150th anniversary of the Supreme Court - 1 dollar 2025
By thecanadiannumismatist | Thursday, 10 April 2025
150 years after the Supreme Court of Canada’s founding as Canada’s general court of appeal, the Royal Canadian Mint has issued a $1 circulation coin commemorating this institution’s independent role in upholding and interpreting our nation’s laws and constitution, and protecting the rights and freedoms of Canadians.
This coin featuring the exterior of the landmark building housing the only bijural and bilingual apex court in the world, was unveiled at a ceremony held within the Supreme Court in Ottawa. It will begin circulating as of today.
The reverse of this coin, designed by Ontario artist Silvia Pecota, features the façade of the Supreme Court of Canada, whose front steps are overlaid with the Court’s 150th anniversary logo.
On the coloured coin, the logo appears as a blue circle bearing the inscription 150 in white in the centre, framed by a white laurel branch at the bottom left it and the dates 1875–2025 at the top right. The inscriptions SUPREME COURT OF CANADA and COUR SUPRÊME DU CANADA appear on either side of this image.
Supreme Court of Canada Building
The home of the Supreme Court of Canada is located just west of Parliament Hill in Ottawa. Designed by Ernest Cormier, construction began in 1939. Due to the Second World War, it wasn’t until 1946 that the Court took possession of the building and heard its first case there. Today, it is not only a place of legal importance; the building is a symbol of Canada's commitment to justice and serving Canadians.
Justitia and Veritas
Two bronze statues stand outside the Supreme Court of Canada building, Justitia and Veritas (Latin for Justice and Truth). The statues were created by Walter S. Allward, the same artist who designed and sculpted the Canadian National Vimy Memorial in France. Stored and forgotten for almost 50 years, the statues were only installed in their current location in 1970.
Commemorative Logo
The Supreme Court of Canada’s 150th commemorative logo is derived from the Court’s historic badge known as the Cormier Emblem which, like the Supreme Court of Canada building itself, was created by Montréal architect Ernest Cormier. Here are what the elements of the logo express:
- Laurels: Signify growth, with new leaves symbolizing the Court’s continuous development and expansion into future generations. The nine laurel leaves represent the nine judges of the Supreme Court of Canada.
- Double dates (1875 – 2025): Commemorate the 150th anniversary of the Court’s creation. The Supreme Court of Canada was officially established as the highest court in the country when it was enshrined by the Supreme Court Act, 1875.
- Interwoven 150 numerals: Symbolize the dualities of bijuralism and bilingualism (the Court hears and decides cases from Canada’s two legal traditions and in both official languages) that make Canada’s top court the only bilingual and bijural apex court in the world. The shapes of the numbers reflect both the Court’s crest and its heraldic traditions.
The obverse features the effigy of His Majesty King Charles III, designed by Steven Rosati.
The Royal Canadian Mint cherishes its unique ability to circulate coins that celebrate the values that are most dear to Canada and Canadians, and that includes honouring the institutions that protect our rights as Canadian citizens.
We are very proud to recognize the Supreme Court of Canada which, after impartially and independently upholding the rule of law and the constitutional order for the last 150 years, has given Canadians the immense privilege of living in a society that aspires to freedom, fairness and equality.
- Marie Lemay, President and CEO of the Royal Canadian Mint
The British North America Act, 1867, first national constitution, defined Canada’s current judicial system and instructed the federal Parliament to create a General Court of Appeal for Canada. This led to the creation of the Supreme Court of Canada in 1875.
The Supreme Court of Canada is the world’s only bilingual and bijural final court of appeal. Its nine justices representing the Atlantic region, Quebec, Ontario, western and northern Canada, hear and decide cases in both English and French, and apply the law according to common law and civil law legal traditions.
The Supreme Court of Canada is a strong pillar of Canada's democracy. Its nine independent judges decide the country’s most important legal questions with fairness and integrity.
We are gratified to know that as these beautiful $1 coins circulate across the country, Canadians may develop a deeper appreciation of the Supreme Court’s role as guardian of our Constitution and the Charter of Rights and Freedoms.
- Richard Wagner, Chief Justice of Canada
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