Description
This innovative set of four fine silver $3 coins represents the Four Elements believed since the time of the ancient Greeks to be the pillars of life: Earth, grounding and nourishing; Air, always in motion; Fire, provider of heat and light; and Water, constantly flowing. They are the cornerstones of our natural world. And they are especially significant in a nation like ours, with an identity that is so strongly tied to nature. Mintage of this coin is limited to only 2,000. GST/HST exempt.
The Design:
Designed by artist Rebecca Yanovskaya, the four-part reverse image ties together the four elements within a circle that represents a continuous circle—Canada’s past, present and future. Each quadrant is named (in English and in French) for an elemental energy, with all four elements bleeding into the other:
FIRE with red leaves features the comforting glow of a campfire that symbolizes heat and light, and maple leaf-shaped flames that represent pride burning in the hearts of Canadians.
AIR with gold leaves is represented by the warm chinook that descends the eastern slopes of the Rocky Mountains, and the winds that provide lift for our migratory bird species.
EARTH with brown leaves features the forests, rocks and fields that are the foundation of this land.
WATER with green leaves is represented by a fast-flowing river filled with salmon to symbolize the fisheries.
The completed circle is framed by the maple leaves in red, gold, brown and green. Each reverse includes the engraved word “CANADA” and the year “2019”. Each obverse features the face value “3 DOLLARS” and the effigy of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II by Susanna Blunt.
