Description
This 2016 $20 fine silver coin continues the extremely popular “Baby Animals” series, and features a classic Canadian icon, the woodchuck with its offspring. Mintage is limited to just 5,500 coins. The coin is struck in .9999 fine silver and weighs just over one ounce. As a pure silver coin struck by the Royal Canadian Mint, this item is GST/HST exempt.
The Design:
The reverse design by Canadian artist Michelle Grant features colour over the engraved portrait of a young woodchuck in its native environment. Barely two months old, the young is weaned from its mother’s milk and has ventured out of its underground burrow to sample nearby grasses and wildflowers. The application of selective colour captures the young woodchuck’s likeness, particularly the texture and dark colour of its fur. Placing its weight on its hind feet, the pup sits upright and uses its clawed forepaws to bring a flower to its mouth for a tentative nibble! The use of colour also draws the eye to the surrounding vegetation, where alfalfa and yellow clover offer up a veritable feast for this youngster. To the left, detailed engraving depicts a protective mother keeping a watchful eye on her young from the opening of the burrow, which is surrounded by grass and dirt at the foot of a large boulder. Also engraved on the reverse are the word “CANADA”, the face value “20 DOLLARS” and the year “2016”. The obverse features the effigy of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II by Susanna Blunt.
