Description
The stargazers of ancient Greece referred to it as zōdiakos kyklos, the “circle of animals,” and the striking representation of the Zodiac on this coin was partly inspired by the marble statues of the Classical period. Meticulously sculpted in 99.99% pure silver and running counterclockwise in zodiacal order (“1” to “12”) around the Sun and Moon (centre), each of the 12 signs of the Zodiac is represented by a classical figure in the outer circle and a glyph in the inner portion, while touches of celestial colours speak to humanity’s endless fascination with the night sky. Mintage of 4000. HST/GST exempt.
The Design:
Enhanced with selective colour, the reverse design by artist Steve Hepburn features an engraved celestial illustration of the Sun and Moon surrounded by the 12 signs of the Zodiac. Inspired by classical Greek sculpture, the figures representing each sign on the outer circle are paired with their corresponding glyph in the second band, which is set against a colourful night sky, and these are numbered based on their zodiacal order (beginning at the top and moving in a counterclockwise direction): Aries (“1”), Taurus (“2”), Gemini (“3”), Cancer (“4”), Leo (“5”), Virgo (“6”), Libra (“7”), Scorpio (“8”), Sagittarius (“9”), Capricorn (“10”), Aquarius (“11”) and Pisces (“12”). The obverse features the effigy of Queen Elizabeth II by Susanna Blunt. The obverse also bears a special marking that includes four pearls symbolizing the four effigies that have graced Canadian coins and the double date of her reign.
