2009 Canada $50 150th Anniv. Construction of Parliament 5oz. Silver (No Tax)

2009 Canada $50 150th Anniv. Construction of Parliament 5oz. Silver (No Tax)

Never before had anything so grand been built in North America. It was time. Queen Victoria had chosen Ottawa (Ontario) as the national capital and the growing Province needed more space to house its legislature. Barrack Hill, high above the Ottawa River that had also housed engineers during the construction of the Rideau Canal, was available. The site was prominent, spacious and picturesque; perfect for a plaza of such importance.

Construction began in December 1859 and was completed by the summer of 1866. The Parliament Buildings incorporated the latest trends in Victorian Gothic Revivalism adapted to North American tastes and materials, but one feature of the original design was absent.

Architects Thomas Fuller and Chilion Jones had originally proposed a central tower with a cap and decorative finials. These elements were added during 1872-78; when the Victoria Tower first opened in 1866, it featured peaked gables and Gothic end posts at each corner.

Unfortunately, these architectural treasures were lost forever when fire raged through the Centre Block in 1916. The reconstruction was intent on respecting the original design but was expanded to provide more office space and adopt the latest architectural trends. Today's facades look quite different from the originals but are arguably Canada's most recognized buildings. One hundred and fifty years after construction first began, Ottawa's Parliament Buildings are still hailed as the purest example of Gothic Revival architecture in the Western Hemisphere.

Specifications:
Item number: 105218
Face Value: 50 dollars
Mintage: 2,000
Composition: 99.99% pure Silver
Weight (g): 157.6
Diameter (mm): 65.25
Edge: Serrated
Finish: Proof

Special Features:
Fourth time that the Mint has produced a 5oz silver coin. Previous issues: 2006 - Four Seasons, 2007 - Queen's 60th Wedding Anniversary and 2008 - 100th Anniversary of the Royal Canadian Mint.

The design features the original architecture of the Parliament Buildings as proposed by Fuller and Jones, complete with capped tower and finials. The incomplete West Block in the foreground underscores the start of construction.

Exquisite craftsmanship and finish enhance the majestic architecture of this important heritage building.

Packaging:
Coin is encapsulated and presented in a maroon clamshell case lined with flock and protected by a black sleeve.