Description:
CANADA – 1 DOLLAR 1988 – 250TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE SAINT-MAURICE IRONWORKS – 0.500 Silver Coin

This commemorative 1 Canadian Dollar coin was issued in 1988 by the Royal Canadian Mint in Ottawa to celebrate the 250th anniversary (1738–1988) of the Forges du Saint-Maurice (Saint-Maurice Ironworks), Canada’s first iron foundry.

Numismatic data:

Coin design:

Obverse (designer: Arnold Machin):
Bust of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II at age 37, wearing a tiara, facing right.
Legend: "ELIZABETH II D·G·REGINA" (Elizabeth II, Dei Gratia Regina – Elizabeth II, by the Grace of God, Queen).

Reverse (engraver: Sheldon Beveridge / designer: Robert-Ralph Carmichael):
Ironworking scene: two blacksmiths with hammers and anvil working iron.
Bilingual legends (English and French):
"LES FORGES DU SAINT-MAURICE IRONWORKS"
"CANADA 1988 DOLLAR"
"RRC" (possibly the designer’s initials or mint mark)

📌 Historical context – Saint-Maurice Ironworks (Forges du Saint-Maurice):

• Location: On the banks of the Saint-Maurice River, near Trois-Rivières, Quebec, Canada.

• Founded: 1738 (under the French regime).

• Significance: Canada’s first iron foundry and one of the first heavy industries in North America.

• Production: Supplied iron for:

• Cannons and projectiles for the French army,

• Tools, stoves, and household utensils.

• Decline: Closed in 1883.

• Today: A National Historic Site of Canada and an open-air museum.