# 96 - The Battle of Vimy Ridge

In April 1917, all four divisions of the Canadian Corps were ordered to capture the heavily fortified Vimy Ridge in northern France. This was the first engagement in which Canada's soldiers from coast-to-coast would fight side-by-side as one using innovative tactics.

Those forces secured a hard-fought victory that earned them a reputation as a formidable opponent on the western front, while inspiring a nation's sense of pride and unity. This was one of Canada's finest hours during the First World War—but it came at a cost of nearly 11,000 casualties.

Since 1936, an impressive national memorial has marked the site as a tribute to the Canadian soldiers who fought for the cause of peace and freedom during the First World War.

The reverse features a frontal view of the iconic sculpture “Canada Bereft,” which is prominently featured at the Canadian National Vimy Memorial in Vimy, France. An allegorical figure, she is Mother Canada—the powerful personification of a nation mourning her fallen sons.

The Vimy Memorial is recreated behind and to the left of the grieving sculpture; set against the lined specimen background, the Vimy Memorial is depicted further in the distance to provide a full sense of the stately grandeur of this Canadian site of remembrance overseas.

This coin is a 2017 $3 "The Battle of Vimy Ridge", issued by RCM to celebrate its 100th anniversary. It weights 7.96g with 99.99% silver purity.

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