The Royal Canadian Mint marked the 150th anniversary of the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada (RASC) with a $20 Fine silver coin featuring a genuine meteorite fragment.
The vividly illustrated coin—unveiled today at a ceremony in Toronto attended by RASC officials and former Canadian astronaut Dave Williams—is now available for purchase.
“One hundred and fifty years of research, education and discovery by the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada is an engaging story to share with Canadians,” said outgoing Mint President and CEO Sandra Hanington, who announced her sudden resignation last month after only three years of a five-year term.
“It is only fitting that RASC’s many scientific achievements be recognized on a vividly coloured coin, which breaks barriers of its own by featuring a shard of a real meteorite.”
REVERSE DESIGN
Designed by Canadian artist Alexandra Lefort, the reverse of the $20 silver coin features a deep space vista enhanced by engraved textural details and full colour. Prominent design elements include the Eagle Nebula and its pillars of interstellar gas and dust, which are known as the “Pillars of Creation.” Also featured on the coin are the Moon, the Andromeda Galaxy (nearest to our own Milky Way Galaxy) and a blazing meteorite enhanced by a genuine iron meteorite fragment from the Campo del Cielo meteorite field.
“The RSAC is excited to be celebrating our 150th anniversary with the issuance of a coin that symbolically depicts the important contributions of Canadian astronomers,” said RASC Executive Director Randy Attwood.
For more information, visit mint.ca.