In an era when female journalists were often confined to writing about women's perspectives and issues, Kathleen "Kit" Blake Coleman (1856-1915) emerged as a trailblazer, paving the way for greater gender representation in Canadian newsrooms. Fondly known as "Kit" to her readers, she achieved a historic milestone over 125 years ago by becoming North America's first accredited female war correspondent. In 1904, she played a pivotal role in founding the Canadian Women's Press Club and served as its inaugural president. Later, she also earned the distinction of becoming Canada's first syndicated woman columnist.

The 2023 Proof Dollar pays tribute to the remarkable "Kit" Coleman, and you'll discover an enhanced rendition of her image within this seven-piece coin set.

Good to know

99.99% pure silver coins
Special Kathleen “Kit” Coleman coin is silver with gold plating
Includes serialized certificate
No GST or HST
Limited supply
Qualifies for free shipping

About Kathleen “Kit” Coleman

Kit first joined the Toronto Daily Mail as a women’s editor in 1889 to support herself and her two young children. Her weekly, seven-column “Woman’s Kingdom” page featured a mix of observations and advice, thought-provoking articles and travel writings. Coleman was known to go undercover in other cities, such as London and San Francisco, to write about social issues and the plight of the poor. Though her travel writings were curtailed after the Mail merged with the Empire in 1895, Kit was dispatched to London in 1897 to cover Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee. While there, she spent time with Sir Wilfrid Laurier, then the prime minister of Canada (and reportedly an avid reader of Coleman’s column).

In 1898, during the Spanish-American War, Coleman became North America’s first accredited woman war correspondent. While she was authorized to accompany American troops in Cuba, her male colleagues and the army commanders on the ground were opposed to the idea of having a woman in their midst, and they prevented her travel. Stranded in Florida, she eventually landed in Cuba in July 1898; while she had missed the main battles, her accounts of the war’s aftermath made her internationally famous.

About the seven-piece set

In 2023, Canada Post presented a tribute to Kathleen “Kit” Coleman with an issue of coins that reflect her life and career history. This Pure Silver Proof Set features seven coins.

Crafted with meticulous care, each coin in the set spans all denominations. The special Kit Coleman $1 silver and gold-plated coin and the $2, $1, 50¢, 25¢, 10¢ and 5¢ coins are meticulously fashioned from 99.99% pure silver. However, the true standout of this collection is undoubtedly "Kit" Coleman herself, whose portrait graces the gold-plated collage on the reverse of the special $1 coin.

The full tribute set includes the Pure Silver Proof Dollar, Pure Silver Proof Set, $100 Pure Gold Coin and the Special Edition Silver Dollar Proof Set.

About the design

Your fine silver proof set is presented in Royal Canadian Mint-branded book-style packaging with a removable lens for easy viewing. Enhanced with gold plating, all seven coins in this set are 99.99% pure silver, including the selectively gold-plated Proof Dollar—a set exclusive. The coin’s silhouette collage (reverse), rim and effigy (obverse) are all plated with gold for an added touch of luxury.

A design within a design, the silhouette collage on the coin’s reverse captures key moments in the journalist’s life—from the office of the Toronto newspapers that published her columns from 1889 to 1911, to the vintage typewriter that represents her legacy and impact on journalism.

Obverse: Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II

The obverse features the effigy of Queen Elizabeth II by Susanna Blunt. The obverse also bears a special marking that includes four pearls symbolizing the four effigies that have graced Canadian coins and the double date of her reign.

Reverse: Kathleen “Kit” Coleman tribute

Designed by Canadian artist Pandora Young, the Proof Dollar’s reverse features a silhouette of journalist Kathleen “Kit” Blake Coleman (1856-1915) holding an open notebook and pen. Within that silhouette are various elements that represent her life and career (from top to bottom): The Mail and Empire building in Toronto, Ont.; SS Circassian, the passenger ship that brought the Irish-born writer to Canada in 1884; a partial map of the Atlantic Ocean, to represent Coleman’s travels and dispatches; a view of Coleman writing at her desk; and a vintage typewriter that symbolizes her legacy and impact on Canadian journalism.

Product # 245896

Pure Silver Proof Set - Kathleen "Kit" Coleman: Pioneer Journalist (2023)