- Country:Canada
- Collection:Silver Commemorative $3
- Metal:Silver
- Year:2019
- Denomination:$3
- Finish:Complete
- Weight (oz):0.25
- Purity:0.9999
- Mintage:10000
- Product type:Coin
A footstep in time. A pure silver tribute to those who came ashore on D-Day. Order today.
Stepping off the LCA, I plunged into action. It was a 45-metre dash through the cold surf just to reach the shore. Now, it's a mad race acrossthe open beach to reach the seawall. We've come under heavy fire every step of the way. But we're doing the unthinkable here: we're breaching the Atlantic Wall, like a giant wave crashing downon the occupying forces in Western Europe. Every new boot print in the sand is one step closer to victoryÃ
The first step into battle takes incrediblecourage.
On June 6, 1944, 14,000 Canadians stepped forwardand fought to secure a beachhead on an 8-km stretchof Normandy coast. Many fell before reaching the shore; still, the brave Canadians pushed on, advancingfarther than any of the Allies and clearing the wayfor the invading forces that followed.
This powerful coin design honours the Canadian soldiers who landed on Juno Beach and helped secure an Allied foothold in Western Europe. Although their boot prints in the sand have long washed away, their imprint on history will endure forever.
The soldiers who landed in France on June 6, 1944, were indelibly marked by that event. But as they crossed the beach and began the liberation campaign in Northwest Europe, they left their own everlastingmark, symbolised here by the imprint of the soldier's boot.
Dr. Stephen Harris, CD, PhD, Directorate of History and Heritage, Canadian Armed Forces
Your pure silver coin is a tribute to those who came ashore on D-Day. Order today.
Special features:
BEAUTIFULLY CRAFTED IN PURE SILVER: Your D-Day commemorative piece captures the moment Canadian soldiers set foot on Juno Beach on the morning of June 6, 1944.
A STIRRING IMAGE: With its image of a boot print in the sand, your coin captures the gilded essence of the landings on Juno Beach.
THE WAVE'S CONTOURS ECHO THE NORMANDY COASTLINE: Below the boot print, a wave laps at the shore, its contours echoing the Normandy coastline.
A FOOTSTEP THAT LED TO A FOOTHOLD: The boot print belongs to the young soldier featured on the 2019 proof dollar. Both coins are part of a year-long journey of remembrance; each oneis a different chapter in the story of Canada in the Normandy Campaign.
EXCEPTIONAL REALISM: Innovative finishes mimic the granular nature of the sand and the reflective quality of the water.
REMEMBERING CANADA'S ROLE: Canadians played an important role on D-Day and throughout the Battle of Normandy. This is our way of honouring their legacy.
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Design:
A soldier's first step onto Juno Beach is preserved for all time in this poignant design by Glen Loates. Your coin features a military boot print in the sand, its deep indentation and crisp lines conveying the weight of the soldier's resolve as he moves towards his objective. Below the boot print, a wave laps at the shore, its contours echoing the Normandy coastline. The word "JUNO" fills the space between the boot print and the water, and sits atop the anniversary years "1944 Ã2019" that are linked by a maple leaf insignia from the Second World War. The word "CANADA" is engraved along the upper edge of the coin.
Did you knowÃ
On D-Day, Canada's 14,000 soldiers were part ofthe largest seaborne invasion in history which included an Allied assault force 150,000 strong.
Delayed by weather and a strong current, the first assault wavelanded at 7:49 a.m. Infantry and armoured units continued to pour onto the increasingly congested beachas the enemy held its position. By 10 a.m., severalbeach exits were cleared and reserve battalions began moving in; and by 12 p.m., all units of the 3rd Canadian Division had come ashore.
Bullets rained down on the infantry as they waded through the water, but more dangers awaited them on land. Obstacles, hidden mines and machine gun firemade for a harrowing race across 200 metres of openbeach. And behind the seawall were concrete bunkers, machine gun nests, anti-tank guns and pillboxes.
Sherman DD tanks joined the assault troops in overrunningdefensive strongpoints. Armed with small arms and grenades, some troops even engaged in hand-to-hand combat in their attempt to clear the beach.
Casualties were highest in the first wave of soldiers that broke through the German defences. By day's end, 340 Canadians had made the ultimate sacrifice, with another 574 wounded-and it was just the start of their grueling campaign through Normandy.
