Animals

The arctic wolf (Canis lupus arctos) is well suited to winters in Canada’s Far North, thanks in part to a double-layer coat that insulates it against the cold. The distinctive colouring of its pelt provides effective camouflage and allows our wolf...

In 1927, three circulation coin designs were chosen to commemorate Confederation’s Diamond Jubilee; alas, they never made it onto a single coin. Ninety years later, the Royal Canadian Mint is re-visiting some of Canada’s coin lore:...

Born on the rivers of China, dragon boat racing is at the heart of a 2,000-year-old cultural tradition that is steeped in folklore, and full of colourful pageantry. Ultra-high relief engraving brings the Chinese dragon to life on the reverse, which...

A mighty icon of Canada’s majestic wilderness, the grizzly (Ursus arctoss) is a cornerstone of its ecosystem; a master in its habitat; and an omnivorous contributor to nature’s delicate balancing act. Though berries and plants comprise a...

Experience Canada’s re-awakening in the spring! Once winter eases its hold, there’s a sense of new beginnings and renewed activity across the landscape, where the warming air seems to draw one and all out of our winter cover—including...

Savour the mystery of a full moon, and the rare and privileged sights that may be experienced under its radiance with this enchanting coin that brings you a sublime moment that outdoor enthusiasts can only dream of—a face-to-fur encounter with the...

Like a puzzle with a missing piece, it’s hard to imagine Canada without many of its most iconic species, including the woodland caribou (Rangifer tarandus caribou); sadly, this majestic mammal joins other Canadian creatures that are classified as...

A cougar walks along the shoreline of the Pacific Coast. Snow is rare here, but when it does fall, the effect is pure magic—a wondrous scene of enigmatic shadows and radiant light that comes to life with the exceptional colouring techniques on this...

The beaver and the maple leaf are the defining images of a nation: one speaks of the past, when the fur trade helped shape a nation; the other predates the flag as an emblem of this land, its people, and our hope for the future. The Royal Canadian Mint...

Steady on its feet, the majestic polar bear (Ursus maritimus) uses its large paws to move through the changing landscape—be it deep snow, Arctic waters, or over thin ice. This fine silver coin walks in the footsteps of North America’s largest...

Famous for its winter hibernation, the woodchuck (Marmota monax) ventures out of its underground burrow during the warmer months to sun itself or find food; but when it’s not eating, the woodchuck (or groundhog) is typically caring for its young...

Squirrels and oak trees go together like picnics and parks, and this coin features a furry onlooker scrutinizing the fun from above. Was it tidying up its nest, hiding food for its winter cache? What was the squirrel doing before its busy day was...