500 Dollars - Elizabeth II National Aboriginal Veterans Monument

Reverse

Images from the National Aboriginal Veterans Monument, featuring a Thunderbird eagle with wings outstretched over several symbolic and representative aboriginal or first nations figures.

Script: Latin

Lettering:
CANADA
NLP

Designer: Noel Lloyd Pinay

Edge

Serrated

Comment

As on the statue itself, the image is crowned with an eagle, also known as the Thunderbird, its wings spread. This figure is the symbol of the Creator and the embodiment of the spirit of the Aboriginal peopleof Canada. Standing beneath the outspread wings of the Thunderbird are four human figures who, on the monument itself, gaze in the four directions of the compass: a First Nations man, an Inuit man, a Métis man and a First Nations woman. The four human figuresare accompanied by the four animal spirit guides that stand guard at the four corners of the statue’s base: wolf, bear, elk, and bison. Each of these creatures has characteristics held in high esteem by Aboriginal warrior traditions. Those guided by the bear hope to be granted tremendous strength and healing power. Followers of the wolf value the attributes of intelligence, courage, and love of family. The elk, also known as the red deer or wapiti, is respected for its speed, sharp senses, and power in battle. Themassive bison is a model of strength and stability.

The aboriginal people of Canada have fought alongsideand as part of the nation’s military since the colonial period. Motivated by the potential for adventure, a steady pay cheque, and strong community support, more than 4,000 Aboriginal people enlisted in theFirst World War and more than 3,100 in the Second. After the Second World War, Aboriginal peoples enlisted in all three services and fought in Korea and later in Afghanistan. Aboriginal men and women also served in Europe as part of the Canadian deterrent against the Warsaw Pact and have served as peacekeeperson all major Canadian missions from the first United Nations mission in the Sinai in 1956 to operationsin the former Yugoslavia. Their skills and knowledge have been highly valued. As Canadian Rangers, Aboriginal Canadians helped provide a first line of surveillance along Canada’s Arctic and northwest Pacificcoasts, and from the 1950s they have also served asinstructors for Arctic survival courses.

The National Aboriginal Veterans Monument offers a uniquely Aboriginal perspective on the interconnectedness of war and peace, and humanity and the natural world. Drawing from key elements of Aboriginal cultural traditions, it intertwines symbols in a beautiful tribute that tells a powerful story. Executed in bronze with adiamond brown granite base, the five-metre monumenttells the story of Aboriginals’ vital role in historic events at home and abroad.

Topped by the figure of the Thunderbird, a First Nations man, an Inuit man, a Métis man, and a First Nations woman gaze to thefour points of the compass. They are accompanied bythe four animal spirit guides that stand guard at the four corners of the statue’s base: wolf, bear, elk, and bison. Each of these creatures has characteristics held in high esteem by Aboriginal warrior traditions.

Packaging:
Your coin is encased in an acrylic box. This coin is also accompanied with a serialized certificate in a book format, presented in an elegant collector’s box made of Canadian walnut wood and branded with the Royal Canadian Mint logo.

Interesting fact

Price

Date	Mintage	VG	F	VF	XF	AU	UNC
2014	111	-	-	-	-	-	-

Values in the table are based on evaluations by sales realized on Internet platforms. They serve as an indication only for 500 Dollars - Elizabeth II (National Aboriginal Veterans Monument) 2014 coin.