The 2011 Royal Wedding Silver Coin: A Collector's Guide
On April 29, 2011, Prince William and Catherine Middleton got married, and it felt like the whole planet tuned in. The Royal Canadian Mint marked the day the way the Mint does best: with a coin. And not just any coin. The 2011 $20 Fine Silver Proof Coin is one of the slickest royal pieces of the modern era.
Here's the full rundown on what it is, what makes it special, and why it's a great fit for a Canadian collection.
The specs
Here's what the Mint lists for this one:
- Face value: $20
- Metal: 99.99% pure silver
- Weight: 31.39 grams
- Finish: proof
- Mintage: 25,000
- Reverse design: Laurie McGaw
- Obverse (Queen Elizabeth II): Susanna Blunt
- Paperwork: serialized certificate
It's struck in 99.99% pure silver, which is about as pure as silver coins get. It's also a proof, so it has mirror-like fields and frosted designs that look incredible under a light. If proof coins are new to you, we break down exactly what "proof" means in a separate post.
The blue sparkle
This is the detail that makes people stop scrolling. The coin has a Swarovski element in sapphire blue, a nod to Catherine's famous sapphire engagement ring. It's a small touch, but it turns a nice coin into a real conversation piece. Put it in a capsule on a shelf and people are going to ask about it.
A snapshot of royal history
Royal weddings have been showing up on coins for generations, and this one's a big chapter. Since 2022, William and Catherine have been the Prince and Princess of Wales, so this coin sits right at the start of a story that's still being written.
That's what we love about royal coins. They freeze a moment in time. Years from now, this coin will still be telling the story of that day in April 2011.
Why collectors dig this coin
- It's got a story. A royal wedding watched around the world, on a coin from Canada's own Mint.
- Limited run. 25,000 pieces is a small number compared to the millions of everyday coins the Mint strikes.
- Proof quality. Mirror fields, frosted details and that blue sparkle. It's built to be looked at.
- The paperwork. A serialized certificate and original packaging keep the coin's story complete. If you've got the box and certificate, hang on to them.
A royal portrait collection, anyone?
Here's a fun angle. The front of this coin shows Queen Elizabeth II in the portrait by Susanna Blunt. But Canadian coins have carried royal portraits for well over a century, and you can trace that whole history right in your hand.
Old Canadian silver pocket change from 1937 to 1966 shows:
- King George VI (1937–1952)
- Queen Elizabeth II, young portrait by Mary Gillick (1953–1964)
- Queen Elizabeth II, portrait by Arnold Machin (1965 onward)
Pair a modern royal commemorative with a few of those old-school circulation coins and you've got a sick little royal display that covers generations of the Royal Family. The easiest way to grab the classics is with a bundle. Our 5-coin half-dollar bundle gives you big 80% silver halves from 1937–1966, and the halves are the best coin for showing off those portraits because they're the biggest. Want the classic caribou? Grab the 10-coin quarter bundle.
How to take care of it
Proof coins are gorgeous, but they show every mark. Treat this one right:
- Keep it in its capsule. The capsule is there to protect those mirror fields.
- Don't clean it. Ever. Cleaning leaves hairline scratches that you can't undo.
- Hold it by the edges if you ever take it out, because fingerprints show up on proof surfaces.
- Keep the box and certificate together with the coin.
- Store it somewhere cool and dry.
Preserving Canada's collecting history
At Freedom Silver, we think great coins deserve to be collected and enjoyed, not forgotten in a drawer. We photograph and catalogue the coins that come through our doors so they end up with people who'll actually appreciate them.
Every coin has a story, and this one tells a good one: a royal wedding, Canadian craftsmanship, and a little flash of sapphire blue.
FAQ
What is the 2011 Royal Wedding silver coin?
It's a $20 fine silver proof coin from the Royal Canadian Mint, made to celebrate the wedding of Prince William and Catherine Middleton on April 29, 2011.
How much silver is in the 2011 Royal Wedding coin?
The coin is 99.99% pure silver and weighs 31.39 grams.
How many 2011 Royal Wedding $20 silver coins were made?
The Mint lists a mintage of 25,000.
What is the blue stone on the Royal Wedding coin?
It's a sapphire-blue Swarovski element, a nod to Catherine's sapphire engagement ring.
Who designed the 2011 Royal Wedding coin?
Laurie McGaw designed the reverse. The portrait of Queen Elizabeth II on the obverse is by Susanna Blunt.
Building a royal collection? Start with the classics and browse all our Canadian silver coin bundles.