Rhodium comes to Canada with its striking new black-plated Nocturnal by Nature two-coin series

Some very nice new coins from the Royal Canadian Mint this month, a dinosaur one we’ve already covered and some fine Second World War coins that we’ve yet to look at. With the mint’s newfound boost of enthusiasm for experimentation , it was only a matter of time that one of modern numismatics key trends, that of plating with a black metal like Rhodium or Ruthenium, would appear in the Canadian national mints portfolio.

Rhodium is applied in much the same way that gold is on a gilded coin, but the end reult is a dark grey, almost black finish. The technique was popularised by AllCollect with its initially hugely popular Golden Enigma series, which added actual gilding and rhodium to bullion coins to creat an often startling contrast. Here the mint has eschewed the gilding, instead leaving areas unplated, thus allowing the original silver to show through. It’s equally effective.

The design is one full of movement and features one of natures most beautiful birds in full flight, the Barn Owl. Pictured swooping down for a kill, these amazing creatures are perfectly adapted for night hunting, with hearing so keen it’s amongst the keenest in the animal kingdom. Combined with superb sight, they remain highly efficient predators of small mammals in particular.

The obverse of the coin is the usual custom effigy of Queen Elizabeth II, the portrait being the only part of this face not to recieve plating. The whole is packaged in one of the burgundy snapper cases the mint uses and comes with a serialised certificate of authenticity. Available to order now for $119.95 CAD with a mintage limited to 7,000.

MINTS DESCRIPTION

Canada is home to a wide range of nocturnal animals, including the barn owl, whose acute senses and secretive ways make it one of nature’s most efficient nighttime hunters. This fine silver coin captures all of the majesty and beauty of this species as it glides across the night sky—a sight recreated through the innovative use of black rhodium plating. Tilt the coin to see the colour shift from dark black to gunmetal grey, adding to the contemporary look and feel of the coin.

Designed by Canadian artist Jamie Desrochers, your coin features a contemporary stylized depiction of a barn owl (Tyto alba) descending upon its prey, as viewed from the ground looking up at the night sky. In the background, the creative use of black rhodium plating serves as a stunning backdrop for this night-time scene; detailed engraving re-creates the cratered surface of the full moon, which is brought to life through the use of bold frosting peering through the dark plating.

The coin’s silver surface also lends itself beautifully to evoking the luminous quality of moonlight on the engraved owl in the foreground, which seemingly shines brighter against the dark image field. Flying on outstretched wings, the owl conveys its stealthy hunting prowess through its fixed stare, as it seems to close in on the viewer. The engraving captures much of the owl’s most distinctive features—from its characteristic heart-shaped face and sharp talons, to the spotted appearance of its wing and tail feathers.

SPECIFICATION

NAME 2017 NOCTURNAL BY NATURE
DENOMINATION $20 Canadian
COMPOSITION 0.9999 silver
WEIGHT 31.39 grams
DIAMETER 38.0 mm
FINISH Matte proof
MODIFICATIONS Rhodium plated
MINTAGE 7,000
BOX / COA Yes / Yes
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