This 2016 $20 fine silver coin is the third and final coin
in the Aircraft of the First World War
Series. The coin artistically creates a
striking contrast using a near flawless proof finish and selective colour. The coin pays tribute to the Curtiss Model H-12 flying boat, which
was flown by Canadian aircrew serving in the Royal Naval Air Service (RNAS)
during their anti-submarine and anti-zeppelin patrols over the North Sea. The coin weighs just over one ounce of
pure silver, and has a limited mintage of 7,500 coins. As a pure silver coin struck by the Royal Canadian Mint,
this item is HST/GST exempt.
The design
by Canadian artist David A. Oram features an engraved rendering of the fateful
encounter on May 14, 1917, between a Curtiss H-12 in the foreground, and the
Zeppelin L-22. Heavy cloud cover is evident in the
engraved background, where a break in the clouds reveals the North Sea below.
In the foreground, selective colour recreates the light colours of the H-12
piloted by Flight Sub-Lieutenant (later Air Marshal) Robert Leckie of Toronto,
with an attention to detail that is made evident by the inclusion of the
identifying number “8666” and the blue, white and red stripes and roundels used
by the Royal Naval Air Service. The detailed engraving only adds to this, recreating
the smooth lines of the H-12’s laminated wood veneer hull and sponsons, all
while capturing the finer details on the wings and the twin mounted engines in
the interplane gap. With two crew members manning the aircraft’s front and
mid-ship guns, the H-12 banks away from the L-22 after opening fire. The
engraved zeppelin can be seen with its rear exploding into flames, mere moments
before the L-22 becomes the first zeppelin shot down by a flying boat.