Description
Ultra high relief coins are a grand tradition within the numismatic, exonumic, and paranumismatic arts. These coins blend sculpture and coin design to create a coin whose relief image literally stands above its two-dimensional counterparts.
In the past, the Royal Canadian Mint has struck ultra high relief coins in silver. This 2012 $50 coin represents the Mint’s first-ever gold ultra high relief coin—and the world’s first such coin using 99.999% pure gold. Mintage is limited to 500 coins. HST/GST exempt.
The Design:
This amazing coin was created through a new minting technique that builds the apex of the gold relief image to the extreme heights usually found only in Medallic art, where dimensional images are created through the casting processes of sculpture. Striking gold into such high relief offers unique challenges and benefits resulting from the softness, malleability, and flow rate of gold. While the image design and coin minting processes must address a number of rigorous challenges driven by the properties of the gold, these properties themselves result in an image of extraordinary height and fluidity.
Featuring a lovely traditional profile effigy of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II to celebrate her Diamond Jubilee in 2012.
The year 2012 marks the Diamond Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II—a celebration around the world of the 60th anniversary of Her Majesty’s succession to the throne.
Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II:
On June 2, 1952, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II ascended to the thrones of England and the seven Commonwealth realms that recognized her as their head of state at that time, including Canada. As millions around the world watched her coronation in Westminster Abbey—the first televised British coronation—they could not know that they were witnessing the inauguration of a reign that would last well into the next millennium. Among British monarchs, Queen Elizabeth II is one of only two rulers in the history of Britain, Canada, and a number of other Commonwealth countries to have reached their sixtieth ruling year. Only Queen Victoria, in 1897, celebrated a Diamond Jubilee prior to Queen Elizabeth II.
Diamond Jubilee Celebrations around the world will acknowledge Queen Elizabeth II’s lifetime dedication and service to her subjects, to the Commonwealth, and to innumerable charitable causes.
