Canada's largest wild feline is a rare sight in the forests of Western Canada, but only because of its secretive nature. The third coin in our Canadian Mosaics series offers a chance encounter with a tan-coloured cougar on its reverse, where, even in mosaic form, the big cat is the image of agility and strength in the wild.

The reverse image by Jori van der Linde features Colour Mosaic technology, a combination of engraving and paint techniques that transform a traditional wildlife portrait into mosaic art. More than 130 individually engraved, differently shaped "tiles" combine for a close view of a cougar (Puma concolor) in a forest clearing, while engraved "grout" lines help capture the look of raised tiles. Different paint effects alter the intensity of each coloured segment, save for the polished surface of the coin that adds a shine to the trunks and branches of the tall trees. The obverse features the effigy of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II by Susanna Blunt.

THIRD coin in a limited series that puts a new spin on traditional wildlife portraits: Canadian icons re-interpreted as mosaic art.