The Royal Canadian Mint is adding to its luxurious and exclusive Opulence Collection with new pure platinum coins featuring some of the world’s rarest pink diamonds from the famed Argyle mine.
Produced in extremely limited mintages, they are the latest Mint creations to incorporate pure platinum with rare pink diamons. The mint is offering two rare collectibles: the ten-ounce pure platinum pink diamond coin – the Beauteous- and the Harmonious two–ounce coin. The latest additions to the Opulence Collection were unveiled Sept. 6 at the Heffel Fine Art Auction House in Vancouver, B.C.
With a mintage of only 10, the Beauteus is 76 mm and weighs 311.53 grams with two carats total weight of pink diamonds.
“The tradition of excellence in all aspects of coin manufacturing, design and engineering have made us a true leader of the global minting industry, and we are delighted to elevate our reputation with new pure platinum and pink diamond coins from our exclusive Opulence Collection,” said Marie Lemay, the Mint’s president and CEO. “These dazzling works of numismatic art boldly demonstrate our people’s ability and passion for crafting unforgettable collectibles, which are qualities that transcend every coin produced by the Royal Canadian Mint.”
“Heffel is incredibly honoured to play a part in unveiling this exceptional collection from the Royal Canadian Mint, featuring exclusive pink diamonds from the Argyle Mine,” said auction house president David Heffel. “The diamonds featured in these masterpieces are among the rarest and most sought-after in existence, and we are thrilled to witness their journey into collections around the world.”
The 2023 10-ounce Beauteous, designed by artist Simon Ng and selectively plated with rose gold, features a sunburst arrangement of engraved cherry blossoms on its reverse. They are framed by a larger five-petalled flower formed by an array of pink diamonds from the Argyle mine, with a total carat weight of approximately 2.00. The cherry blossom theme continues on the obverse, which features a floral pattern, selectively rose gold plating and the effigy of Queen Elizabeth II by Susanna Blunt. With a face value of $1,250 the obverse bears a special device of four pearls symbolizing the four effigies that have graced Canadian coins and the double date of her reign. Only 10 of these 76-mm coins are available. It retails for $128,888.
Limited to 25 worldwide, the 42 mm 2023 Harmonious platinum coin features the work of artist Aries Cheung. Selectively plated with rose gold, the coin’s reverse consists of an engraving of a flowering cherry blossom tree, emblazoned by pink diamonds from the Argyle mine, with a total carat weight of approximately 1.00. Wiith a face value of $350, the obverse features a stylized cherry blossom pattern, selective rose gold plating and the effigy of Queen Elizabeth II by Susanna Blunt. It retails for $62,888.
With a mintage of only 25, the Harmonious is 42 mm and weighs 62.34 grams with one carat total weight of pink diamonds.
The diamonds adorning these coins were supplied by Vancouver’s Crossworks Manufacturing Ltd. and Beverly Hills Jewellers of Richmond Hill, Ont., manufactured its special settings. Candiac, Que., specialty wood packaging supplier Manubois, produced the piano-finish boxes in which these coins are presented.
For more details, visit the mint’s website.