tanks proved to be somewhat unreliable and slow, but they helped cut through the barbed wire and silenced some enemyfirepower, while striking fear in the enemy upon first sight.
By the end of the offensive, the Allies had gained only 13kilometres along the 35-kilometre front at a cost of nearly 650,000 casualties, while Germans suffered at least 435,000 casualties in what theyreferred to as das Blutbad-"the bloodbath."
