Struck from Legend
The Arrow Metal Coin
THE STORY BEHIND THIS METAL
This coin has been minted using metal believed to originate from the legendary AVRO ARROW program—one of Canada’s most iconic and controversial aerospace achievements. The material was entrusted to me by a highly respected, retired member of the Canadian Forces whose integrity I hold in the highest regard.
The origin of this metal is steeped in mystery. It came from a hand-built fishing boat found near Algonquin Park, just south of Barry’s Bay, Ontario. According to the story passed to me, the boat was constructed by an expert craftsman—presumably involved in or with direct access to the AVRO program. For reasons thought to be related to national security, the boat was deliberately sunk to conceal its unique metallurgical composition.
Unbeknownst to his father, the builder’s son—who I believe acted in a moment of quiet national heroism—rescued the boat and hid it under a neighbour’s tree, where it remained undisturbed for over half a century. The story of the “Arrow boat” faded into obscurity until, years later, the retired Forces member came forward to share the hidden truth.
We began investigating. We traced the construction techniques and cross-referenced multiple sources to identify the original maker. What we discovered left us stunned. Once we understood the likely identity of the builder, we were both humbled and horrified—we had already begun cutting into what was likely a masterwork by one of Canada’s unknown legends. There was no turning back, so I resolved to honour this legacy in the most meaningful way I know: through fine minting.
Stamped into the boat’s metal were the numbers “1610” in two separate locations. Initially thought to be a part number, it became clear this was symbolic. The AVRO ARROW Mk.1 hit Mach 2.3, reaching speeds of over 1613 km/h (1000 mph) at 50,000 feet—and still climbing like a homesick Canadian angel. “1610” wasn’t just a number; it was a code—an homage known only to those who truly understood what the Arrow meant to this country.
This is more than a coin. It is an artifact. A relic. A tangible connection to a story of Canadian ambition, heartbreak, and pride. As a Canadian artist, I consider it an honour of the highest order to mint a piece from this storied material—a fragment of our national dream.
The Arrow Coin was one of the first tests of our minting system, but it became something far more. A tribute. A remembrance. A spark to inspire future generations with what Canada can achieve when we dare to reach beyond ourselves.
This metal is precious—priceless—and now, it’s yours.
May it serve you with strength, honour, and integrity.
The hearts and souls of millions once soared with the Arrow. I now pass a piece of that legacy to you.
Arrow Program Metal
Struck from a legend
Arguably the most precious of all the coins we mint because of the extreme rarity of what this metal came from and how impossible it is to find. We have some of this metal which will be used to cover the box lid we will make for the first 7 Golden Arrow packages. We had a little extra left over and decided that we would mint for a time being, a maximum mintage of no more than 50 and we ended up giving away a number of these coins to inspire members of the Royal Canadian Air Cadets affiliated with the Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry and on the sole recomendation of the leader, present one of these sacred metal medals, to a Cadet who exhibits the absolute highest form of extreme excellence.
Arrow Program Metal Coin
The First Recipient
She is the first to receive one of the coins and to say she was surprised, overwhelmed, and thrilled would be an understatment.The first recipient of the Arrow metal medal coin associated with 3PPCLI. Thank you Sean Smith for this. Congratulations to Retired Cadet Cheif Warrant Officer Ruth Warkentin. You are now responsible for setting the impossibly high standards I expect to which this coin embodies. I look forward to tracking her progress in life as if you recognize her with this, she clearly has “The stuff of Patricia’s”
Dear Ms. Warkentin,
Let me be perfectly clear.
With recognition like this—and with you being the very first—know that the bar has been set high. When you one day take your first steps on the Moon as a Canadian Astronaut, only then will I say:
“You have met my expectations.”
Not failure, but low aim is the true crime. You’ve already shown world-class targeting ability. Now let’s see what you can really do.
These are the same extreme standards passed to me by my father. In the early 1960s, he won the Tudhope Memorial Flying Championship, awarded to the best pilot in Canada. That legacy of excellence was not optional—it was demanded.
When I was working on my military book, I was invited to a mess dinner at Edmonton Garrison. Seated at my table were a Brigadier-General, the Minister of National Defence, the Lieutenant Governor, and a former fiancée of one of our fallen in Afghanistan. I told my father about this. He looked at me, paused, and said:
“Son… you met my expectations.”
Not exceeded. Met.
It is with that same, almost unreasonable standard of excellence that you received this coin—hand-selected by Sean Smith. You clearly carry immense potential. May this coin serve as a constant reminder of what you’re truly capable of becoming.
Let the world laugh, dismiss, or doubt you—if they dare. Your wingman is that coin, and everything it stands for.
I’ll be watching.
Don’t let me down.
Sincerely,
Joseph Green
