Nature is an integral part of Canada’s national identity. Throughout its vast wilderness are species that tower above all others as iconic national symbols. These magnificent animals have shaped Canada’s character and reign as cornerstones in the rich cultural legacy of its Indigenous peoples. This new series honours five pillars of the Canadian wild. Each coin features a meticulously crafted sculpture mounted on its surface to bring unprecedented dimension, look and feel to its design—and what better species to place on such a pedestal for the first coin than the grizzly bear!
This is the first of a 2017 5-coin series that would be issued by the Mint. In 2017, the Mint will be issuing the following iconic animals to complete the set:
February – Cougar
April – Elk (includes the collector case)
June – Bighorn Sheep
September – Wolf
Coin Specifications
Mintage: 1,200
Composition: 99.9% pure silver with gold plating
Finish: proof
Weight (g): 315.71 (10.2 ounces of silver)
Diameter (mm): 65
Edge: serrated
Face value: 100 dollars
Artist: Karl Lansing (reverse), Susanna Blunt (obverse)
Image and description courtesy of the Royal Canadian Mint (http://www.mint.ca/store/coins/coin-prod2811352?lang=en_CA&sp_mid=15786783&sp_rid=bXNvdXphMTg2NkBnbWFpbC5jb20S1&spMailingID=15786783&spUserID=MzE0Mjg4MDY3ODcxS0&spJobID=900240197&spReportId=OTAwMjQwMTk3S0#.WBkgP9UrLIU)
