The Royal Canadian Mints dynamic alternatives to the relatively staid Maple Leaf bullion coins continue apace with new additions to both the gold and silver series of wildlife-themed coins. Designed to offer a limited run alternative to one of the world’s most popular bullion coins, interest in these coins as been very high since the debut of the first six-coin series called Canadian Wildlife back in 2011 than ran for three years. Obviously by ‘limited run’ we’re talking comparitively with the huge-selling Maple. At one-million units twice per year, it’s only in this context that any of the wildlife bullion coins could ever be seen as limited.

The silver coins are to conclude at four designs and are themed around Canadian Birds of Prey. All designed by Emily Damstra, the first release came out last February and featured the Peregrine Falcon. This was followed up in August with a superb Bald Eagle design. The third coin to be released depicts the Red-Tailed Kite and is closer in design to the Pergerine Falcon than the Bald Eagle with some wing clipping allowing Emily to increase the size of the bird on the reverse side. It’s a pretty design, although the second coin remains the highlight so far for us. Available now, usually for a little over what a Maple would go for, so a pretty decent deal all round. We’ve heard continued criticism of ‘milk-spotting’ on coins, so be aware.

The gold coin is the second of three in the ‘Call of the Wild’ series, and like the first coin from last February, depicts a predatory animal howling. The first Pierre Leduc designed coin was a beauty and this one carries on in an identical vein. Struck in five-nines gold and sold in credit-card style packaging, there’s little to dislike here. The cougar, while lacking the long and graceful snout of the wolf, more than compensates with an impressive set of gnashers. Incorporating the new Maple security feature, we’d have one of these over the ubiquitous Maple any day of the week. Excellent.

CALL OF THE WILD 02: GROWLING COUGAR

MINTS DESCRIPTION

The cougar is one of Canada’s most powerful, elusive, and beautiful predators. This silent hunter is the perfect subject for the second coin in the Royal Canadian Mint’s “Call of the Wild” 3-coin series.

Crafted in the Royal Canadian Mint’s exacting standard of 99.999% pure gold, the highest standard of pure gold available in the world, and hand polished to proof perfection.

The reverse design by Canadian artist Pierre Leduc presents a profie portrait of a cougar backed by lines representing the cougar’s growl. The central feature of the image is the highly detailed right-side profie of the head of a cougar growling. The Royal Canadian Mint engravers have lent additional beauty to the artistry of the original design; the fiishes on this coin really emphasize the muzzle spiked with long whiskers, short round ears, and dense fur are presented in full detail, bringing the intensity of the moment fully to life.

BIRDS OF PREY 03: RED-TAILED KITE

MINTS DESCRIPTION

From coast to coast, Canada boasts a remarkable biodiversity – one that includes both prey and predator. With their remarkable agility and speed, Canada’s birds of prey have earned their reputation as formidable hunters – including the red-tailed hawk, which is beautifully showcased in this striking coin.

The reverse design by Canadian artist Emily Damstra features a red-tailed hawk descending upon its prey.