Description
This 2017 $20 fine silver coin introduces the first pairing of a gemstone-adorned butterfly on a fine silver coin. Each butterfly is meticulously positioned over an elaborately engraved floral pattern and features an array of precious and semi-precious gemstones (black sapphire, amethyst and rhodolite) that have been carefully applied by hand. Adding to its collectability, the mintage is extremely limited to just 4,000. As a pure silver coin struck by the Royal Canadian Mint, this item is HST/GST exempt.
The Design:
The highly stylized reverse design by Canadian artist Jori van der Linde offers a multi-dimensional approach to celebrating the luminous beauty of a butterfly. Inspired by daffodil flowers and curly pea vines, a contemporary floral pattern provides a fanciful garden setting that includes five-petalled flowers, floral buds, leaves and sweeping curly flourishes. All are meticulously engraved and well defined in a proof finish that enhances both the natural light and the sparkle of the butterfly. The jewellery-like addition catches the eye with its mix of semi-precious and precious gemstones, including: a round black sapphire as the butterfly’s head; four pear-shaped amethyst stones that add a violet-coloured accent to each wing; and an arrangement of rhodolite stones that add a rich, raspberry-red colour.
The Butterfly:
With sunlight spilling onto its colourful wings, the butterfly is arguably the winged jewel of the insect world. It is a timeless symbol of love, hope and change, and a thing of great beauty on the reverse of this fine silver coin, where a gamut of gems adds incomparable sparkle to a captivating butterfly.
