The Royal Canadian Mint is celebrating Artemis II and Canada’s part in the historic flight with a new silver coin for collectors. The release honors the first crewed lunar flyby mission since Apollo 17 in 1972 and also marks Canada’s inaugural role in a lunar mission.
The 2026 $20 Fine Silver Coin — Moon Mission is struck in 99.99% pure silver and features black light technology that reveals additional design elements.
Artemis II began a 10-day mission carrying Canadian Space Agency (CSA) astronaut Jeremy Hansen — the first Canadian and first non-American to participate in a lunar mission — alongside commander Reid Wiseman, pilot Victor Glover, and mission specialist Christina Koch aboard NASA’s Orion spacecraft. The flight serves as the first crewed test of Orion and will help pave the way for later Artemis missions aimed at returning humans to the lunar surface.
The colorful design by Canadian artist Pandora Young highlights Canada’s participation in the NASA-led mission, with a reverse showing a CSA astronaut in a full Orion Crew Survival System spacesuit set against an enlarged Moon. Selective color brings the astronaut’s blue-trimmed, orange-colored OCSS spacesuit to life, with a Royal Canadian Air Force badge displayed above a CSA patch in the centre of the chest panel. The Canadian flag is also visible on the left shoulder. Under black light, the Moon glows while Earth appears reflected in the astronaut’s visor. The obverse features the effigy of King Charles III by Canadian artist Steven Rosati.
Artemis II marked Hansen’s first flight into space, with the Canadian astronaut serving as a mission specialist. With the mission’s launch, Canada became the only country other than the United States to have sent an astronaut into deep space.
Limited to 7,500 coins worldwide, the 2026 $20 Fine Silver Coin — Moon Mission retails for $279.95 (CAD) and is available through the Royal Canadian Mint, its boutiques, participating Canada Post outlets, and authorized dealers.
