As Canadians from coast to coast reflect on what the country means to them in the year of its 150th anniversary, the Royal Canadian Mint has released a new silver collector coin, “Heart of Our Nation.”
Teeming with iconic symbols of Canadiana, including landmarks, wildlife and artifacts, this 99.99 per cent pure silver coin defines Canadian culture. It’s priced at $19.95 and is on sale as of today, Feb. 15.
“The Government of Canada is delighted that the Royal Canadian Mint is adding to the celebration of Flag Day 2017 with the launch of a new Canada 150-themed silver coin that honours the Canadian flag and many other icons that connect us all to Canada,” said the Honourable Melanie Joly, Minister of Canadian Heritage. “As Canada 150 brings Canadians together in a year-long celebration, the Mint’s Heart of our Nation collector coin is an uplifting and precious way to be reminded of the many ways we love our country.”
| Composition | 99.99 per cent pure silver |
| Finish | Specimen |
| Weight | 7.96 grams |
| Diameter | 27 millimetres |
| Edge | serrated |
| Certficate | not serialized |
| Face Value | $3 |
| Artist | Steve Hepburn (reverse) Susanna Blunt (obverse) |
“The Mint has a proud tradition of celebrating Canadian heritage through coins and we are excited to add to the celebration of Canada 150 through an extensive coin program that meets the needs of all collectors,” said Sandra Hanington, president and CEO of the Royal Canadian Mint.
“The new Heart of our Nation collector coin is an opportunity to give Canadians of all ages a way to hold onto their special memories of Canada 150, as well as experience the joy of coin collecting.”
Accomplished artist and coin designer Laurie McGaw from Guelph, Ont., has created a fun and inspiring collage of unmistakably Canadian symbols. Clockwise from the top, these symbols include: hockey sticks and puck, snowflakes, polar bear, inukshuk, Parliament Hill, Canadian flag, maple syrup, lighthouse, lobster traps, toboggan, Canada goose, canoe, beaver, moose, black spruce tree, Beaver plane, salmon, wheat, cowboy boot, mountains. The elements are roughly placed in an east/west/north/south orientation to reflect their location on a Canadian map. Together, they encircle a maple leaf that is the heart of the design. The words “150 YEARS/ANS” are also engraved.