Part two of our look at the Canadian Mints bumper October release
A second selection of coins, seven this time, continues our look at the Royal Canadian Mints October launch run. We covered six coins yesterday and there’s a special five kilo coin we’ll cover tomorrow. As well as what you see here, there are five coins in an ice hockey series called Passion to Play and a fourth coin in the Celebrating Canada’s 150th Anniversary 13-coin set, all of which you can see over at the RCM’s website. The November Birthstones coin is here, but as that’s a recurring design with just a change in the gem colour (yellow for Topaz this time), we’ll skip that here. A pair of Lunar coins we’ll cover seperately, along with the Perth Mints new ones this month.
The selection here is similar in variety and scope to yesterday’s six coins. A mix of gold and silver numismatics at various price points mean there’s probably at least one coin you’ll like. For me it’s again the gold coins. The Tall Ships series is a superb set of coins in the hand, and while we’ve yet to see this fourth and last entrant in person, there’s absolutely no reason to believe it won’t keep up the sky high quality of the initial three. Maple Canopy Kaleidoscope is one of those rare gold coins that carries colour well. We’re not huge fans of coloured gold coins here, we believe it doesn’t sit as well as it can do on silver, but this coin bucks the trend. Almost five large in Canadian dollars is a big wedge, however.
On the silver front we’re seeing signs of a scattershot approach to new ideas, essentially throwing them out to see what sticks. The Drusy Stone and Snow Tree coins don’t work for me personally, both having quite jarring adornments, but it’s hard to predict what will become popular so we understand the approach. As long as the RCM keeps putting out beautiful coins like the Tall Ships range and the Yin Yang Tiger Dragon coin, we’re happy enough. All are available to order now, or buy from the various RCM stores.
2016 AUTUMN TRANQUILITY
DESIGN: The reverse image by Canadian artist Tony Bianco stirs up heart-warming memories of a leisurely walk through a forest, where fall’s colourful display is at its peak. The application of vibrant colour over the engraved scene recreates autumn’s dazzling palette, particularly the rich orange hues of the maple branches that overlap the frame on both sides of the image; the effect creates an immersive viewing experience that pulls the viewer into this serene setting.
Gently pushing the branches aside, an unexpected sight reveals itself: a footbridge that gently arches above a cascading stream. One could almost hear the gentle flow of the water moving beneath the walkway, which is brought to life through finely detailed engraving and the integration of the coin’s silver surface into the design. On the other side of the bridge, the golden glow of sunlight filters through the trees and adds an ethereal quality to the scene by subtly obscuring what lies ahead—a poignant reminder that the journey itself can be just as rewarding as reaching a destination.
DENOMINATION | COMPOSITION | WEIGHT | DIAMETER | FINISH | MINTAGE | ISSUE PRICE |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
$20 CAD | 0.9999 SILVER | 31.39 g | 38.0 mm | PROOF | 6,000 | $102.95 |
2017 DRUSY BIRCH LEAF
DESIGN: This $20 coin is 99.99% pure silver, with a diameter of 38 millimetres and a metal weight of 31.39 grams. The reverse design by Canadian artist Tony Bianco features a cluster of birch leaves that includes a green drusy stone leaf embellishment. The sparkling drusy leaf emerges from the engraved silver cluster, seeming to burst out of the image alongside a clutch of catkins.
The image is encircled by an ornate Art Nouveau-style frame of curled branches and stylized foliate shapes. Variations in finishing work with intricate engraving to give the design depth and texture. The reverse is engraved with the face value of “20 DOLLARS” and the date “2017”. The obverse features “CANADA” and the effigy of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II by Susanna Blunt.
DENOMINATION | COMPOSITION | WEIGHT | DIAMETER | FINISH | MINTAGE | ISSUE PRICE |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
$20 CAD | 0.9999 SILVER | 31.39 g | 38.0 mm | PROOF | 5,500 | $161.95 |
2016 TALL SHIPS HMS DISCOVERY
DESIGN: The reverse design by Canadian artist Neil Hamelin features a stern view of HMS Discovery during the famous 1791-1795 expedition in the Pacific. With the wind spilling from her topsails, the threemasted ship is a majestic sight as she sails along the rugged, tree-lined coast of present-day British Columbia.
The upper portion of the ship’s rudder and her stern chasers are evident above the water, while the eye sweeps up past the captain’s cabin and stern decorations to the large Red Ensign of the British Royal Navy flapping in the wind. A glimpse of the starboard side reveals more of the wooden barque’s distinctive appearance and her rigging details, as recreated through meticulous engraving.
DENOMINATION | COMPOSITION | WEIGHT | DIAMETER | FINISH | MINTAGE | ISSUE PRICE |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
$200 CAD | 0.9999 GOLD | 31.16 g | 30.0 mm | PROOF | 275 | $2,699.95 |
2017 GLISTENING NORTH: POLAR BEAR
DESIGN: The reverse design by Canadian artist Glen Loates artfully combines highly detailed engraving with the selective application of colour and diamond glitter to capture the stunning beauty of the Canadian Arctic landscape. In the centre, a polar bear (Ursus maritimus) is sure-footed as it moves across the rugged terrain, where it pauses briefly to lift its head and use its formidable sense of smell.
The side-profile view allows for a close examination of the bear’s distinctive outline and the textured rendering of its famously white fur; but it is the glittering appearance of the snow and ice that inevitably draws the eye towards the ground beneath the bear’s feet. Here, the careful application of an innovative technology known as Diamond Glitter recreates the light-reflecting qualities of snow and ice crystals in daylight—an effect that is further enhanced by the coin’s silver surface in the engraved background, where the frozen Arctic landscape is punctuated by rocky peaks beneath the engraved face value “20 DOLLARS”.
DENOMINATION | COMPOSITION | WEIGHT | DIAMETER | FINISH | MINTAGE | ISSUE PRICE |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
$20 CAD | 0.9999 SILVER | 31.39 g | 38.0 mm | PROOF | 7,500 | $114.95 |
2017 MAPLE CANOPY KALEIDOSCOPE
DESIGN: The reverse design by Canadian artist Emily S. Damstra explores the stunning beauty of an autumn day in Canada, but from a different perspective: from the base of a towering maple tree. The viewer’s gaze naturally wanders up the ridged trunk of the engraved tree towards the branches, which splay out overhead to support the lush canopy of foliage overhead. The application of paint over the engraved leaves recreates nature’s spellbinding display of autumn hues, which range from a deep crimson red to the lightest yellow.
Peeking out from between this eye-catching mix of colours is the coin’s surface, which adds a golden gleam that mimics sunlight on this tranquil day. The addition of three maple leaves—each one coloured differently from the other—only adds to this immersive viewing experience as they seemingly float down towards the viewer, softly tumbling in the gentle autumn breeze. Engraved in the tree trunk are the face value “250 DOLLARS”, the word “CANADA”, and the year “2017”.
DENOMINATION | COMPOSITION | WEIGHT | DIAMETER | FINISH | MINTAGE | ISSUE PRICE |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
$250 CAD | 0.9999 GOLD | 62.34 g | 42.0 mm | PROOF | 150 | $4,949.95 |
2017 SNOW COVERED TREES
DESIGN: The reverse design by Canadian artist Tony Bianco features a traditional Canadian winter scene in all of its tranquil beauty. As the countryside slumbers beneath a blanket of freshly fallen snow, three people venture out into the crisp morning air to enjoy a sleigh ride. Finely detailed engraving captures the intricacies of the horse-drawn sleigh and its occupants; positioned to the left side of the coin, they move through the pristine snow in front of a wooden cabin, where a plume of smoke from the chimney offers the promise of a warm fire upon their return.
The grove of pines surrounds them like crystal spires, with the green colours of their branches barely visible beneath the bright white snow cover. In the centre of this scene is a breathtaking Murano glass tree that has been handcrafted by master glass makers Giorgio and Bernardino Vio of Murano, Italy; this embellishment’s delicate beauty perfectly conveys the shimmering, crystal-like qualities of the snow and ice that dominate the landscape. No two glass trees are alike—your coin will truly be unique!
DENOMINATION | COMPOSITION | WEIGHT | DIAMETER | FINISH | MINTAGE | ISSUE PRICE |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
$20 CAD | 0.9999 SILVER | 31.39 g | 38.0 mm | PROOF | 7,000 | $152.95 |
2016 ROYAL TOUR
From September 24 to October 1, 2016, some of Canada’s most majestic scenery provided the backdrop for a very special Royal tour! This colourful, fine silver coin preserves the joyous spirit of the 2016 Royal Tour of Canada, which marks the second official tour of Their Royal Highnesses The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, and their first to British Columbia and Yukon.
DESIGN: In commemoration of the 2016 Royal Tour of Canada, the reverse features a full colour application that recreates photographer Chris Jelf’s portrait of Their Royal Highnesses The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, Prince George and Princess Charlotte. The touching image is framed by an outer rim that includes four engraved maple leaves to represent each member of this Royal Family, along with the engraved word “CANADA”, the face value “20 DOLLARS” and the year “2016”. The obverse features the effigy of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II by Susanna Blunt.
DENOMINATION | COMPOSITION | WEIGHT | DIAMETER | FINISH | MINTAGE | ISSUE PRICE |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
$20 CAD | 0.9999 SILVER | 38.0 g | 31.39 mm | PROOF | 10,000 | $109.95 |
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