The RCAF: Commemorating 100 years of going above and beyond. Order your 2024 proof dollar today!

Since its creation in 1924, the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) has evolved into a storied national institution, one that has played a pivotal role in our nation’s history and in the skies above. Building on the foundations laid by Canadian pilots in the First World War, the fledgling RCAF first distinguished itself through its civil air operations, pioneering the use of aircraft for fighting forest fires and contributing to the mapping of Canada. When Canada’s Air Force stepped onto the world’s stage during the Second World War, the RCAF quickly made a name for itself at home and abroad, propelled forward by the war and peacetime contributions of its members.

Whether participating in air defence, Arctic patrols, NATO training, humanitarian flights, natural disaster relief, peacekeeping operations or search-and-rescue efforts or even providing space power support to the Canadian Armed Forces, Canada’s Air Force continues to defend Canada’s air space, saving lives, helping people at home and abroad, and serving Canada.

The 2024 Fine Silver Proof Dollar honours the RCAF’s history and legacy during its centennial year (“1924 2024”).

In 2024, we look to the skies and commemorate the RCAF’s 100 years of service.

Good to know

Commemorate the RCAF Centennial. In 2024, we look to the skies to commemorate the Royal Canadian Air Force’s (RCAF) 100 years of service, at home and abroad. The RCAF Centennial is an opportunity to honour the history and heritage of Canada’s Air Force and to recognize its members’ contributions to military and civil aviation, national security, international peace and their service to Canada.

A new year of collecting takes off. One of the earliest releases, the annual Fine Silver Proof Dollar is our flagship collector coin and one of the year’s most anticipated collectibles. In 2024, it marks the start of Canada’s year-long commemoration of our national air force’s centennial.

A design that tells a story. The collage on your coin’s reverse design is the product of a close collaboration between the Royal Canadian Mint, the Royal Canadian Air Force and the artist, Jason Bouwman, who also designed the 2009 Anniversary of Flight in Canada proof dollar.

Discover the symbolism. A century of RCAF history is visually represented by the wealth of elements appearing on the coin’s reverse; together, these form a powerful and captivating design that draws the viewer in and invites them to discover the meaning behind all of these symbolic images.

Special frosting. From the laser-engraved RCAF tartan to the brilliant relief, a mix of carefully executed frostings make the engraved design come alive.

For the love of the hobby and RCAF history. This fine silver proof dollar is truly a must-have for many collectors, especially aircraft enthusiasts. It also makes a great gift for family and friends who serve or have served in the Royal Canadian Air Force.

Limited mintage. Only 35,000 coins are available to collectors worldwide.

Also available: The 2024 Fine Silver Proof Set features a special, selectively rose-gold plated version of the RCAF Centennial proof dollar.

Includes serialized certificate. The Royal Canadian Mint certifies all of its collector coins.

No GST/HST

Did you know?

One of the RCAF’s predecessors, the Canadian Air Force, was granted permission to use the (British) Royal Air Force’s Blue Ensign in 1921 and was extended to the RCAF upon its formation on April 1, 1924. Since 1946, RCAF aircraft have been marked with a distinctly Canadian design: the RCAF roundel featuring a red maple leaf.

Behind closed doors

I've always had a love for military aircraft and an admiration for the aviators who flew them. My father's stories of the allied planes flying over his homeland of Holland during the Second World War captured my young imagination and he used to take me to the airshow in Toronto each Labour Day weekend. I loved the roar, the power, the speed and the aerobatics. I dreamed of flying jets one day. I got as far as the local airfield for a discovery flight but what I discovered was that piloting jets was not going to happen for me. My passion shifted to model building and drawing. My bedroom and my portfolio were soon full of military aircraft. Since then, my "flying career" has been limited to weekend hops with pilot friends and commercial air travel, but I was honoured to contribute a design that celebrates the rich history of the RCAF and the advances it has made on "the pathway to the stars."

–Jason Bouwman, Artist

Capturing the Royal Canadian Air Force’s 100-year history on a 36 mm coin was no easy feat. Through a wonderful collaboration with artist Jason Bouwman and the Royal Canadian Air Force, we arrived at this exciting and engaging collage that simultaneously tells the story of the RCAF’s century of service, and commemorates this milestone year.

– Matt Eggink, RCM Product Manager

About the design

Your Fine Silver Proof Dollar is encapsulated and presented in a black Royal Canadian Mint-branded clamshell with a black beauty box.

Reverse: Royal Canadian Air Force Centennial

Designed by artist Jason Bouwman, the Force’s history and aviation fleet are represented by four significant aircraft (from left to right): the De Havilland DH-82C Tiger Moth symbolizes the RCAF’s early years; the McDonnell Douglas CF-188 Hornet represents its fighter fleet; the Lockheed CC-130 Hercules represents its fixed-wing aircraft fleet; and the Boeing Vertol CH-147 Chinook, its helicopter fleet. Three of the aircraft leave a contrail behind that begins to form the RCAF tartan; however, all four aircraft are connected to the Royal Canadian Air Force roundel, with the skyborne maple leaf (centre) representing Canada’s Air Force. The RCAF’s future and its space division are represented by the planets and orbital rings, with the two outermost rings running across the maple leaf to represent the centennial years “1924” and “2024” (and all that has been achieved between these centennial dates); the stars honour the RCAF’s current inspirational motto, Sic Itur ad Astra (“Such is the pathway to the stars”). At the bottom, the flaming parrot tulip (representing “Rescue”) is one of four tulip bulb types specially selected to commemorate the RCAF’s Centennial in gardens across Canada and at the Canadian Tulip Festival in 2024.

Obverse: His Majesty King Charles III

The obverse features the effigy of His Majesty King Charles III by Canadian artist Steven Rosati.

Product # 246013

Pure Silver Proof Dollar - 100th Anniversary of the Royal Canadian Air Force (2024)