Description
In a continuation of its many technical innovations and its constant quest to create collector coins that are also superb works art, the Royal Canadian Mint in 2011 introduced a series of coins combining the brilliance of sterling silver with the multiple colour characteristics of the element Niobium, to create one of the most interesting and visually striking coins produced anywhere in the world. The mintage of these coins is limited to just 7,500 each.
The Design:
This “Hunter’s Moon” coin is the second in a four coin “Calendar in the Sky” series. The design features a hunter patiently tracking his quarry, set in front of the full moon. The name “Hunter’s Moon” refers to a time in October, and reflects the fact that at this time the animals are fattened for winter and it is time for hunters to build their provisions for the cold months ahead—a venture of patience and strength inspired by the ever-changing cycle of life. The rich iridescent gold colour is achieved through the niobium component of the coin, which can be oxidized to achieve many different effects. The coin is encapsulated and presented in a maple wood flip case, lined with flock and protected by a black sleeve.
The Theme:
In North America, the First Nations tribes that comprise the Algonquin people looked to the moon to track time. They assigned a name to every full moon to reflect the seasonal activities that accompanied each cycle. Theirs was a vast territory that extended from Lake Superior to the eastern seaboard, resulting in a variety of names throughout the Algonquin community. The buck, hunter, wolf and pink full moons represent summer, autumn, winter and spring.
