Description
This 2017 two coin set celebrates the 30th anniversary of one of the most iconic circulation coins. The two coin commemorative set features a pure silver edition of the classic “Loonie” design that graces the reverse of Canada’s $1 circulation coin. The second coin re-creates the coin’s intended one dollar design for the 1987 coin – had the dies not vanished. The mintage is limited to 10,000. As a pure silver coin issued by the Royal Canadian Mint, this coin is HST/GST exempt.
The Design:
The first coin features the design by Canadian artist Robert-Ralph Carmichael that has become synonymous with Canada’s currency: the iconic side-profile portrait of a common loon on a still lake, where it floats past the Group of Seven-esque trees rising up on a small island behind it. The entire scene is representative of the lakes that dot the Canadian Shield across much of the nation, and includes the engraved words “CANADA” and “DOLLAR”, along with the commemorative dates “1987-2017” to mark the 30th anniversary of Canada’s $1 circulation coin.
The second coin represents the one-dollar circulation coin that never was. Much as it appeared on Canada’s silver dollar between 1935 and 1986, the “Voyageur” design by sculptor and artist Emanuel Hahn is a nod to Canada’s early history and the fur trade era. A canoe moves swiftly past the wind-swept pines that dot a semi-circular island. A voyageur paddles at the stern, while an Aboriginal paddles at the bow; between them lies a bundle of wrapped furs, while stylized vertical rays above represent the Aurora borealis. The reverse also features the engraved words “CANADA” and “DOLLAR”, along with the commemorative dates “1987-2017”.
Both coins feature the effigy of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II by Susanna Blunt on the obverse.
