Canadian 2012 Farewell to the Penny Silver Five Coin Set Sells Out

The Royal Canadian Mint continues to celebrate the history of the one cent coin with its 2012 Farewell to the Penny Silver Five Coin Set.

Each piece within the set is minted to proof quality from 2.94 grams of 99.99% pure silver, totaling to a silver weight of 14.7 grams. But unfortunately for many collectors, the sets sold out before making a general public release. They must now be purchased from the secondary market.

Like other recent commemoratives, the new silver coins pay tribute to pennies that have been produced by the Royal Canadian Mint since its opening at the Ottawa branch in 1908. The Mint announced earlier this year that the penny would be eliminated from production as a cost-saving measure.

Five different designs have appeared on reverses of Canadian one-cent coins since 1908. Each of the five also included an obverse portrait of the reigning monarch of England. It is these obverse and reverse designs that are depicted on the new silver coins in the five coin set.

Farewell to the Penny Silver Coin Designs and Specifications

From 1908 to 1910, the Canadian one cent coin showcased a reverse design by Georges W. DeSaulles that included images of small maple leaves surrounding an inscription of the coin’s face value. DeSaulles also designed the obverse portrait of King Edward VII. Both of these designs are faithfully recreated on the silver coin included as part of this set that is meant to represent the 1908-1910 penny.

King George V ascended to England’s throne in 1911 necessitating a change to Canadian coinage which would remain virtually the same until 1920. Accordingly, Sir E.B. MacKennal designed the obverse effigy of the new King with W.H.J. Blakemore slightly modifying the reverse. These two designs are on the second coin within five coin set.

The third silver coin pays tribute to the penny that was issued by the Royal Canadian Mint from 1920 to 1936. Sir E.B. MacKennal once again designed the obverse portrait of King George V with Fred Lewis designing the reverse that included two maple leaves flanking inscriptions.

1937 was the debut year for the reverse image most coin enthusiasts associate with the Canadian penny. It includes two maple leaves protruding from the same twig as created by G.E. Kruger-Gray. It has been seen on the cent coin annually since 1937, with the exception of 1967. This scene appears on the fourth silver coin, as well as the familiar obverse portrait by Susanna Blunt that depicts Queen Elizabeth II.

Struck for only one year, 1967, the centennial reverse design by Alex Colville shows a rock dove in flight and rounds out the five coins offered in this set. The obverse portrait of a younger Queen Elizabeth II was designed by Arnold Machin.

The silver coins in the five coin set have a diameter of 19.1 mm, equivalent to the diameter of modern one cent coins. Shown on the reverse of each are the inscriptions of "1 CENT" and the year "2012."

The set includes a custom wood case which holds all five coins as well as a box created specifically for the 2012 Farewell to the Penny collection. Maximum mintage for the five coin set is 5,000, and they were listed with a price of CAD $149.95.

Sold Out

As mentioned, the five coin set sold out prior to reaching the entire collecting community. Before they appeared on the Royal Canadian Mint’s public website for ordering, all available went to the Mint’s Master’s Club members who receive priority access to limited-edition coins. Master Club status is attained each year by spending over $999.99 CAD on one or more Royal Canadian Mint products.