Description
To see a beaver in the wild is to glimpse at our nation's history and character, for no other species can lay claim to shaping Canada like the steadfastly industrious beaver! Its flat tail and rounded shape make Castor canadensis instantly recognizable, while its activities often alter the landscape around many of our lakes and waterways. More importantly, its once-coveted pelt steered the course of early Canadian history, when the fur trade was the main commercial enterprise and the driving force behind European exploration of this land.
Designed by Canadian artist Glen Loates, your coin captures the industrious nature of an official emblem of Canada, all in vibrant colour! One can imagine standing on the edge of a lake or paddling in a canoe, when nature's idyllic silence is interrupted by a sudden splash that draws our gaze towards a surprising sight: a partially submerged beaver paddling by with wooden reinforcement for its lodge. An overhead view allows for a careful examination of its muzzle, its rounded body shape, and the famously flat tail that provides balance on land and direction in the water. An outstanding attention to engraved detail is apparent in the motion conveyed by the rippled surface of the water, as well as the textured appearance of the aspen branch firmly held by the beaver's famously sharp teeth.