The 2023 $1 commemorative circulation coin celebrates one of the most exceptional and inspiring Canadians of the 20th century: Elsie MacGill (1905-1980), aeronautical engineer and champion of women’s rights.

MacGill’s accomplishments and desire to uplift others were driven by her unrelenting belief that we can all soar higher.

Inside each Special Wrap Roll are 25 engraved-only (no colour) versions of the special-themed $1 coin, and all of them share the same reverse design that pays tribute to the exceptional Canadian once dubbed “Queen of the Hurricanes,” whose life story and achievements continue to inspire.

Good to know

Limited supply. Only 10,000 rolls are available.
All are uncirculated coins. Inside each Special Wrap Roll, all 25 coins are uncirculated and have a newly minted quality.

About Elsie MacGill

A 1942 issue of True Comics dubbed her “Queen of the Hurricanes.” As Chief Aeronautical Engineer, Elsie MacGill supervised the engineering work for the Canadian production of more than 1,450 Hawker Hurricanes for the Allied war effort – she even designed a winterized version.

Already Canada’s first practising professional woman engineer, Elsie MacGill became the first woman in North America – and possibly the world – to earn a master’s degree in aeronautical engineering. That same year (1929), she contracted polio and was told she would never walk again, but she defied expectations by learning to walk with the support of canes.

About the design

The gold-coloured coins are neatly wrapped in a white and grey wrap with gold-coloured accents. Each end shows one of the obverse or reverse.

Reverse: Collage tribute to Elsie MacGill

The $1 coin, designed by artist Claire Watson, showcases on its reverse a portrait of Elsie MacGill (1905-1980) with a variety of images that symbolize her life and career journey, including two planes, a maple leaf icon, and her likeness against a cloudy sky.

MacGill was a pioneering aeronautical engineer and an advocate for women's rights. This is symbolized by the lapel pin she is depicted wearing, which represents her roles as both the provincial (Ontario) and national president of the Canadian Federation of Business and Professional Women’s Clubs.

The sky backdrop highlights some of MacGill’s historic engineering achievements, including the Maple Leaf Trainer II (top) – the first aircraft to be produced and designed by a woman – and her key role in the wartime production of Hawker Hurricanes.

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 1952 to 2022 date of her reign. “Elizabeth II,” “Canada,” “2023” and “D G Regina” text surrounds the edge.

Product # 245963

$1 Special Wrap Roll (uncoloured) - Honouring Elsie MacGill (2023)