Canada. Latest Silver Proof Coins Celebrate Country’s First Mission Around the Moon

It has been more than 50 years since humans have travelled beyond low Earth orbit. Artemis II builds on the success of the un-crewed Artemis I in 2022, and demonstrates a broad range of capabilities needed on deep space missions. The Artemis II test flight is NASA’s first mission with crew aboard the Space Launch System - SLS rocket and Orion spacecraft. Aboard the Artemis II spacecraft are four astronauts - Canadian Space Agency (CSA) astronaut Jeremy Hansen, mission specialist; United States NASA astronauts Victor Glover, pilot; Reid Wiseman, commander; and Christina Hammock Koch, mission specialist.

With the launch of Artemis II, Canada sends one of their own astronauts aboard NASA’s newest lunar module and becomes the second country to have an astronaut around the Moon, playing a vital role in humanity’s return to deep space and the next chapter of lunar exploration. The scientific milestone captures the excitement of a nation and the wonder felt worldwide for humanity’s long-anticipated return to the Moon, over 50 years after the United States and NASA’s Apollo program.

As one of four Artemis II crew members, Jeremy Hansen becomes the first Canadian to fly around the Moon. Lifting off on the 1st April, the nearly 10-day mission includes a first crewed test flight of the Orion spacecraft SLS rocket and the first crewed lunar mission since 1972. It is designed to journey over two million kilometres or, one million two hundred and forty thousand miles, travelling beyond the Moon. Canada earned its seat on Artemis II through its contribution of Canadarm3 to the Gateway, a small space station around the Moon. After looping around the moon, the spacecraft will use its gravity to return to Earth, with splashdown expected in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of San Diego on the 11th April at about 00:06 GMT (8:06pm ET, on the 10th April)

Designed by Canadian artist Pandora Young, the coin’s reverse celebrates Canada’s role in the United States NASA-led Artemis II mission through its depiction of a Canadian Space Agency astronaut in space, backed by an enlarged view of the Moon. Selective colour brings the astronaut’s blue-trimmed, orange-coloured Orion Crew Survival spacesuit to life, with the Canadian flag visible on the astronaut’s left shoulder. When viewed under black light, the engraved Moon in the background glows, while the iconic view of Earth from the Moon is reflected in the astronaut’s visor. 

Under normal lighting conditions, the coin presents a selectively coloured portrait of a CSA astronaut, backed by the Moon. Under black light, the coin reveals hidden details, the scene is illuminated by Moon glow, and the Earth is reflected in the astronaut’s visor. Activate the alternative view by shining the black-light flashlight which is included, on the astronaut’s visor to reveal the Earth, an iconic view the astronauts hope to witness and share from lunar orbit. The obverse side features the effigy of His Majesty King Charles III by Canadian artist Steven Rosati. The legend CHARLES III CANADA 2026 D · G · REX surrounds the effigy. The denomination 20 DOLLARS is placed just under the King’s likeness. In the background or field, is a stylised representation of the galaxy including small planets and stars in orbit.

Available from the 2nd April, The silver proof coins are encapsulated and presented in a custom case accompanied with a certificate of authenticity. For additional information, please visit the e-webshop of the Royal Canadian Mint.