The bumper release run in June from the most prolific mint around, the Royal Canadian Mint, has seen us split the releases into two posts. Yesterday we dealt with the seven new maple-leaf themed coins and today it’s the final six. There’s a mix of the usual adorned coins, coloured coins, and Asian culture coins, so no big surprises, but a solid enough month regardless.

All are available to order now with prices ranging from $50 to almost $1,000.

Another nice coin in this fine series commemorating the key battles in the First World War in which Canadian troops participated. The selective gilding is expertly applied, especially on the very cool obverse, and the reverse design is full of implied motion.

DESIGN: The reverse design by Canadian artist Silvia Pecota poignantly conveys the bravery and tragedy of the Battle of Beaumont-Hamel where on the morning of July 1, 1916, the soldiers of the 1st Newfoundland Regiment participated in the first ground attack of the Somme Offensive. In the foreground, a young soldier advances in formation across No Man’s Land toward enemy lines. The battle-scarred terrain provides little protective cover for the soldiers, who are in full view of the enemy as they contend with the tangle of barbed wire defenses. The intensity of the artillery and machine gun fire that awaited the Newfoundlanders is evident throughout this intricately engraved scene, particularly in the foreground where the soldier assumes a slightly crouched stance while he courageously moves forward with his rifle and bayonet.

In the background, the gnarled appearance of the “Danger Tree” is particularly symbolic as its remnants marked the spot where the Newfoundlanders would face the most intense fire, and where so many of them would fall. Selective gold plating showcases the winged figure of “Victory” as it appeared on the Victory Medal, which was awarded to the allied soldiers of the First World War.

ARTIST: Silvia Pecota

PRICE: $109.95 CND

The eighth coin in this series running since 2009 it’s also the last. Struck in a lotus-shape like the much-admired lunars these are also quite popular we understand.

DESIGN: The reverse features a design by Canadian artists Chris and Rosina Reid in the distinctive artistic style of traditional Chinese paper cutting. The inspiring design centres on a monkey, whose curiosity and energetic ways are the embodiment of the desire to taste the flavours of a full and healthy life. In the monkey’s hand is a peach; this sacred symbol of longevity and immortality is regarded as the divine fruit of gods, and expresses a wish for a long life. The monkey is at the base of a peach tree, which is covered with eight additional peaches and nine peach blossoms—an auspicious number, as the number “9” is associated with royalty and has often been used in ancient Chinese art to convey best wishes and longevity.

Above and to the right of the monkey is a Chinese symbol that conveys the blessing of “health”. The face value “150 DOLLARS”, the year “2016”, the word “CANADA” and the Chinese characters for “CANADA” are all engraved within the outer band that frames the image field. The obverse features the effigy of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II by Susanna Blunt.

ARTIST: Chris and Rosina Reid

PRICE: $988.88

Another of the coloured nature coins that the RCM does well, this series commemorating the 100th anniversary of the Migratory Birds Convention, a partnership between Canada and the US to protect the populations of migratory birds that fly in the region. A good cause.

DESIGN: The reverse design by Canadian artist Claudio D’Angelo features a beautiful engraved portrait of an American avocet on its approach to a shallow marsh. Against the rolling foothills and the row of cottonwoods in the background, the avocet prepares to land amid the grasses that sway in the tranquil breeze. One of the shorebird’s long legs skims the surface of the water to slow its descent, creating a soft wake in this otherwise tranquil setting. The application of rich colour over the detailed engraving recreates the avocet’s defining characteristics: its dark, upturned bill; its cinnamon-coloured neck; the contrasting black-and-white colours of its back and wings; and the blue-grey legs that allow it to wade gracefully through shallow waters.

ARTIST: Claudio D’Angelo

PRICE: $99.95 CND

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