The Royal Canadian Mint is donating the proceeds of this year’s gold and silver pysanka coins to Ukrainian relief,
“For the past 7 years, the Mint has proudly honoured the richness of Ukrainian culture and artistry in Canada with a best-selling series of pysanka-themed collector coins.” the Mint stated on its Facebook page. “This year, all net proceeds from the sale of our gold and silver pysanka coins will be donated to the Canadian Red Cross Ukraine Humanitarian Crisis Appeal.
The Mint stated that the donations will help meet the humanitarian needs of the Ukrainian people.
In 2016, the Mint released its first egg-shaped coin honouring the 125th anniversary of Ukrainian settlement in Canada.
“With its handcrafted beauty and intricate patterns, a pysanka is one of the most beloved forms of traditional Ukrainian folk art,” stated the description of the 2016 pysanka. “This carefully decorated Easter egg is a veritable treasure trove of symbolism, where each motif and colour carries a deeper meaning that bestows a special blessing upon its recipient. The creative process itself is a time-honoured ritual, a tradition that predates Christianity and has been lovingly passed down from one generation to another. The pysanka egg, in all of its colourful splendour, remains an artistic celebration of life and rebirth, a blessed token of esteem, and a powerful protective emblem—for it is said that as long as pysanky are made, good will continue to prevail over evil.”
The Mint will be releasing the 2022 gold and silver pysankas on March 8.