To the Moon and Back

The Royal Canadian Mint has launched a $20 silver coin in honor of the Artemis II moon mission. The colorful .9999-fine silver coin celebrates the lunar expedition, on which Canadian Space Agency (CSA) astronaut Jeremy Hansen became the first Canadian to fly around the moon.

The Artemis II Mission

In the first return to the moon since the end of the Apollo program in 1972, the Artemis II mission is the first crewed flight to illustrate National Aeronautics and Space Administration’s (NASA) human deep space capabilities. Set to return to Earth today, the crew conducted a flyby of the moon, becoming the first humans to see and photograph the lunar far side. The goal of the mission was to test new technologies and operations to ensure the success of future space missions. It is a crucial step toward eventually sending astronauts to Mars.

The crew aboard the Orion spacecraft includes mission specialist Hansen, along with commander Reid Wiseman, pilot Victor Glover, and mission specialist Christina Koch from the NASA Astronaut Corps.

The Coin

Artist Pandora Young designed the reverse, which depicts a CSA astronaut in an Orion Crew Survival System spacesuit, with a Canadian flag patch on their right shoulder. An enlarged engraving of the moon appears in the background. When viewed under black light, the moon glows, and a reflection of Earth appears in the astronaut’s helmet. Steven Rosati’s effigy of King Charles III is featured on the obverse.

Limited to a mintage of 7,500, the coin is available on the mint’s website for CA$279.95. (US$200.28)