The Royal Canadian Mint is known for turning history, science, and art into extraordinary collectible coins, and the 2025 $20 The Gilded Sundial Fine Silver Coin is no exception. This stunning piece doesn’t just celebrate the world’s oldest timekeeping device; it is one.
Crafted in 99.99% pure silver and accented with brilliant gold plating, this innovative coin features a functional sundial that truly works when placed under sunlight. A perfect fusion of form and function, it pays homage to centuries of human ingenuity and the timeless beauty of solar timekeeping.
Available now at Colonial Acres Coins, this limited-edition collectible invites you to “make time” for something truly remarkable.
A Tribute to Timekeeping Traditions
Long before the advent of clocks and digital watches, humans looked to the sky to track time. The sundial, one of civilization’s earliest timekeeping inventions, used the position of the sun to measure the hours of the day, a simple yet elegant concept that’s endured for millennia.
Sundials appeared in ancient Egypt as early as 1500 BCE and spread across cultures, evolving into ornate garden features and architectural landmarks. Despite technological advances, their appeal endures: they represent humankind’s quest to understand the universe, to measure time not by machines, but by the motion of the heavens.
The 2025 Gilded Sundial Coin honours this ancient tradition with a modern Canadian twist. It transforms the humble sundial into a work of precious metal artistry, a piece that both tells time and tells a story.
Design Details: A Functional Masterpiece in Fine Silver
Designed by Canadian artist Anna Bucciarelli, the reverse of this coin transforms a sheet of fine silver into a meticulously detailed, functional sundial.
At its centre stands a gold-plated brass gnomon, the angled pointer that casts a shadow to indicate time. When positioned in sunlight and aligned with true north, the gnomon’s shadow falls across engraved Roman numerals marking the hours from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m., recreating the centuries-old method of measuring solar time.
A Base of Engraved Elegance
The coin’s silver surface serves as the sundial’s ornate base, decorated with delicate acanthus leaves, a motif rooted in classical art and architecture. At the bottom, a stylized sunflower anchors the design, symbolizing warmth, energy, and the connection between earth and sky.
The sunflower isn’t just decorative as a heliotropic flower; it naturally turns to follow the sun’s movement, a perfect visual companion for a sundial.
The entire design gleams with selective gold plating, which highlights the gnomon, the sunflower, and other key features. Multiple levels of frosting and engraving give the design a dynamic, three-dimensional texture, blending timeless artistry with modern minting precision.
On the Obverse
The obverse features the effigy of His Majesty King Charles III, designed by Canadian artist Steven Rosati. Like the reverse, its outer rim is gold-plated, adding continuity and regal elegance to the coin’s overall aesthetic.
This is more than a static piece of art; it’s an interactive numismatic creation, merging science and design in a way few collectibles ever have.
How to Use the Gilded Sundial Coin
The 2025 Gilded Sundial Coin is not just beautiful, it’s functional. When placed on a flat surface in direct sunlight and aligned so that the gnomon points north, the coin operates as a genuine sundial.
As the sun moves across the sky, the gnomon casts a shifting shadow on the engraved numerals. The outer edge of the shadow reveals the approximate local solar time just as ancient civilizations once measured their days.
Because sundials measure solar time (not standard time), small adjustments may be needed depending on your location and the season. A reminder that this piece connects you directly to the rhythms of nature.
This interactivity is part of what makes the coin so special: it’s not only a collector’s item but a conversation starter, a teaching tool, and a living link between past and present.
A Historic Connection Close to Home
One of the oldest known sundials in Canada sits just steps from the Royal Canadian Mint’s Ottawa facility, at the corner of Bruyère Street and Sussex Drive. Built in 1851, this pair of vertical sundials served as Ottawa’s very first public timepieces, helping residents keep time long before wristwatches and cell phones existed.
By creating this coin, the Mint pays homage to that early example of craftsmanship and civic design, a fitting tribute to Canada’s history of precision and innovation.
The 2025 Gilded Sundial Coin continues that legacy, blending technology, artistry, and heritage into a collectible that literally brings light to the past.
A 3D Coin with Function and Flair
This coin stands out not only for its craftsmanship but for its originality. It combines several innovative features that elevate it beyond a traditional collectible:
- Functional Design: The coin doubles as a working sundial — a first for many collectors.
- 3D Gnomon: A gold-plated brass gnomon rises elegantly from the surface, giving the coin both depth and purpose.
- Rich Symbolism: Acanthus leaves and the sunflower reflect nature’s balance and humanity’s relationship with the sun.
- Historical Tribute: Connects directly to Canada’s early public timepieces.
- Limited Mintage: With only a few thousand available worldwide, demand will be high among collectors.
Each coin is encapsulated in a taller capsule to protect the gnomon while maintaining clear visibility of the intricate design, a thoughtful touch that speaks to the Mint’s attention to detail.
A Timeless Gift and Collector’s Treasure
For collectors, science enthusiasts, and history buffs alike, the 2025 Gilded Sundial Coin is more than a keepsake; it’s a celebration of human curiosity and creativity.
This coin makes a meaningful gift for milestones, anniversaries, or any occasion that calls for reflection on time’s passage. It’s also a standout display piece that captures light — literally in a way few coins can.
Every detail invites interaction: to tilt it toward the sun, watch the shadow fall, and remember that for thousands of years, people around the world have looked skyward to find their place in time.
Why Buy from Colonial Acres Coins
At Colonial Acres Coins, collectors will find not just coins but stories, each one carefully curated for its craftsmanship, beauty, and cultural value. With over 30 years of expertise, Colonial Acres is Canada’s trusted destination for Royal Canadian Mint coins, bullion, and collecting supplies.
Why collectors choose us:
- Authenticity Guaranteed: Every coin sourced directly from the Royal Canadian Mint.
- Extensive Selection: From limited-edition fine silver to gold and historical pieces.
- Canadian Expertise: Serving collectors nationwide since 1991.
- Secure Packaging: Coins arrive in mint condition, ready for display or storage.
Explore the 2025 $20 Gilded Sundial Fine Silver Coin and more Royal Canadian Mint collectibles at colonialacres.com.
Own a Piece of Time
The 2025 $20 Gilded Sundial Fine Silver Coin is where artistry meets innovation — a piece that literally brings time to life. With its working gold-plated sundial, classical motifs, and deep historical roots, this coin reminds us that while time always moves forward, great craftsmanship never fades.
Struck in 99.99% pure silver, highlighted with gold plating, and limited to a small global mintage, this coin is an investment in both beauty and meaning.
Make time to admire this extraordinary creation available now at Colonial Acres Coins, your trusted source for Royal Canadian Mint fine silver collectibles.
