Description
This 2018 $20 pure silver Snowy Owl coin takes a contemporary approach to design by merging a realistic depiction with one based on pure geometry. Canada’s most recognizable fauna are synonymous with a natural heritage that is an enduring source of pride for Canadians. With its snow-white plumage, the snowy owl is a hauntingly beautiful ambassador for our northerly climate. It is the second of three iconic species featured in the geometric art-themed series, which combines two distinctive art styles, low poly art and realism, to produce one contemporary design that conveys extraordinary depth and motion.
This unusual and visually striking coin weighs just over one ounce of pure silver with a large 40 mm diameter, and has a limited mintage of just 6,000 pieces. As a pure silver coin struck by the Royal Canadian Mint, this item is HST/GST exempt.
The Design:
The reverse design by Claude Thivierge provides a unique take on an enigmatic avian species. A colourful sunset provides the only hint of warmth in this colour-over-engraved winter scene, where the sky is ablaze with orange and yellow hues. The open field conveys a sense of stillness as the landscape slumbers beneath its snow cover, where engraved relief adds textural details that mimic rolling drifts and mounds. The only sense of movement comes from two enigmatic snowy owls, which are comprised of polygon shapes that define the low poly art style. Suddenly, one of the owls takes flight; flying close to the ground, the owl’s outstretched wings create the illusion of movement as it seemingly “shatters” the boundaries of the image and its geometric form, and smoothly transitions from abstract to realism. The word “CANADA”, the face value “20 DOLLARS” and the year “2018” are engraved along the rim that frames much of the reverse image. The obverse features the effigy of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II by Susanna Blunt.
