There are plenty of reasons to feel negative during a pandemic, but like most things in life, there can be positive outcomes, too.
There are two sides to every coin, as it were, and looking back at past pandemics, beneficial changes have come about in even the direst circumstances.
It will be no different with COVID-19. Whether it’s strengthening communities, improving public health, exposing gaps in the social system or limiting harmful pollution, this series of unfortunate events can also provide lasting positive legacies.
MEDAL THEMES
The outpouring of support for healthcare and other frontline workers is one of the most obvious positive aspects of the pandemic.
This theme of support – or thanks – could be the focus of a submission in the COVID-19 medal design contest launched by CCN earlier this month.
The one-ounce, 38-millimetre medal will feature the contest winner’s design on the reverse and a Trajan-themed design on the obverse. To be struck by the Mississauga Mint with a proof-like finish, the medal’s 3D design elements will feature a cameo (frosted) appearance against mirror-like fields. Fewer than 500 medals will be struck in three compositions, including silver, nickel and brass.
Other positive aspects of the pandemic include:
- more time to spend with immediate family as well as on hobbies, including numismatics;
- an unprecedented decrease in air pollution as major cities and transportation ground to a halt (enough to save tens of thousands of lives);
- a decline in car accidents and street crime (in Toronto and Calgary), including assaults and robberies; and
- increased innovation, including social technology and vaccine development that improve people’s quality of life.
The medal’s obverse (shown) will feature a Trajan-themed design.
SEPT. 11 DEADLINE
The contest is open to the public. Anyone can submit a design for the reverse of the medal using the following rules and guidelines.
Entries must be received by the committee no later than midnight on Sept. 11. Each entry must represent only one design; however, there is no limit to the number of entries that can be submitted by the same person. Submissions can be made physically or electronically.
The winning designer will be notified by Sept. 15 and receive a $300 gift certificate for Coin & Stamp Supplies – a division of Trajan Publishing – plus a silver medal featuring the winning design.
The winner will also be featured in a story highlighting the medal in a future issue of CCN.
For more information, including full rules and guidelines, visit canadiancoinnews.com/2020designcompetition.