Eighty years after the Allied victory in Europe, Monnaie de Paris proudly honours the courage and sacrifice of those who fought for freedom with the V-E Day 80th Anniversary €10 Silver Proof Coin – Canadian Soldier.
This 2025 release celebrates Fred, a lieutenant in the Royal Winnipeg Rifles, part of the 3rd Canadian Infantry Division that landed on Sword Beach during the D-Day invasion. His unit fought through the Battle of Normandy, from Caen to Falaise, before advancing to liberate Rouen on August 30, 1944. The division then pressed onward, freeing Boulogne-sur-Mer and Calais, before joining the critical campaigns in Belgium and the Netherlands, including the Battle of the Scheldt and the Breskens Pocket, reopening the port of Antwerp. By war’s end, Fred’s division had reached Germany, prepared to assault the town of Aurich — a journey of bravery and perseverance.
The reverse design features the flags of all Allied nations that participated in the Normandy landings — France Libre, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Poland, Australia, the USA, Norway, the UK, Czechoslovakia, Canada, and Belgium — encircling the face value (10 €) and the “RF” monogram of the French Republic. Below, a series of stars honours the Liberty Road, symbolizing the path of liberation followed by Allied forces through France to Luxembourg.
Struck in 99.9% fine silver and finished to Proof quality, this limited-edition coin commemorates one of the most pivotal moments in modern history — the triumph of unity and courage that restored peace to Europe. With a mintage of just 1,945 coins worldwide, it is both a historical tribute and a collector’s treasure.
