1943) "Snowbirds Aerial Aerobatics Squadron", Canada: 50th Anniversary of its formation (1971-2021): A $50 (Fifty Dollars - Canadian) Silver Coin with selective Gold Plating, issued by the Royal Canadian Mint (RCM) celebrating the milestone: Date/Year of Coin issue: 2021:

1943) "Snowbirds Aerial Aerobatics Squadron", Canada: 50th Anniversary of its formation (1971-2021): A $50 (Fifty Dollars - Canadian) Silver Coin with selective Gold Plating, issued by the Royal Canadian Mint (RCM) celebrating the milestone: Date/Year of Coin issue: 2021:

The Royal Canadian Mint has released new silver Proof coins which celebrate the "50th Anniversary of the Snowbirds Aerial Acrobatics Squadron", which is  Canada’s popular aerial squadron known for their excellence in the skies. 

The Reverse of the Snowbirds "50th Anniversary" Silver Coin with selective Gold plating, placed against a background image of the Snowbirds demonstrating their skills in formation

About the Snowbirds:

The "Snowbirds", officially known as "431 Air Demonstration Squadron"  are the military aerobatics or air show flight demonstration team of the Royal Canadian Air Force. 

The team is based at 15 Wing Moose Jaw near Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan. 

The Snowbirds' official purpose is to "demonstrate the skill, professionalism, and teamwork of Canadian Forces personnel". 

The Snowbirds are the first Canadian air demonstration team to be designated as a squadron.

The show team flies 11 CT-114 Tutors: nine for aerobatic performances, including two solo aircraft, and two spares, flown by the team coordinators.

 Additionally, 13 are maintained in storage. Approximately 80 Canadian Forces personnel work with the squadron full-time; 24 personnel are in the show team that travels during the show season. 

The Snowbirds are the only major military aerobatics team that operates without a support aircraft.

The Snowbirds continue the flying demonstration tradition of previous Canadian Air Force Aerobatic teams, which include the Siskins, the Blue Devils, the Golden Hawks, and the Golden Centennaires.

Presently, the Canadian Forces (CF) Snowbirds, 431 Air Demonstration Squadron are a Canadian icon comprised of Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) members and National Defence Public Service employees.

Pilots, technicians (aviation, avionics, aircraft structure, supply), mobile support operators, resource management support clerks, an engineering officer, a logistics officer and a public affairs officer representing all three elements (Army, Navy and Air Force), work as a team to bring thrilling performances to the Canadian public. 

Serving as ambassadors of the CAF, the CF Snowbirds demonstrate the high level of skill, professionalism, teamwork, discipline and dedication inherent in the men and women of the CAF and they inspire the pursuit of excellence wherever they go in North America.

431 Squadron has flown the following aircraft at various points of time: Vickers Wellington, Handley-Page Halifax, Avro Lancaster, Canadair (North American) F-86 Sabre.

The Commemorative Coin:

The Reverse of the $50 (Fifty Canadian Dollars) of the Silver Coins with selective Gold Plating  is inspired by a photograph of the Snowbirds taken during one of their Air-shows.

 It features a highly detailed view of the topside of Snowbird 9 and bottom-side of Snowbird 8 revealing the signature speedbird design that was introduced by the team in 1974. 

To the upper-right of the primary design is the inscription "SNOWBIRDS 50" in celebration of the 50th Anniversary of the team (1971-2021).

The coins exhibit selective gold plating on both sides to highlight particular elements of the design including the rim and effigy of  QE II. 

The Obverse of the $50 (Fifty Canadian Dollars) of the Silver Coins with selective Gold Plating shows the denomination of Coin "50 DOLLARS" is placed on the lower periphery. 

The peripheral inscriptions read - "ELIZABETH II. D.G.REGINA." (meaning "Elizabeth II. By the Grace of God Queen")

Behind the portrait of Queen Elizabeth II is a decorative pattern of a repeated design element taken from the official "Snowbirds 50" logo.  

The specifications of this Coin are:

Country of issue: Canada; Year: 2021; Denomination/Face Value: $50 (Fifty Dollars); Metal Composition: .9999 Fineness Silver (Ag); Weight: 157.6 grams; Diameter/Size: 65.25 mm; Coin Quality: Proof with Gold Plating; Mintage: 1,000 pieces; Presentation Box/Case: Yes; Certificate of Authenticity (COA): Yes; Designer (Reverse) - Dave O’Malley. Design inspiration: Photo taken by Canadian aviation photographer Mike Reyno.

Remarks: 

- Each $50 coin is individually encapsulated and presented in a Royal Canadian Mint-branded custom case to accommodate its larger diameter and is accompanied by a Certificate of Authenticity (COA) and black outer protective box. 

For other interesting posts on the Coins and Banknotes of Canada, please visit the following links:

1) Coins of Canada, minted by the Royal Canadian Mint

2) Canada 150: Celebrating Canada's sesquicentennial in 2017: Issue of 5 circulation coins to celebrate the milestone

3) Banknotes and coins of Denmark (Part II): Also contains a brief about the Skuldelev Viking ships

4) Viking Ships: 3 Coin Series from the Royal Canadian Mint: First coin in the Series: $20 Silver Coin titled "Northern Fury" released in January 2018

5) Viking Ships: Second Coin in the Series: $20 Silver coin titled "Viking Voyage" released in February 2018:

6) Viking Ships: Third Coin in the Series: $20 Silver Coin titled "Dragon Ship" released in March 2018

 7) Inuksuk: Iconic Canada: A $20 Gold Plated Silver Coin issued by the Royal Canadian Mint in January 2018

8) Canadian Institute for the Blind (CNIB): 100th Anniversary: A set of Silver coin of $30 and a Medallion issued by the Royal Canadian Mint on 21st March 2018

9) "Keepers of  Parliament" Coin Series, Canada: The first coin in the 10 Oz selectively Gold Plated Silver Coin Series features the Unicorn, issued in June 2018

10) "Pacific Sunset": Canadian Coasts Square 3 Coin Series: The first $3 Silver-Gold plated Coin issued by the Royal Canadian Mint on 04.07.2018

11) "Keepers of the Parliament" Coin Series, Canada: The second coin in the 10 Oz. selectively Gold-plated Silver Coin features the "Beaver", issued by the Royal Canadian Mint, in August 2018

12) "Centre Block of Parliament Buildings" (3 Cents Postage Stamp commemorating Canada's Diamond Jubilee issued on 29.06.1927) depicted on a rectangular stamp shaped coin: First Coin in a 3-Stamp Series from Royal Canadian Mint, which recreate some of the most memorable stamps of the early 20th Century

13) "True North": Canadian Coasts Square 3-Coin Series: The second $3 Silver-Gold plated Coin issued by the Royal Canadian Mint in August 2018

14) "Atlantic Coves": Canadian Coasts Square 3 Coin Series: The third $3 Silver-Gold plated Coin issued by the Royal Canadian Mint in September 2018

15) The Salmon Run, Canada: A rectangular $25 Silver Coin minted by the Royal Canadian Mint, Canada to highlight this natural annual event which attracts several predators, including Grizzly Bears and Eagles (2018)

16) Viola Desmond, Civil Rights Activist and the first Canadian woman to feature on a circulation Banknote: A $10 Polymer Banknote issued bt the Bank of Canada on 19.11.2018: Canada's first vertically oriented Banknote issuedby the Bank of Canada on 19.11.2018

17) 90th Anniversary of the Armistice of 1918: A Commemorative Circulation 25 Cents coin issued by the Royal Canadian Mint, Ottawa in 2008

18) Canada's Vikings of Vinland: The Viking Age: "Norse Gods" 3-Coin Series:The first 20 Dollars Silver Coin (with selective Gold plating) issued by the Royal Canadian Mint

19) Hornby Island, British Columbia, Canada: Trade tokens & Pins: introduced in 2018, with a second edition issued in 2019:

20) "Marvel of Avian Flight", Canada: A three Silver Coin Seriestitled - "Majestic Birds in Motion" being brought out by the Royal Canadian Mint featuring the Canadian Geese, the Greathorned Owl and the Golden Eagles: First Coin issue date: 25.07.2019

21) Northern Lights over Parliament Hill, Canada, revealed through Black Light Technology: A 20 Dollars Silver, Proof Coin with applied colour issued by the Royal Canadian Mint (RCM) on 06.08.2019

22) Centennial Flame Monument on Parliament Hill, Canada: A Double Crown Sized Silver 50 Dollars Coin issued by the Royal Canadian Mint: Coin issue date: 2019

23) "Canadian Horse", Canada: Royal Mint Canada issues a 20 Dollars Gold and Black Rhodium plated Silver Proof Coin: Year of issue marked as 2020:

24) Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice: A $20 (Twenty Canadian Dollars) Silver Coin issued by the Royal Canadian Mint: Coin issue date/year: 2016

25) Red Maple Coin, Canada: "Maple Leaf Annual Coin Series" from the Royal Canadian Mint (RAM): A $10 (10 Dollars) Silver coin issued in 2019

26) "Canadian Fun and festivities" Coin series, Canada: This 3 Dollars Silver Coin, minted by the Royal Canadian Mint, features bringing home a Christmas "Cut-your-own-Tree" from the Wild:

27) Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), Canada: Centenary Anniversary (1920-2020): Silver Piedfort Bullion 10 Dollar Coins commemorate the milestone

28) "Franklin's Lost Expedition", Canada: 175th Anniversary of the unsuccessful voyage for the discovery of the North-west passage in the Arctic resulting in the loss of both ships - HMS Erebus & HMS Franklin: Year of Coin issue: 2020

29) "Hudson's Bay Company", Canada: 350th Anniversary of its establishment (1670-2020): Second Coin issued in the "Moments to Hold Coin Series": A 5 Dollars Silver Coin brought out by the Royal Canadian Mint (RCM): Date of Coin issue: 05/2020

30) Bill Reid (1920-1998), Haida Artist, Canada: 100th Anniversary (1920-2020) of the Birth of the Haida Artist IIluwas, known as Bill Reid: Commemorative $2, $1, 20 Cents, 10 Cents & 5 Cents Coins & $200 (Gold) Coins issued by the Royal Canadian Mint: Yeat: 2020

31) North-west Territories, Canada: 150th Anniversary (1870-2020): A $30 (Thirty Canadian Dollars) Silver Proof Coin minted by the Royal Canadian Mint, celebrates the milestone: Year of Coin issue: 2020

32) An "Inuk" and a Quilliq", Canada: New 1/20 Ounce $10 Coins minted in Arctic Gold by the Royal Canadian Mint symbolise cultural diversity in Canada and features deeply symbolic elements that are important expressions of Inuit identity: Year of Coin issue: 2020

33) Klondike Gold Rush, Canada: 125th Anniversary (1895-2020): Commemorative Gold Coins issued by the Royal Dutch Mint in the denominations of $50, $10, $5 and $1: Date of Coin issue: 2020 (with year of issue engraved as 2021)

34) The Four Winds: Pathfinders in Canada: A 14 piece Silver Coin Puzzle Set (Centre-piece - $50, 13 Puzzle pieces - $20 each) depict famous Canadian Pathfinders, Cartographers and Chroniclers over 1,000 year of Canadian history: Puzzle Set minted by the Royal Canadian Mint: Date of Coin Puzzle set issue:13.10.2020

35) "Forever Mark Diamond", Canada: A $500 (Five Hundred Dollars) Gold Coin in the shape of a Diamond, with a Forevermark Black Label 0.20 ct. Diamond embedded in it: Year of Coin issue: 2020

36) The Shag Harbour Incident, Canada: The second $20 Silver Proof Coin in the Coin Series titled - "Canada's Unexplained Phenomena", issued by the Royal Canadian Mint recalling the unexplained phenomenon: Year of Coin issue: 2019

37) i) "Trans-Canadian Railway", Canada: "The First 100 Years of Confederation Coin Series": The Royal Canadian Mint has issued the first Silver $50 Coin in the three coin Series depicting the Railway: Date of Coin issue: 12.01.2021

37) ii) "Steamship Travel", Canada: "The First 100 Years of Confederation Coin Series": The Royal Canadian Mint has issued the second Silver $50 Coin in the three coin Series depicting the "Steamship travel by Sea": Date of Coin issue: 02.03.2021

38) The story of "Black Loyalists" in Canada: A Legacy of Courage: A $20 (Twenty Canadian Dollars) Silver Coin issued by the Royal Canadian Mint: Year of Coin Release: 2021

39) "Thanatotheristes degrootorum" ("Reaper of Death"), Canada: "Discovering Dinosaurs" Coin Series: A $20 (Twenty Canadian Dollars) Silver Coin issued by the Royal Canadian Mint: Year of Coin issue: 2021

40) "Ramming Bighorn Sheep Art", Canada: The Royal Canadian Mint (RCM) Canada has brought out a contemporary Wildlife portrait done in the distinct Northwest Coast Art Style featured on a 200 Dollars Gold Coin: Year of Coin Release: 2021

41) "The Avro CF-105 Arrow", Canada: The Royal Canadian Mint (RCM) Canada has brought out a $20 (Twent Dollars - Canadian) celebrating this Supersonic Interceptor Aviation Marvel (1953-1959), which was built in Canada: Year of Coin Release: 2021

42) $2 Coin, "Toonie", Canada: 25th Anniversary of "Toonie" $2 Coin (introduced in 1996) celebrated with Silver Coin paired with the legacy replacement $2 Banknote set released by the Royal Canadian Mint: Year of Coin & Banknote set issued: 2021

43) "The Bluenose", Canada: Centenary Anniversary (1921-2021): Royal Canadian Mint (RCM) has brought out a $100 Gold Coin celebrating the milestone of the iconic schooner: Year of Coin issue: 2021

44) "Super Incused Maple Leaf", Canada: 25th Anniversary of the Maple Leaf being designated as the Arboreal Emblem of Canada: Royal Canadian Mint (RCM) has brought out the World's first Super-incused Silver Bullion Coins with a deep incuse strike: Year of Coin issue: 2021

45) "Snowbirds Aerial Aerobatics Squadron", Canada: 50th Anniversary of its formation (1971-2021):A $50 (Fifty Dollars - Canadian) Silver Coin with selective Gold Plating, issued by the Royal Canadian Mint (RCM) celebrating the milestone: Date/Year of Coin issue: 2021

Early Canadian History Coin Series:

1) "The Fur Trade of the Cree Peoples", Canada: Fourth $200 Gold Coin in the "Early Canadian History Coin Series" brought out by the Royal Canadian Mint (RCM) Year of Coin issue: 2021

Canada's Unexplained Phenomena Coin Series Posts on this blog:

1) The Shag Harbour Incident, Canada: The second $20 Silver Proof Coin in the Coin Series titled - "Canada's Unexplained Phenomena", issued by the Royal Canadian Mint recalling the unexplained phenomenon: Year of Coin issue: 2019

2) The Clarenville, N.L. Event, Canada: The third $20 Silver Proof Coin in the Coin Series titled - "Canada's Unexplained Phenomena", issued by the Royal Canadian Mint recalling this Unexplained phenomenon: Year of Coin issue: 2020