This three piece set of 2014 $20 fine silver coins chronicles the life cycle of the fierce female cougar. Sightings of the cougar are rare as this secretive hunter passes through the landscape, making her the perfect subject to be captured on a coin. Each coin contains just over one troy ounce of fine silver, and is limited to a mintage of just 8,500 coins. As pure silver coins struck by the Royal Canadian Mint, this item is GST/HST exempt.  Coins are presented in a custom three coin display case.

The Design:

These coins use spectacular art and three different types of “technology” or finish to create a striking and complementary collection. The front of each coin features the word "CANADA," the date "2014," and the face value of "20 DOLLARS" is engraved along the rim of the coin. 

Cougar Atop a Mountain – classic engraved finish   

This coin, illustrated by Canadian artist Glen Loates depicts a female cougar as she stalks through a mountain pass. The cougar is seen in full-body detail, with each sinewy muscle in her powerful back legs, shoulders, and fore-paws beautifully highlighted

Cougar Perched in a Maple Tree – selective colour finish     

The striking illustration by Glen Loates portrays the elusive cougar as it stalks and crouches on the limb of a sturdy maple tree. Its impressive musculature is displayed magnificently through expert engraving and multiple finishes. The selective colour application makes the coin come to life as the cougar sits nestled between brightly-coloured autumn leaves. The reverse displays the words “CANADA”, the year “2014”, and the face value of “20 DOLLARS” around the rim. 

Cougar Pouncing in the Snow – selective gold plated finish    

The reverse design by artist Maurade Bayton features a female cougar leaping through the snow toward her prey. Viewed from the position of the prey animal, this portrait presents the cougar's most important hunting tools: her large, powerful fore-paws, highly muscular back legs, long counterbalance tail, strong shoulders for holding down prey, and sharp gaze. In a stylized landscape of snow-covered rocky terrain, she leaps with intense focus toward the viewer. The cougar is finished in gold plating to bring the intensity of the image to life.  

The Cougar:

Averaging 64kg (140lbs) in weight and up to 3 metres in length, the cougar is noted for its lithe musculature, long hind legs, and a tail that (at almost a metre long) acts as an important counterbalance for the impressive jumper. Cougars are known to disperse up to 1000km from their natal territory to establish their own hunting domains. They are predators of elk, deer, sheep, young moose, and a range of smaller and domesticated animals. Their most necessary requirements when choosing a dwelling are good cover, access to prey, and the privacy that allows the cougar to live the solitary life it enjoys. This solitary elusiveness, however, makes it very difficult for authorities to track and protect the creature.