Description
Intricately rendered in pure gold these 2013 five Canadian animal icons are undeniable touchstones of the majestic land and its wildlife. These are the scenes that plumb the depths of Canada's own pride in itself, the great nation that is Canada! Mintage for this set is 4,000. HST/GST exempt.
The Designs:
Beaver:
Portrait of a swimming beaver. Viewed in profile from its right side, the beavers face fills the central field. The unique distinctive small ears, eyes, and nose (all adapted for an underwater, aquatic lifestyle) rise above the water in which the beaver is mostly immersed. The mat of thick, well-groomed fur and whiskers are rendered in fine detail. Its clawed forepaws deftly clutch a small branch which the beaver readily chews for sustenance.
Polar Bear:
Canadian artist Pierre Leduc presents the engraved full face portrait of a polar bear against the background of a frozen, wind-swept, snow-crusted environment stretching out to the horizon. The artist’s image details with stunning effect the polar bear’s small ears, fur-ringed eyes and thick fur. Its distinctive black nose and eyes stand out in sharp contrast to its shaggy light-colored body. The coin’s design presents an outer polished
border framing the entire image within an inner field.
Wolf:
The reverse design presents a portrait of the neck and face of a wolf. Presented in three-quarter profile, he looks alert as he stands beside the waters edge. The reverse also features a stylized wolf paw print.
Caribou:
The reverse design presents a portrait of the neck, face, and antlers of a male caribou. Presented in three-quarter profile, the male gazes directly at the viewer, his right eye and ear, specialized muzzle, and well-furred powerful neck presented to stunning effect. Atop his head, we see the lower portion of his sizeable, multi-branched antlers. In the background we see a rugged, stony valley dotted with pines and bisected, on the right side of the image, by a zig-zagging river. In the far distance, mountains rise to meet the horizon. The reverse also features a stylized caribou hoof print.
Orca:
Your coin was designed by Canadian artist Pierre Leduc and portrays a three-quarter profile portrait of an orca emerging from the water, seeming to gaze at the viewer with the curiosity of a wise and intelligent species. Its two pectoral fins jut forward, helping the orca keep its large head above water. Around it rise whitecapped waves of
splashing water. In the background, we see the tall, straight dorsal of a mature male, curved large dorsal of a female, and small curved dorsal of an orca calf in the distant waters—members, no doubt, of this beautiful animal's family group or pod. In the distance, the shoreline of Canada's Northwest Pacific coast is visible, with its rugged
outcroppings and tall evergreens.
