Description
The sweet scent of the Mayflower is the fragrance of spring in Nova Scotia. This wildflower blooms in April and May, when crowded clusters of tiny pink and white flowers appear on leathery leaves in forest glades. Mayflower is the third coin in the $3 fine silver series Floral Emblems of Canada. The Mintage is limited to 4,000. HST/GST exempt.
The Design:
The reverse design by Canadian artist Lisa Thomson-Khan features a stylized floral pattern on the outer ring, while the inner core features a colour portrait of the official floral emblem of Nova Scotia, the trailing arbutus or mayflower. The obverse features the effigy of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II by Susanna Blunt.
Mayflower – Nova Scotia:
Nova Scotia adopted the trailing arbutus or mayflower as its official flower in 1901, when an Act of the provincial legislature stated that it “is hereby declared to be and from time immemorial to have been the emblem of Nova Scotia.” As far back as 1825, it was used as a decorative motif on the front page of the Nova Scotian. During the 19th century, it appeared on the Nova Scotia tokens, and buttons of the Nova Scotia militia; it also appeared on postage stamps along with the rose, thistle, and the shamrock.
The delicate pink mayflower, blooming in the forest glades of early spring, signified Nova Scotia's coming of age. Blooming in the forest glades of early spring – the mayflower’s pink flowers are delicately scented, growing on stems from 15 to 30 centimeters long.
