Nature and art soar from the Royal Canadian Mint's newest collector coins

OTTAWA, Aug. 12, 2013 /CNW/ - From its natural beauty to the vitality of its artistic and cultural communities, Canada's spirit is again captured on exciting new collector coins from the Royal Canadian Mint.  Majestic bald eagles, iconic caribou, a haunting barn owl and a fall canopy of maple trees complement a new perspective on Canadian contemporary art and the Chinese zodiac's Year of the Horse in celebrating the many layers of Canada's heritage.  These new products can now be ordered from the Mint.

"Nature, art and culture have long shaped Canadian identity and the Royal Canadian Mint is always proud to find new ways to celebrate these themes on our world-renowned collector coins," said Ian E. Bennett, President and CEO of the Royal Canadian Mint. "With a unique combination of handcrafting and innovative manufacturing techniques, the Mint's newest coins are unforgettable tributes to both our timeless icons and the spirit of modern-day Canada."

Canada's thriving art scene is represented by the work of Montreal's Carlito Dalceggio in the first of a new Canadian Contemporary Art series of fine silver coins. His piece entitled Harmony depicts the fusion of humanity and nature as an aspect of a definition of Canada. The enchanting creation on the reverse of this coin comes to life through the interplay of different coin finishes; each with its own degree of luster. As its design is also a circular narrative with no starting point, it can be admired from any angle.

Nature also takes centre stage through the continuation of several popular coin series.  The second Bald Eagle $20 face-value, 99.99% pure silver coin designed by nature artist Claudio D'Angelo features Lifelong Mates; a pair of bald eagles perched majestically on a rocky shoreline as they overlook their territory.  This coin also features contrasting finishes and unique edge lettering denoting its 1 oz. weight and fine silver composition.  Another favourite of bird lovers and coin collectors is the Birds of Canada series which continues its successful run with a striking image of a barn owl by artist Trevor Tennant.  This coloured 25-cent cupronickel coin is the 12^th in a series that has consistently sold out.

Artist Margaret Best's stark interpretation of a maple tree in late fall, accentuated by two coloured leaves drifting to the ground, is the subject of the second coin in the "Canadian Maple Canopy" series. This $20 face-value, 99.99% pure silver coin offers yet another perspective on a timeless Canadian icon.

An annual tribute to Canada's multiculturalism is renewed with a treasure trove of coins featuring the Chinese lunar calendar's Year of the Horse, whose symbolism of life, liberty and happiness, as well as its physical and mental agility, will be widely celebrated in Canada in 2014.

Various interpretations of the horse appear on no less than six new 2014-dated coins:

• a 99.99% pure gold kilo with a $2,500 face value;
• a fine silver (99.99% pure) kilo coin with a $250 face value;
• a $150 face-value, 99.99% pure gold coin;
• $15 and $10 face-value fine silver coins; and
• a $15 face-value fine silver Lunar Lotus, with an exceptional scalloped edge.

A fresh approach to a perennial favourite is the 2013 Silver Dollar Specimen Set.  Celebrating the 100^th Anniversary of the Canadian Arctic Expedition, the first-ever silver dollar with a specimen finish can only be found in this set featuring specimen versions of Canada's 2013-dated circulation coinage.

The Mint's latest release concludes with the O Canada series' tribute to the iconic caribou, featured on a $5 pure gold coin, and $10 and $25 fine silver coins.

Mintages, pricing and full background information on each product can be found on the "Shop" tab of www.mint.ca.

All of these products can be ordered directly from the Mint at 1-800-267-1871 in Canada, 1-800-268-6468 in the US, or online at www.mint.ca. The coins will also be available as of August 13, 2013 at the Royal Canadian Mint's boutiques in Ottawa, Winnipeg and Vancouver, as well as through our global network of dealers and distributors, including participating Canada Post outlets.

About the Royal Canadian Mint
The Royal Canadian Mint is the Crown Corporation responsible for the minting and distribution of Canada's circulation coins. An ISO 9001-2008 certified company, the Mint is recognized as one of the largest and most versatile mints in the world, offering a wide range of specialized, high quality coinage products and related services on an international scale. For more information on the Mint, its products and services, visit www.mint.ca

Images of the Mint's newest collection are available by visiting ftp://communications:[email protected].

SOURCE: Government of Canada