2026 Canada $20 75th Anniversary of the National Ballet of Canada Fine Silver (No Tax)
The National Ballet of Canada and The Nutcracker: Bringing ballet magic to your holidays.
This egg-shaped, selectively gold-plated, 99.99% pure silver coin offers you a front-row seat to the magic of The National Ballet of Canada’s The Nutcracker, a holiday favourite, as we celebrate the company’s rich artistic legacy on its 75th anniversary.
One of the most famous ballet stories, The Nutcracker is a cherished tradition that marks the beginning of the holiday season—a fantastical journey into a sparkling world where imagination takes centre stage!
Shaped to echo the golden egg from which the Sugar Plum Fairy emerges, this selectively gold-plated fine silver coin invites you to discover (or re-discover) the wonder of The Nutcracker, an annual production that is part of the repertory of The National Ballet of Canada. Since its founding in 1951, the Toronto-based company has been a cornerstone of Canadian cultural life; that enduring legacy is reflected in this fine silver coin, which celebrates the dancers and dreamers who have kept this dazzling holiday tradition alive.
Honouring 75 years of the National Ballet.
Set on Christmas Eve, The Nutcracker was originally choreographed by Marius Petipa and set to music by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky in 1892; by the mid-20th century, the ballet story (and score) had become a holiday favourite.
The National Ballet first performed The Nutcracker—specifically, an excerpt of Act II—in 1952, just one year after the company’s founding. A full-length production staged by founding artistic director Celia Franca was introduced in 1964 and performed annually until 1994, and the following year (1995) marked the debut of the current production choreographed by James Kudelka.
Egg shape
The coin’s egg shape ties in with the golden egg depicted on its reverse. In the National Ballet’s The Nutcracker, the golden egg provides the backdrop to a key moment—the moment when the Sugar Plum Fairy makes her grand entrance.
Yellow gold plating
Your coin features a selective application of yellow gold plating—on the egg and the anniversary banner on the coin’s reverse, the effigy on the obverse, and the rim on both sides of the coin.
Star pattern
The ballet’s sumptuous sets also inspired the laser-engraved star pattern that adds a festive, magical touch to your coin’s obverse.
The reverse design is an engraved adaptation of photography from The National Ballet of Canada captured by Karolina Kuras. The composition shows a Principal Dancer performing the role of the Sugar Plum Fairy in The Nutcracker after stepping out of the golden egg seen in the background—part of the elaborate sets and costumes designed by Santo Loquasto for choreographer James Kudelka’s acclaimed production with The National Ballet of Canada. The egg and the banner commemorating the Canadian ballet company’s 75th anniversary (“1951 2026”) (“75 YEARS | ANS”) are plated with yellow gold on the reverse, as is the rim on both sides of the coin. The obverse features a star pattern and the gold-plated effigy of His Majesty King Charles III by Canadian artist Steven Rosati.
Specifications:
RCM Number: 254750
Mintage: 6,500
Composition: 99.99% pure silver with selective yellow gold plating
Weight: 31.82 g
Diameter: 45 mm x 33 mm
Face Value: $20
Finish: Proof
Edge: Interrupted serrations
Artist: Engraved adaptation of photography by Karolina Kuros (reverse), Steven Rosati (obverse)
Special features
- Celebrating exceptional artistry. The coin celebrates the 75th anniversary of The National Ballet of Canada, which has played a vital role in shaping Canada’s ballet tradition since 1951, and whose performances have brought the magic of The Nutcracker to generations of Canadians.
- The magic and wonder of The Nutcracker. With its dream-like story and dazzling visuals, The Nutcracker has long enchanted audiences of all ages—this fine silver coin pays homage to a cherished symbol of the holiday season.
- Themed packaging. Each coin comes packaged in a beauty box featuring a festive Nutcracker theme, making it the perfect gift for ballet fans or anyone who treasures the magic of the holiday season.
- Limited collectible. Only 6,500 of these 1 oz. 99.99% pure silver coins are available to fans of The Nutcracker and collectors worldwide.
- Includes serialized certificate. The Royal Canadian Mint certifies all of its collector coins.
- No GST/HST.
Packaging
The coin is encapsulated and presented in a custom-designed beauty box featuring a holiday-friendly Nutcracker theme. It also features The National Ballet of Canada’s special logo commemorating the 75th anniversary (1951-2026) of the ballet company’s founding.
