The 1979 Canadian $1 Griffon Tricentennial Specimen Silver Dollar Coin marks the 300th anniversary of the Griffon's historic 1679 voyage—the first full-sized sailing ship on the Great Lakes. Struck by the Royal Canadian Mint with a refined specimen finish, this coin honors early French exploration in North America. The obverse features Arnold Machin’s effigy of Queen Elizabeth II, while the reverse vividly depicts the Griffon under full sail, capturing a pivotal moment in maritime history with exceptional detail and craftsmanship.