Canada: 2022 $20 Celebrating Oscar Peterson 1 oz Pure Silver Coin

Canada: 2022 $20 Celebrating Oscar Peterson 1 oz Pure Silver Coin

Design: Designed by Canadian artist Valentine De Landro, the reverse celebrates the life and legacy of Oscar Peterson (1925-2007), one of the greatest pianists of all time. It features a depiction of the musician seated at his piano, playing his powerful civil rights anthem Hymn to Freedom, while musical notes and chord symbols from that piece also appear in the design. The obverse features the effigy of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II by Susanna Blunt.

Take a close look at the coin design—notice the bracelet on Oscar Peterson’s wrist? Peterson was rarely seen without his gold identification bracelet, which was a gift from Fred Astaire after they recorded the 1953 album, The Astaire Story. In addition to his own recordings, Peterson appeared on hundreds of albums by other legendary artists, including Duke Ellington, who referred to him as the “Maharaja of the keyboard.”

Oscar Peterson composed Hymn to Freedom in 1962, and the instrumental song is the last track on his 1963 album, Night Train. After the album’s release, lyrics were added and the song was adopted as an anthem of the civil rights movement in the United States. It continues to be performed by concert bands and choirs worldwide, and in 2009, it was played at former U.S. President Barack Obama’s first inauguration—a testament to the song’s lasting power and emotional resonance.

Mintage: 5,000

Composition: 99.99% pure silver

Finish: Proof

Weight (g): 31.39

Diameter (mm): 38

Edge: Serrated

Face value: $20

Artist: Valentine De Landro (reverse), Susanna Blunt (obverse)

Packaging: Your coin is encapsulated and presented in a Royal Canadian Mint-branded clamshell with a black beauty box.