Remembering their service with gratitude.

The final phase of the Second World War in Europe brought the First Canadian Army to the Netherlands (1944-45), where the Canadians fought from town to town, and sometimes, house to house, bringing freedom and relief to Dutch civilians who had endured five years of hardship and occupation. The hero’s welcome so poignantly illustrated on this 99.99% pure silver coin captures the joyous liberation celebrations that took place in the spring of 1945. Amid the excitement of the “Sweetest Spring,” a young girl’s gift of a tulip symbolizes a lasting legacy of peace, gratitude and friendship.

A fine silver symbol of the ties that bind Canada and the Netherlands.

Good to know

A tribute to those who fought and endured. This fine silver coin commemorates the 80th anniversary of the end of the Second World War in Europe (“1945-2025”) by focusing on the Liberation of the Netherlands, which was spearheaded by Canadian troops, and which resulted in a longstanding friendship between the two nations.

Captures the spirit of ’45. As Canadian soldiers moved from town to town in the spring of 1945, they were greeted by cheering crowds of liberated Dutch civilians. That celebratory spirit, and the joy of having freedom restored after five years of occupation, are captured on this coin’s reverse.

A symbol of friendship. Forged in war and adversity, the remarkable bonds of friendship that exist between Canada and the Netherlands stand strong today, and this coin’s design goes right to the heart of that historic kinship.

For the history-minded. A must-have for any history enthusiast, this 1 oz. 99.99% pure silver coin honours the sacrifices and achievements of Canada’s Second World War veterans, as well as the resilience of the people of the Netherlands.

Low mintage. Only 7,000 coins are available to collectors worldwide. Also available: a low-mintage ¼ oz. 99.99% pure gold version.

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

No GST/HST

Did you know?

May 5 is Dutch Heritage Day in Canada and Liberation Day in the Netherlands. To this day, the Dutch people continue to take part in events and acts of remembrance for the more than 7,600 Canadians who died while fighting to bring freedom to the Netherlands; and in Canada, the enduring connection between our two nations is evidenced by the thousands of tulips that bloom each spring in Ottawa—a gift from the Dutch Royal Family and the people of the Netherlands.

Behind closed doors

"It is a profound honour to have been entrusted with the task of designing this coin. My grandparents' firsthand experiences of the Second World War in Europe deeply impacted me, their stories and struggles leaving an indelible mark. With this design, I aimed to encapsulate a poignant moment: a battle-hardened Canadian soldier kneeling before a young child and her mother, graciously accepting a tulip as a token of gratitude. This scene captures the essence of acknowledgment for the sacrifices made by so many.”

- Neil Hamelin, Artist

‘’When my father was a little boy, he waved at the Canadian troops during the liberation of his – and my – hometown of Kampen, the Netherlands. This year marks the 80th anniversary of the end of the Second World War. It is a time to remember and commemorate those brave people, who sacrificed everything. This coin makes such commemoration tangible. The coin, with the beautiful Canadian maple leaf and Dutch tulips, also symbolizes the strong friendship between Canada and the Netherlands. I’m very proud to see the result, the Canadian Mint has done a remarkable job!’’

- Mrs. Margriet Vonno, Dutch Ambassador in Ottawa

About the design

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

Designed by Canadian artist Neil Hamelin, your coin features a view of the Liberation of the Netherlands in the spring of 1945. A procession of Canadian soldiers in wartime manufactured Canadian Military Pattern (CMP) vehicles can be seen rolling into a Dutch town, where they are given a hero’s welcome. Standing in a crowd of cheering Dutch civilians, a young girl offers a tulip to a soldier of the Canadian Army kneeling before her. The double dates “1945-2025” commemorate the 80th anniversary of the end of the Second World War in Europe. The obverse features the effigy of His Majesty King Charles III by Canadian artist Steven Rosati.

Product # 246081

$20 Fine Silver Coin - 80th Anniversary of the End of the Second World War in Europe (2025)