Why Do Canadians Celebrate Victoria Day? The Story of Queen Victoria and a Remarkable Gold Coin

Photo Courtesy of 加拿大皇家鑄幣局.

Every May, Canadians look forward to the long weekend that unofficially kicks off summer. Barbecues, gardening, fireworks and cottage openings have all become part of Victoria Day traditions across the country.

But many Canadians don’t actually know who Queen Victoria was or why we celebrate her.

For collectors and history lovers, Victoria Day is also a reminder of just how deeply Queen Victoria shaped Canada’s identity, including the coins, cities and institutions that still carry her legacy today.

One beautiful example is the Royal Canadian Mint’s 2019 pure gold coin, created to mark the 200th anniversary of Queen Victoria’s birth.

Who Was Queen Victoria?

Queen Victoria was born on May 24, 1819 and became Queen of the United Kingdom in 1837 at just 18 years old. She would go on to reign for more than 63 years, making her one of the most influential monarchs in British history.

Her reign overlapped with enormous changes in Canada’s history.

Queen Victoria gave royal assent to the British North America Act, helping establish Canadian Confederation in 1867. She also selected Ottawa as the capital of Canada.

Her influence can still be seen across the country today:

• Victoria, British Columbia was named after her
• Regina, Saskatchewan comes from the Latin word for “queen”
• Streets, schools and landmarks throughout Canada still bear her name

Because of her importance to Canada, her birthday became a holiday celebration in the 1800s. After her death in 1901, the holiday officially became known as Victoria Day.

A Gold Coin Honouring the “Mother of Confederation”

In 2019, the Royal Canadian Mint released a stunning 99.99% pure gold collector coin to commemorate the bicentennial of Queen Victoria’s birth.

What makes this piece especially interesting to collectors is that it featured a portrait of Queen Victoria never before used on a Canadian coin. The image was based on historical artwork from Library and Archives Canada and framed with Victorian-inspired floral details and maple leaves.

The coin also includes:

• Double dates: 1819–2019
• A limited mintage of just 1,500 worldwide
• A quarter-ounce of 99.99% pure gold
• A classic design inspired by early Canadian coinage

For many collectors, coins like this represent more than precious metal value alone. They connect Canadian history, art, royalty and craftsmanship in a tangible way.

Why Historical Gold Coins Matter to Collectors

One of the reasons collector coins remain so popular is that they tell stories.

A bullion coin may primarily track precious metal value, while numismatic and commemorative pieces often capture a specific historical moment, anniversary or national identity.

Queen Victoria-themed coins remain especially meaningful because her reign shaped so much of Canada’s early development. Even today, many older Canadian coins still feature design influences from the Victorian era.

For collectors, these pieces can combine:

• Historical significance
• Limited mintages
• Precious metal content
• Artistic design
• Long-term collectability

Celebrating Canadian History Through Coins

Victoria Day offers a chance to reflect on a piece of Canadian history that still surrounds us today, even if we don’t always notice it.

From city names to holidays to historic coins, Queen Victoria’s legacy remains woven into Canada’s story.

Collector coins like the Royal Canadian Mint’s 2019 Queen Victoria gold coin help preserve and share that history for future generations.

If you’re interested in collectible coins, gold coins or Canadian numismatic history, Canada Gold’s team can help answer questions about buying, selling and evaluating collector pieces.

You can also explore more educational resources and live precious metals pricing on the Canada Gold website.