Set of 2 x 1 oz 2026 History of Canadian Currencies: The Spanish Dollar Proof Silver Coins | Royal Canadian Mint

The Spanish dollar: A piece of monetary history, a legacy of global trade.

Marking the Royal Canadian Mint's first collaboration with the Royal Spanish Mint (FNMT-RCM), this two-coin set celebrates one of the most storied pieces in numismatic history: the Spanish dollar or 8 Reales (“Real de a Ocho”).

From the late 15th to the mid-19th century, Spanish silver dollars circulated across oceans and continents, linking empires and underwriting systems of commerce, and even becoming part of pirate lore. Uniform in weight and purity, the eight-real coin was the world’s first global currency—a coin so trusted, it was widely used by traders, merchants and settlers in what is now Canada, where it helped shape our monetary system.

Often bearing the Pillars of Hercules on its reverse, the Spanish dollar’s history and legacy are carried forward here in this two-piece set—as a Canadian .9999 fine silver coin, and a Spanish .999 fine silver coin—linking one of history’s defining currencies to the modern minting standards it helped establish.

A two-nation tribute to the silver coin that travelled the world.

COIN HIGHLIGHTS

• One of the most consequential coins in monetary history. Own this modern-day tribute to the Spanish dollar or 8 Reales, a silver coin that emerged as the world’s first truly global currency.
• The first joint set from the Royal Canadian Mint and the Royal Spanish Mint. This set consists of two 1 oz. silver coins: one from the Royal Canadian Mint, and one from the Royal Spanish Mint, marking a first collaboration between the two national mints.
• Different versions. Each piece features a different historic reverse: the Spanish coin is an homage to the columnarios minted between 1732 and 1773, while the Canadian one is a representation of a later “pillar” dollar originally struck in Mexico.
• Modern purity standards. The Spanish coin is .999 fine silver and the Canadian one is .9999, in keeping with customary specifications for each mint’s collector coins.
• History brought to life. This two-coin offering is a unique collecting opportunity that will appeal to history enthusiasts and collectors of world coins.
• Exclusively available as a set. These coins are only available as part of this set—they are not sold separately.
• Limited numbers. Only 6,500 sets are available to collectors worldwide.
• Includes serialized certificate. A joint certificate of authenticity from both mints is included with your set.

PACKAGING

Individually encapsulated, your two coins are presented in a custom black clamshell case, and packaged in a black beauty box bearing the logos of the Royal Canadian Mint and the Royal Spanish Mint.

DID YOU KNOW?

The origin of the dollar “$” sign is debated, but it may have evolved from the ribbon-wrapped Pillars of Hercules twice depicted in this joint set. In classical mythology, the Pillars of Hercules marked the western boundary of the known world, now known as the Strait of Gibraltar.

Eight-real coins were frequently cut into halves or wedges to make everyday change, and each pie-shaped fragment was known as a “bit”—hence the name “pieces of eight,” as the Spanish dollar was popularly known, and the expression “two bits” for a quarter of a dollar.

2026 $20 Fine Silver Coin – Pillar Dollar

The reverse is a representation of a Spanish 8 Reales coin struck in 1779. It features the crowned shield of the Spanish royal arms, flanked by the Pillars of Hercules with the motto “PLUS ULTRA” (“further beyond”). The legend reads “HISPAN ET IND REX:” (“King of Spain and the Indies”) and includes the Mexico City mint mark (“Mo”), the denomination “8 R” (for “8 Reales”), and the assayer’s initials “F F”. The modern obverse features the effigy of His Majesty King Charles III by Canadian artist Steven Rosati.

2026 10 Euro 1 oz. Fine Silver Coin – Real de a Ocho

The reverse depicts a "Real de a Ocho" minted in Mexico in 1737 and of the "columnar" type, so named for the two Pillars of Hercules flanking the globes—a symbol of Spanish dominion over both hemispheres. Above the pillars is the motto "PLUS ULTRA" ("further beyond"), and around it the inscription "VTRAQUE VNUM," alluding to the union of the Old and New Worlds under the Spanish Crown. The modern obverse shows the effigy of the King of Spain, Felipe VI.

ABOUT THE ROYAL CANADIAN MINT

The Royal Canadian Mint is known as one of the most reputable mints in the world. The Ottawa Branch of the Royal Mint opened in 1908 and was renamed The Royal Canadian Mint in 1931 when control was transferred to the Canadian government. Their high standards for excellence and quality allowed them to be the first refinery to manufacture 9999 fine gold bullion coins in 1982, as well as the first to reach 99999 fine gold purity in 1998.