Per Ardua Ad Astra. (Through adversity to the stars)
RCAF Motto 1945

Its squadrons defended the home front. Its personnel trained more than 131,000 aircrew from Canada and other Commonwealth air forces. And its members played key roles in operational missions that continued afterV-E Day. This 14-karat gold coin salutes the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) and its Women's Division (WD) as we commemorate the 75th anniversary of V-E Day. The superbly detailed design features our saluting airman from the 2020 Proof Dollar. And while the news of the Allied victory (represented by a large "V") is met with relief, the Spitfire reminds us that the end of the warin Europe marked the start of a new chapter: the gradual transition to peace.

This 75th Anniversary of V-E Day 14-karat gold coin is a must have for your collection. Order today.

• A TRIBUTE TO CANADA'S LEGACY IN THE AIR: Our story continues! This magnificent14-karat gold tribute to the Royal Canadian Air Force is part of our 2020 V-E Day Collection—your definitive V-E Day collection. Collect them all to complete the story.
• CONTINUING FROM THE PROOF DOLLAR: The saluting airman on this coin was first introduced on the 2020 Proof Dollar (on the proof dollar, he is the silhouette on the right).
• CHAPTER 2: While the Proof Dollar celebrates the wartime contributions of all Canadians, this piece focuses on an important part of Canada's V-E Day story: the RCAF's role in events that led to V-E Day and in the months that followed.
• A VICTORY PRIVY MARK: Every coin in our 2020 V-E Day collection—including this 14-karat gold coin—is distinguished by a specialprivy mark, which was inspired by the 1945 Victory Nickel.
• HISTORIC OBVERSE: Another collection-wide feature is the obverse design, which features the effigy of the reigning monarch in 1945.
• A HOLOGRAPHIC V-E DAY DECAL: A holographic V-E Day decal extends the celebration beyond the coin and onto the beauty box. This logo is the hallmark of our 2020 V-E Day collection.
• INCLUDES SERIALIZED CERTIFICATE: Regardless of special packaging, the RoyalCanadian Mint certifies all of its collector coins.
• LIMITED WORLDWIDE MINTAGE: Your coin has a limited worldwide mintage of 1,200.

The reverse design by Canadian artist Laurie McGawfeatures three members of the Royal Canadian Air Force rejoicing on 8 May 1945 as a Spitfire flies past a "V for Victory" symbol. The obverse features the effigy of King George VI by T. H. Paget and a Victory privy mark.

• In 1939, the RCAF was the smallest of the three branches of the Canadian Armed Forces—it had just 4,153 personnel and 270 aircraft (and almost 90% of these were considered obsolete). By 1945, the RCAF hadbecome the fourth largest air force in the world.
• About 249,600 men and women served in the Royal CanadianAir Force, including 17,000 members of the Women's Division.
• In 1941, the RCAF became the first Canadian service to create a separate women's division, the Canadian Women's Auxiliary Air Force, which was re-named the RCAF Women's Division in 1942. Its members began in a few administrative trades. By the end of the war, their roles had greatly expanded, including in traditionally male domains such as repairing aircraft instruments and engines, andmaintaining safety systems; others maintained parachutes or were radio operators, weather observers or service police.
• An estimated 1,820 Canadians and Newfoundlanders also served in the Royal Air Force (RAF), including top ace George Beurling, aka "The Falcon of Malta."

Your coin is encapsulated and presented in a Royal CanadianMint-branded maroon clamshell with a black beauty box.

Order today.