Aviation - First Series (1990-1994) - 10 Coins
The first fifty years of powered flight in Canada represent a courageous saga mixed with fortitude and good fortune.
The early airplane was a plaything for adventurous adults. Competitions and air shows would draw thousands of curious spectators, providing them with their first opportunity to see the new flying machines. Daring young flyers would astound onlookers by buzzing the skylines and high-rises of their time. Accidents were plentiful but, ironically, deaths were few, even though the inexperienced aviators knew little of the science of flight.
The pioneers of aviation included more than jsut pilots. Many invetnors, engineers, and hobbyists worked in garages and barns across the country for their chance to soar through the air. Though many made contributions to the evolution of the airplane, for the msot part, the only reward they received for their efforts and self-sacrifice was the satisfaction of having tried their best.
Later, passenger air service would unite family and friends across the immense nation. Journeys that used to take a week could now be completed in hours. The efforts, resources and determination devoted to opening this huge and harsh country through the devleopment of aviation cannot be forgotten. Though the railroad may have tied the country together, the airplane was responsible for bringing Canadians closer.
The early airplane was a plaything for adventurous adults. Competitions and air shows would draw thousands of curious spectators, providing them with their first opportunity to see the new flying machines. Daring young flyers would astound onlookers by buzzing the skylines and high-rises of their time. Accidents were plentiful but, ironically, deaths were few, even though the inexperienced aviators knew little of the science of flight.
The pioneers of aviation included more than jsut pilots. Many invetnors, engineers, and hobbyists worked in garages and barns across the country for their chance to soar through the air. Though many made contributions to the evolution of the airplane, for the msot part, the only reward they received for their efforts and self-sacrifice was the satisfaction of having tried their best.
Later, passenger air service would unite family and friends across the immense nation. Journeys that used to take a week could now be completed in hours. The efforts, resources and determination devoted to opening this huge and harsh country through the devleopment of aviation cannot be forgotten. Though the railroad may have tied the country together, the airplane was responsible for bringing Canadians closer.
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1990 The Lancaster
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1990 Avro Anson & the Harvard
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1991 A.E.A. Silver Dart
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1991 de Havilland Beaver
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1992 de Havilland Gyspy Moth
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1992 The Curtiss JN4
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1993 Lockheed Super Electra
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1993 Fairchild 71C
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1994 Canadian Vickers Vedette
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1994 The Curtis HS-2L
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Summary of Aviation Series 1 Coins
| Year | Theme | Mintage | Face Value | Composition | Notes |
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| 1990 | Avro Anson/North American Harvard | 41,844 | $20 | Sterling Silver | Aviation, Series 1 Coin 1 |
| 1990 | Avro Lancaster | 43,596 | $20 | Sterling Silver | Aviation, Series 1 Coin 2 |
| 1991 | A.E.A. Silver Dart | 35,202 | $20 | Sterling Silver | Aviation, Series 1 Coin 3 |
| 1991 | de Havilland Canada Beaver | 36,197 | $20 | Sterling Silver | Aviation, Series 1 Coin 4 |
| 1992 | Curtiss JN-4 Canuck | 33,105 | $20 | Sterling Silver | Aviation, Series 1 Coin 5 |
| 1992 | de Havilland Gipsy Moth | 32,537 | $20 | Sterling Silver | Aviation, Series 1 Coin 6 |
| 1993 | Fairchild 71C | 32,550 | $20 | Sterling Silver | Aviation, Series 1 Coin 7 |
| 1993 | Lockheed 14 Super Electra | 32,199 | $20 | Sterling Silver | Aviation, Series 1 Coin 8 |
| 1994 | Curtiss HS-2L | 31,242 | $20 | Sterling Silver | Aviation, Series 1 Coin 9 |
| 1994 | Canadian Vickers Vedette | 30,880 | $20 | Sterling Silver | Aviation, Series 1 Coin 10 |
Aviation - Second Series (1995-1999) - 10 Coins
Canada pre-war aircraft manufacturing industry was small and faced an enormous challenge on the eve of World War II. Eventually, it produced over 15,000 aircraft, many to be used as trainers in the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan (BCATP). The BCATP inspired U.S. President Franklin Roosevelt's famous description of Canada as "the aerodrome of democracy" and became the world's largest and most successful scheme to train aircrews for military service. Almost overnight, the plan produced airfields all across Canada, many of them still in use today, and helped create a modern, mass-produced aircraft industry in this country.
The modern era of air transport in northern Canada beganin earnest during the 1950's driven by a resource exploration and development boom and the building of the distant early warning radar system for the military. Modern bush pilots continued on in the best traditions of their predecessors, operating from dirt runways or landing "off strip" on the frozen tundra in aircraft equipped with skis or high floatation "balloon" tires.
Since aviation's early years, Canadians have been devoted to opening up and defending this huge and rugged land, taking leading roles as flyers, designers, and builders of aircraft.
The modern era of air transport in northern Canada beganin earnest during the 1950's driven by a resource exploration and development boom and the building of the distant early warning radar system for the military. Modern bush pilots continued on in the best traditions of their predecessors, operating from dirt runways or landing "off strip" on the frozen tundra in aircraft equipped with skis or high floatation "balloon" tires.
Since aviation's early years, Canadians have been devoted to opening up and defending this huge and rugged land, taking leading roles as flyers, designers, and builders of aircraft.
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1995 DHC1 Chipmunk
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1995 Fleet 80 Canuck
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1996 Avro Canada CF105 Arrow
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1996 Avro Canada CF100 Canuck
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1997 Canadair CT114 Tutor Jet
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1997 Canadair F86 Sabre Fern
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1998 Canadair CP107 Argus
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1998 Canadair CL215 Waterbomber
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1999 de Havilland DHC6 Twin Otter
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1999 de Havilland DHC8 Dash
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Summary of Aviation Series 2 Coins
| Year | Theme | Mintage | Face Value | Composition | Notes |
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| 1995 | Fleet 80 Canuck | 17,438 | $20 | Sterling Silver | Aviation, Series 2 Coin 1 |
| 1995 | DHC-1 Chipmunk | 17,722 | $20 | Sterling Silver | Aviation, Series 2 Coin 2 |
| 1996 | Avro Canada CF-100 Canuck | 18,508 | $20 | Sterling Silver | Aviation, Series 2 Coin 3 |
| 1996 | Avro Canada CF-105 Arrow | 27,163 | $20 | Sterling Silver | Aviation, Series 2 Coin 4 |
| 1997 | F-86 Sabre | 16,440 | $20 | Sterling Silver | Aviation, Series 2 Coin 5 |
| 1997 | Canadair CT-114 Tutor Jet | 18,414 | $20 | Sterling Silver | Aviation, Series 2 Coin 6 |
| 1998 | CP-107 Argus | 14,711 | $20 | Sterling Silver | Aviation, Series 2 Coin 7 |
| 1998 | Canadian CL-215 Water Bomber | 15,237 | $20 | Sterling Silver | Aviation, Series 2 Coin 8 |
| 1999 | de Havilland DHC-6 Twin Otter | 14,173 | $20 | Sterling Silver | Aviation, Series 2 Coin 9 |
| 1999 | de Havilland DHC-8 Dash 8 | 14,138 | $20 | Sterling Silver | Aviation, Series 2 Coin 10 |
