18k gold. 46.30 grams. 36mm. AGW 1.365 ounces. Obverse with jugate busts facing left of King George V and Queen Victoria with CONFEDERATION above and CANADA below. The dates 1867 and 1927 left and right, respectively, signify the year of Canadian Confederation and the year of issue. The reverse features the Canadian coat of arms and the motto A MARI USQUE AD MARE (“From Sea to Sea”) on a scroll below. J. Douglas Ferguson wrote in the July 1927 edition of The Numismatist:

Canada is making plans to issue at least two medals in connection with the celebration of her Jubilee of Confederation July 1.

     One will be struck in bronze and distributed to every school child taking part in the celebrations, which will be held in every town and city in Canada.

     The other will be struck in bronze and silver and distributed to the winner of local competitions in schools for essays on some subject of Canadian history.

     These have already been approved by the National Jubilee Committee as appointed and approved by Parliament.

This medal, the second type described by Ferguson, was reportedly produced to the extent of 1,840 pieces in bronze, 600 in silver, of which 540 were distributed, plus 81 in 750 fine gold. Of those probably not more than 10-12 examples have survived melting over last half century. Auction appearances are scant. Examples have appeared in the Leo Meloche Collection, Part II sale (Goldsmith, 11/1971), Torex Sale #6 (Jeffrey Hoare Auctions, 2/1988), lot 43; Montreal Stamp and Coins Sale #104 (6/2000), Chicago Signature Sale (Heritage, 4/2012), lot 23799 (PR63 Ultra Cameo NGC, original box included), which realized $3,450 USD, and most recently in the Toronto Coin Expo Spring Sale (Geoffrey Bell Auctions, 5/2017), lot 509 (with silver and bronze examples), which brought $2,880 CAD. This listing is by no means comprehensive, but it provides a sense of how infrequently these rare medals are offered.

Both sides are absolutely razor-sharp, with fully struck central motifs that stand out against reflective fields. Rich yellow-gold colour includes natural reddish accents that contribute considerably to the elegant eye appeal. Die polish lines appear in the fields, and the only post-striking flaw is a minuscule rim nick between 1 and 2 o’clock on the reverse. Housed in its original case of issue, which survives in remarkable condition.