Description
Theme:
Historically, Native Masks were mainly used for ceremonial purposes. The tribes felt as though these masks were representative of animals, myths and spiritual creatures. The Royal Canadian Mint has recreated the “Grandmother Moon Mask” in ultra high relief to translate this beautiful hand carved mask into a fine silver coin.
Description:
This coin is certified to be 99.99% fine silver with a diameter of 30 millimetres and a metal weight of 33.33 grams.
Its reverse design is a faithful reproduction of the wooden mask that Richard Cochrane carved from a 58.4 cm (23 in) piece of old-growth Red Cedar retrieved from Stanley Park after the 2006 windstorm. Royal Canadian Mint engravers recreated the mask’s wood grain and preserved the two dark growth lines as well as the protective ring of eight New Zealand abalone shells.
To Richard Cochrane and many of the First Nations tribes, the moon is indeed a sacred symbol that appears in countless First Nations traditions. This Aboriginal artist was indeed inspired to represent his interpretation of “Grandmother Moon” smiling down at him and onto the earth. He cherished each moment of the two years that it took to create this master piece.
The obverse features the effigy of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II by Susanna Blunt.
Special Features:
- The engraved Moon Mask has been created with attention to detail even representing the wood grain of the Red Cedar that was used to carve the actual wooden Moon Mask.
- The ultra high relief provides an even more unique perspective onto the wonder and beauty of the art itself.
- This amazing coin was created through a minting technique that builds the apex of the silver relief image to the extreme heights usually found only in Medallic art, where dimensional images are created through the casting processes of sculpture.
Product Specifications:
Face Value:25 dollars
Mintage:6,000
Composition:99.99% fine silver
Weight (g):30.76
Diameter (mm):36.15
Edge:Plain
Finish:Proof
Certificate:Serialized
Artist:Richard Cochrane
Packaging:
Coin is encapsulated and presented in a Royal Canadian Mintbranded
maroon clamshell case lined with a black flock and
protected by a black sleeve.
Finished Packaging Size: 67 mm x 67 mm
Advertising Date: April 2, 2013
Launch Date: April 9, 2013
Complete Certificate Text:
The comforting glow of the moon
A full moon inspires awe and wonder in all those who gaze at it. Long before recorded history, cultures around the world
were charting the moon’s path across the night sky. Its perpetual waxing and waning, vanishing and reappearing, marked
the passage of time—not clock time, but the cycles of life; the ebb and flow of the sea; the birth, maturation and
migration of animals; the sprouting of new plants and the scattering of seeds.
Unlike the sun, the moon does not blaze its power upon the earth. It is subtle, more receptive and reflective. The moon
brightens the darkness and is therefore a powerful guide or protector—and as the force that rules the tides, it is strongly
linked to water.
The moon is a sacred symbol that appears in countless First Nations traditions. These ancient cultures often carved masks
to express the intimate relationship between the invisible forces above and the people, animals, plants, rocks and earth
below.
To the Muscoday First Nations of Saskatchewan, the moon is their protective grandmother, matron of the earth. She is
the one who pulls back the ocean tides to set the table and establish the mood. Richard Cochrane, a member of the Bear
Clan and renowned Aboriginal artist, carved a wooden mask of Grandmother Moon smiling with the gentle knowing of a
grandmother. Cochrane’s great-grandmother was the sister of Robert Bear, second chief of his band when it was known
as the John Smith Reserve. Carving the mask took two years. Says Cochrane, “You don’t rush Grandmother.”
