Description
This low mintage one ounce $200 pure gold coin presents a striking contemporary wildlife portrait done in the distinct style of Northwest Coast art. The shapes form a visual language that dates back thousands of years, and it continues to capture the attention of art collectors and enthusiasts worldwide. Known as formline, it gives today’s artists a powerful basis to create arresting images that echo with the wisdom and skill of the past.
The sound of clashing horns can be heard throughout the mountains when bighorn rams vie for dominance — a powerful show of force that reverberates from this original coin design by renowned Kwakiutl artist Richard Hunt. The engraved lines and forms are both powerful and expressive, whether they’re enhanced with multiple finishes or multiple colours. The coin weighs one ounce of pure gold, and has a mintage limited to just 550. HST/GST exempt.
The Design:
The reverse design by Kwakiutl artist Richard Hunt features a shining sun surrounded by two engraved pairs of bighorn sheep. One is enhanced with multiple finishes, while the other is enhanced with colour. A ring of triangular mountain peaks frame the battling sheep, which bear the eagle crest of the artist’s village (Fort Rupert, B.C.) on their back and the raven crest of the artist’s father on their hooves. The obverse features the effigy of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II by Susanna Blunt.
Did You Know?
The bighorn sheep’s climbing abilities are second only to another member of the Bovidae family, the mountain goat, which prefers higher elevations. Those horns continue to grow throughout the sheep’s lifetime. While the ewe’s horns are smaller and only slightly curled, the ram’s horns may be 125 centimetres long and weigh more than its entire skeleton. Unlike the woolly domestic sheep, the bighorn sheep’s hair is coarse. It sheds its coat once a year during the summer months.
