Description
Part of the Royal Canadian Mint’s popular series of 14-karat gold coins featuring the Coats of Arms of Canada’s 10 provinces and 3 territories. This $300 gold coin is 14 karat gold with a weight of 60 grams and a diameter of 50 millimetres.
The Design:
The Coat of Arms for Nunavut is Canada’s youngest Arms granted to its youngest territory by Governor General Roméo LeBlanc in 1999. It was created by Inuit artist Andrew Qappik in partnership with the Canadian Heraldic Authority and the elders and leaders of Nunavut to create a distinct blend of ancient Inuit symbolism and European heraldic tradition. Resting upon the shield is an igloo which was essential to survival and represents the traditional way of Inuit life and the modern gathering of legislative members. The territory’s status in Confederation is symbolized by the Royal Crown above. Holding the shield are a tuktu (caribou) and quilalugaq tuugaalik (narwhal), important wildlife that sustain the people. The motto is written in Inuktitut, which reads “Nunavut Sanginivut” (Nunavut our strength).
Nunavut:
Nunavut is the largest, northernmost, and newest territory of Canada; it was separated officially from the Northwest Territories on April 1, 1999. Nunavut is over two million square kilometres and is divided into three regions: Qikiqtaaluk (Baffin), Kivalliq and Kitikmeot. Nunavut makes up about 20 per cent of Canada's land mass. It includes seven of Canada's 12 largest islands and 67 per cent of the country's coastline.
The coat of arms of the territory of Nunavut was granted by a warrant of Roméo LeBlanc, Governor General of Canada, dated 31 March 1999, one day before the territory of Nunavut, Canada was created. The coat was designed in collaboration with Inuit elders, leaders, artists, groups, and the general population of the territory. Each symbol was chosen individually from the 800 submissions for the flag and coat of arms that were received. It contains symbols of the riches of land, sea and sky. Add this beautiful Canadian provincial Coat of Arms coin to your collection today.
